Aviva Data Reveals Spike in Fire-Related Claims During November Celebrations

Aviva Data Reveals Spike in Fire-Related Claims During November Celebrations

(IN BRIEF) Aviva is warning the public to exercise caution during Bonfire Night celebrations after a significant increase in claims for fire-related damage in November. The insurer’s data shows a 300%ⁱ rise in claims compared to October of last year. Reported incidents include damage to sheds from unattended bonfires, ash damage to vehicles from bonfire embers, and even a conservatory roof melting after being hit by a firework, resulting in a £234,000 claim. Aviva also noted interior damage, such as scorched carpets and blown-off letterboxes caused by fireworks. Pets spooked by fireworks led to claims for broken gadgets, with the largest claim reaching £2,324. Hazel Johnson, Director of Home and Motor Claims at Aviva, advised taking precautions to ensure safety, including storing garden furniture, watching for stray fireworks or embers, and keeping pets indoors. Aviva provided a list of dos and don’ts for safe Bonfire Night celebrations.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 1-Nov-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Aviva plc (LON: AV), a British multinational insurance company, is urging the public to exercise caution during the festivities as Bonfire Night approaches. Aviva’s data reveals a surge in claims for fire-related damage caused by bonfires, fireworks, and sparklers in November, with a 300% increase in claims compared to October last year. Reported claims encompass incidents such as fire damage to a shed from an unattended bonfire, ash damage to vehicles due to bonfire embers, and a conservatory roof melting after being struck by a firework, resulting in a £234,000 claim. Aviva also noted damage to interiors, including scorched carpets and blown-off letterboxes due to fireworks. Additionally, pets spooked by fireworks led to claims for broken gadgets, with the largest claim amounting to £2,324.

Hazel Johnson, Director of Home and Motor Claims at Aviva, commented:

“While Bonfire Night is usually a time of celebration, for some people the night can quite literally go up in smoke. Aviva claims data shows that we tend to see an increase in home insurance claims for fire damage across November, with Bonfire Night topping the table for incidents of fire.

“It isn’t just rogue fireworks or out of control bonfires where the risk lies. Several claimants report fire damage from bonfire embers as well as leaving burnt out bonfires unattended only to discover they were still hot enough to start a substantial fire. Multiple claimants have even reported damage to expensive gadgets from pets spooked by fireworks.

“We encourage people to take extra care on Bonfire Night so their evening stays enjoyable, putting away garden furniture, keeping an eye out for stray fireworks or embers, and keeping pets indoors away from expensive items. If people are planning to have a bonfire or light fireworks and sparklers at home, we urge them to take proper safety measures and never leave a bonfire unattended.”

Aviva issued a list of dos and don’ts to help ensure the safety of individuals, animals, and property during Bonfire Night celebrations, including:

1. If you plan to have fireworks display at home, make sure your fireworks carry the CE mark.
2. Be careful where you aim fireworks, particularly those which shoot into the air, like rockets. Make sure they’re directed away from people, trees, buildings, and roads, and never, ever throw them.
3. Keep fireworks in a closed tin and never carry them in pockets.
4. Don’t leave your bonfire unattended. Fires can get out of control in seconds, so make sure someone is watching over your blaze at all times and go easy with accelerants. Even if a bonfire looks like it has gone out, it could still be hot enough to cause damage.
5. Be careful with what you burn. You should only burn dry materials such as wood and dry leaves. Bonfires should not be used to get rid of household waste such as plastic packaging and you shouldn’t burn aerosols, tyres, painted or treated wood, or anything containing paint or foam.
6. Watch the weather. Windy conditions can spread fires quickly over a large area. Flames and embers can stray into neighbouring properties and Aviva data shows fires can often start at a different address to where the bonfire is taking place.
7. Take care when disposing of cinders and matches. Ashes can stay hot for hours after a fire appears to have gone out. Aviva has seen numerous claims where a fire has ignited after embers have burnt through a bin.
8. Think of others. While it’s not illegal to have a bonfire, neighbours can report you if they feel your bonfire is causing a nuisance. Be considerate about the time of your event too and keep the noise down. You could also face a fine if smoke blows across a road and hinders visibility.
9. Check your bonfire for wildlife before you light it. Make sure there are no inhabitants, such as hedgehogs or nesting birds – a pile of sticks and leaves can make a cosy home for wildlife.
10. Keep pets inside during Bonfire Night celebrations. Remember that celebrations may be happening across the week.
11. Be prepared. Keep a bucket of water, a hose or sand to hand, just in case.

Aviva’s cautionary message aims to reduce the risk of fire-related incidents during the festive season, emphasizing the need for responsible and safe celebrations.

^{i. Aviva Home Claims, 2021-2022, where customer mentioned sparkler, firework, or bonfire with peril fire.}

Media contact:

Karmen Ivey
General Insurance
+44 (0) 7385 013 292
karmen.ivey@aviva.com

Notes to editors:

• We are one of the UK’s leading Insurance, Wealth & Retirement businesses and we operate in the UK, Ireland and Canada. We also have international investments in India and China.
•  We help our 18.7 million customers make the most out of life, plan for the future, and have the confidence that if things go wrong we’ll be there to put it right.
• We have been taking care of people for more than 325 years, in line with our purpose of being ‘with you today, for a better tomorrow’. In 2022, we paid £23.2 billion in claims and benefits to our customers.
• Aviva is a market leader in sustainability. In 2021, we announced our ambition to become Net Zero by 2040, the first major insurance company in the world to do so. This plan means Net Zero carbon emissions from our investments by 2040; setting out a clear pathway to get there with a cut of 25% in the carbon intensity of our investments by 2025 and of 60% by 2030; and Net Zero carbon emissions from our own operations and supply chain by 2030. Find out more about our climate goals at www.aviva.com/climate-goals and our sustainability ambition and action at www.aviva.com/sustainability
• While we are working towards our sustainability ambitions, we acknowledge that we have relationships with businesses and existing assets that may be associated with significant emissions. More information can be found at https://www.aviva.com/sustainability/climate/
• Aviva is a Living Wage, Living Pensions and Living Hours employer and provides market-leading benefits for our people, including flexible working, paid carers leave and equal parental leave. Find out more at https://www.aviva.com/about-us/our-people/
• As at 30 June 2023, total Group assets under management at Aviva Group were £358 billion and our estimated Solvency II shareholder capital surplus was £7.8 billion. Our shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and we are a member of the FTSE 100 index.
• For more details on what we do, our business and how we help our customers, visit www.aviva.com/about-us
• The Aviva newsroom at www.aviva.com/newsroom includes links to our spokespeople images, podcasts, research reports and our news release archive. Sign up to get the latest news from Aviva by email.
• You can follow us on:
  • Twitter: www.twitter.com/avivaplc/
  • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/aviva-plc
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/avivaplc
• For the latest corporate films from around our business, subscribe to our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/aviva

SOURCE: AVIVA