As Election Day approaches, Connecticut businesses are being warned to prepare for possible “civil unrest.” Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. sent an email to its policyholders last week warning that some political demonstrations “could result in costly losses for unprepared companies.”

The message emphasized that while most gatherings and protests were peaceful, the risk of escalation was real. For business owners, this could mean serious financial and operational implications.

The insurance giant called on companies to proactively protect their properties, citing several of them Steps to help protect their assets and livelihoods.

“The more time to prepare, the better,” The Hartford advised, adding, “As a best practice, every organization should have an emergency response plan tailored to its individual needs and risks.”

The company also encouraged business owners to pay attention to local events and news; to protect items within buildings and reinforce entry points, including doors, windows and roof access; and, among other precautionary measures, to be aware of flammable materials and hazardous items around the premises and either remove or secure these items to minimize the risk of fire.

Outside the building, The Hartford's asked businesses to secure and/or remove any items that could cause damage to windows and vehicles and to ensure all exterior lighting is operational, which can be a deterrent at night. In addition, the company suggested checking fire and burglar alarm systems to ensure they are working properly to increase security.

To prevent possible break-ins, The Hartford urged retailers to lock or move valuable items, especially those that are easy to transport and resell, which can prevent unnecessary losses if a crowd becomes unruly. Business owners are also advised to secure sensitive customer and employee data and temporarily relocate personally identifiable information (PII) when possible to avoid data breaches or accidental destruction.

Hartford's checklist also includes important preparations for equipment and backup systems. Testing generators, emergency lighting, and other critical equipment now could prevent costly disruptions later. For businesses that may need to evacuate, creating a detailed plan that includes safe exits, established roles for employees, and clear instructions following an incident can help ensure employee safety and clarify expectations.

In addition to these internal measures, The Hartford also suggested coordinating with suppliers and instructing them to postpone deliveries if the area becomes a war zone and setting policies to notify employees when they can return to work.

Echoing The Hartford's concerns, Attorney General William Tong and 50 other attorneys general issued a statement opinion on Monday (11/11) 4) and stated: “Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s election, we expect Americans to respond peacefully and we condemn any acts of violence related to the results.”

The group added: “We call on every American to vote, engage in civil discourse and, above all, respect the integrity of the democratic process,” the attorney general said.” He emphasized that “violence has no place in the democratic process.”

According to the email, businesses with property insurance under The Hartford's business insurance policy are “generally” insured against losses related to property damage and business interruption due to civil unrest.