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Home Owners Urged to Take Extra Care
When we take out any form of insurance, we might be doing so because we fear a range of incidents occurring, from theft and damage of items to structural damage.
However, one way in which both of these areas comes under great threat is through fires. In a recent press release from Aviva Insurance, they cite statistics released from the Association of British Insurers that shows a rise in fire claims from early 2007 to early 2009.
It means that the costs associated with fire damage are now at an all time high, with figures at their greatest amount since records began.
However, whilst these statistics are worrying enough on their own, more shocking is the report that many of the fire claims on home insurance are as the result of arson attacks on property.
“Fire claims are at their highest and we are seeing an increasing number of arson claims crossing our desks” said Allister Smith of Aviva, “Over 40% of all fires in industry and commerce are now started deliberately [according the figures from claims in 2009]”
He warns home and, in particular, business owners to be vigilant against such attacks. He cites a common cause of arson being waste storage outside of properties, where arsonists have been known to ignite bins and place them up against or near the property.
A range of preventative measures are encouraged by the insurer, ranging from businesses isolating electricity supplies to ensuring regular inspections are carried out on vacant or unfinished properties.
“Property owners should undertake risk management by implementing a number of cost effective measures.
“The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005 (RRO) emphasises that the owner or employer in every workplace has a legal responsibility for implementing and complying with the Order. Businesses should have a strategy in place for managing fire safety, which includes identifying the risk of arson and acting to reduce it.”
Aviva cites statistics that claim 9,000 fires take place in empty buildings annually and damage caused the properties that are yet to be finished or generally unoccupied, are of great concern to insurance providers.
So having home insurance or any other form of insurance does not mean that people should not take necessary preventative measures to protect their property. With fire a serious threat, people should be very careful.
Source: Aviva Press Release Sept 2009