The Intermediary – July 2025 - Flipbook - Page 59
P RO T E C T I O N
Opinion
Hot summers show
that the right home
insurance matters
I
n the UK, hot weather is
usually greeted with open
arms, but rising temperatures
can bring more than just
sunshine. As each summer
gets hoer, the risk of heatrelated home fires and damage
increases. From spontaneous
combustions to exploding aerosols,
many homeowners are unaware of
how vulnerable their property can
be during extreme heat. Even more
concerning, many don’t realise
what their home insurance may or
may not cover.
Wennington Wildfire
One of the most dramatic examples
of heat-induced home destruction
occurred on 19th July 2022 in
Wennington, East London.
On one of the UK’s hoest days on
record, a fire quickly spread across
parched grass and gardens and
engulfed nearly 20 homes. The blaze
was so severe that the London Fire
Brigade declared it a major incident.
Many families were evacuated and
le with nothing but the clothes on
their backs. Entire homes were lost.
Some homeowners had buildings
and contents cover that would
eventually help with rebuilding,
but others discovered gaps in their
policies – especially around limits and
exclusions – or experienced delays in
the claim handling process.
Less obvious danger
While wildfires and spontaneous
combustion might sound like
extremes, the truth is that heat-related
home fires can happen.
Take aerosol cans, for example.
In several reported incidents,
homeowners have experienced
explosions when pressurised cans –
such as deodorants, air fresheners,
or cleaning sprays – were le on
windowsills or in conservatories
during high temperatures. In one case,
a can exploded through a window,
triggering a fire and extensive
property damage.
These types of accidents are rarely
considered when buying home
insurance, but the consequences
can be costly. As a minimum, home
insurance should protect your client
against fire and storm damage.
STEPHANIE DUNKLEY
is development director
at Safe&Secure
However, not all policies are created
equal. Here’s what you should check:
Buildings insurance: Covers the
structure of the home and should
include protection against fire,
subsidence, and explosions.
Contents insurance: Covers
belongings inside the home, from
furniture to electronics and should
protect against accidental fire or
heat-related damage.
Accidental damage cover (optional):
A valuable add-on that can cover
unexpected incidents.
While insurance provides peace
of mind, prevention is also key,
especially during very hot weather.
Clients should: store flammable items
safely and out of direct sunlight; check
garden waste – compost piles and dry
leaves can ignite in hot weather; look
for cracked roof tiles, exposed felt,
or warped fixtures; trim overgrown
shrubs and grass; and don’t leave
appliances running unaended.
Final thoughts
As UK summers heat up, so do the risks of fire damage and insurance gaps
With hoer, drier summers becoming
more common in the UK, it’s time to
stop thinking of fires and heat damage
as ‘freak events’. They’re happening
more oen – and closer to home than
many realise.
At Safe&Secure, based in Derby
and serving customers across the
UK for over 25 years, we understand
that home insurance isn’t just about
ticking boxes. It’s about making you’re
your clients are protected when it
maers most. ●
July 2025 | The Intermediary
59
