Small companies in London that had to shut yesterday due to the G20 protests can claim money back for any damage on their property and for any loss of business if operations were interrupted after damage was caused.

The insurance company Axa have estimated that between £300m to £500m will be lost by business in London this week due to the disruption caused by the protests.

"The vast majority of these losses will be to small businesses who opened and still had costs to cover," said David Williams, managing director of claims for Axa.

For many small businesses the protests have occurred at a time when they cannot afford to lose any trade.

"At a time when firms are fighting for survival, the additional cost of having to shut up shop for a few days because of fear of being targeted by protestors is the last thing struggling businesses need," said Martin Broughton, president of the Confederation of British Industry.