Reduce Fire Risk for Home Insurance Savings

Reduce fire risk for home insurance savings

It could be as simple as a dropped cigarette or some grease left to bubble on a hob for too long, but fires in the home do happen and they pose a major risk - they can cause massive damage both emotionally and financially.

Despite the risks however, research from home insurance provider Halifax shows that two in five Brits are failing to check their homes for fire hazards. To make matters worse, more than two thirds (68 per cent) said they would panic and not know what to do if a fire occurred.

Of course it is possible to protect yourself against the financial risk of fire damage through home insurance. However, almost half of all Brits (48 per cent) could lose everything as they admit they don’t know what their home insurance covers them for in the event of a blaze.

How home insurance can help after a fire?

Unfortunately there are many sentimental items that simply cannot be replaced - such as family heirlooms or photographs - which is why preventing a fire is so important. However, home insurance can certainly lift some of the financial burden.

According to the Halifax research, the items Brits would most like to save in the event of a blaze are:

1. Handbag or wallet
2. Family photos
3. Mobile phone
4. Home computer
5. Childhood items
6. Jewellery
7. Family heirlooms
8. Clothes
9. DVDs and CDs
10. Wii or other games console

Among these items, the majority could be replaced with a home insurance policy. Most insurers now offer "new for old cover" in which you get a brand new item to replace the previous version.

However, in order for a home insurance company to offer a payout in the event of a claim you must keep your policy up-to-date. Ensure you check your policy regularly and include any new items - such as Christmas or birthday presents - as part of your list. With Christmas approaching it’s worth seeing if your insurer will offer additional cover over the festive period for any items you buy.

How to prevent a fire-related home insurance claim?

In addition to wanting to protect sentimental items, there are financial incentives to avoiding a fire-related claim too. Any claim on your home insurance will automatically wipe out your no-claims bonus, which means your premiums will increase.

So how can you avoid a fire in the home?

The first step should be to install a smoke detector. This won’t prevent the fire, but early detection could allow you to control it before it gets out of hand. If you already have smoke detectors in place make sure they are checked regularly - just press the button to see if the batteries are in working order.

Carry out regular checks on gas systems and be on the lookout for faulty valves, leaks or items that could cause obstruction. You should also pay close attention to your kitchen appliances to ensure they are working properly and that there is nothing that could prevent them from working safely. Indeed all electrical items, including plugs, sockets, fuse boxes, wires and cords should be checked regularly and maintained. If you are concerned about any gas or electrical problems then don’t wait around - call an expert immediately and have them investigate the situation.

If you have any fires within your home, ensure they are extinguished before you leave the room. This could be a cigarette, a burning candle, an oil lamp or an open flame - never leave a fire unattended.

Spend some time with your children and teach them about the importance of staying away from a fire and never playing with lighters or matches. A large portion of home blazes are caused by child-related accidents and not all insurers will offer a payout if you are found to be negligent in the build-up to the blaze.

Should the worst happen it’s important to have a plan in place. Plan an emergency exit route and ensure the family is familiar with the idea. You may wish to have a separate plan if the fire occurs while you are upstairs and prevents stair access. Leave a mobile phone near your exit route at night, or be aware of where the nearest phone access may be - whether at a neighbor's house or a public phone booth - to ensure you can make a quick call to the emergency services.

From there, you’ll need a complete home insurance policy to save the day and get you back on track. Check your policy for any fire related exclusions and if necessary compare home insurance online to find a more suitable deal.

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