LV= General Insurance (LV= GI) has issued a warning about the effects of extreme heat and the impacts this could have on homes across the UK in the future.
The warning comes following an increase in both fire and subsidence related claims, both of which have increased due to the weather.
LV= GI is currently dealing with claims costs totalling £1.2m following the extreme heat and fire related incidents between 17-20 July.
The majority of claims were caused by a fire starting in a nearby open area or heathland which spread into homeowners’ gardens.
Many claims involve the loss of garages, fences, greenhouses, sheds and tools, garden furniture, and decking as well as lost trees, shrubs and flowers. Devastatingly, 8% of claims involved the total loss of a home.
In one case, a mirror which had been discarded and left in the garden was the cause for the fire related incident.
The sun’s rays reflected off the mirror and onto a wheelie bin, which subsequently caught fire and spread across the garden and back of the house. In other cases, compost heaps also helped fuel the fire, because of its highly flammable substance.
Fire claims aren’t the only peril to increase due to the heat, and LV= GI is gearing up for a subsidence peak year too.
Between June and July this year alone, subsidence cases have risen 205%. With hose pipe bans on the horizon and the soil already incredibly dry, August could see a spike similar to 2018 where claims rose 51% from the previous year due to exceptionally hot weather.
Currently, soil moisture deficit is at the same levels seen in 2018, which could result in properties sinking because the soil is unstable. LV= GI analysis also indicates that southern and central England have had lower rainfall levels in 2022 than 2018.
Sarah Smith, head of home underwriting at LV= General Insurance, said: “We’re really starting to see the effects of climate change and the impact this is having on homes – whether that be storm, flood, fire or subsidence claims – which have all risen in recent years depending on the season.
“This summer we’ve really seen the effects of extreme heat, even from leaving items out in the garden which in usual conditions you wouldn’t expect to catch fire.
“As a country we’re going to need to adapt and ensure existing houses are better protected, as well as really consider the locations planned for new houses which may be in areas more prone to events such as fires starting and spreading rapidly.”
