Wildfires are often associated with warmer parts of the world, but prolonged hot and dry conditions can also lead to serious grassland, heathland and woodland fires in the UK.
Following recent wildfires in Suffolk and elsewhere in the UK, the Association of British Insurers confirmed that standard home insurance policies typically cover damage caused by fire, including wildfires.
However, the exact protection available depends on the policy, whether you have buildings insurance, contents insurance or both, and how the fire has affected your property.
Wildfire damage is generally treated as fire damage under UK home insurance. You would not normally need to purchase a separate type of wildfire insurance.
Buildings insurance may cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding the structure of your home following an insured fire. Contents insurance may cover belongings damaged or destroyed by the fire.
However, policies differ. Limits, exclusions and conditions may apply, so you should always check your policy wording and schedule rather than assuming that every part of your home and garden is protected.
The Association of British Insurers’ wildfire guidance provides further information for homeowners affected by a wildfire.
A wildfire can cause damage in several different ways. Cover may extend beyond the area directly touched by the flames.
Buildings insurance may cover damage to the main structure of the property, including:
Cover may also include damage caused by efforts to extinguish the fire, such as water damage from firefighting.
The insurer will assess whether damaged parts of the building can be repaired or need to be replaced. The claim will remain subject to the policy limits, exclusions and any applicable excess.
If you have contents insurance, belongings damaged or destroyed by the fire may also be covered.
This could include furniture, electrical equipment, clothing and other possessions kept inside the home. A buildings-only policy will not normally cover these items.
Your contents sum insured should reflect the overall cost of replacing your belongings. Individual limits may apply to valuable items, such as jewellery, artwork or specialist equipment.
A property does not necessarily need to have been reached by the flames to suffer damage.
Smoke, soot and ash can spread through a home, affecting walls, furniture, fabrics and electrical equipment. Home insurance may cover cleaning, repair or replacement where this damage is the direct result of an insured fire.
Smoke contamination can sometimes require specialist assessment and cleaning. Avoid attempting substantial cleaning until you have spoken to the insurer or claims team.
Cover for gardens and outdoor property can vary considerably between policies.
Depending on the cover selected, a policy may include sheds, garages, fences, gates, garden furniture and other belongings kept outside. Cover for lawns, trees, shrubs and hedges may be more limited or excluded.
Check the policy wording to understand which structures and outdoor items are included. You can also read our guide to contents in the open for more information about belongings kept within your property boundaries but outside the home.
Many home insurance policies provide alternative accommodation when insured damage makes the home unsafe or uninhabitable.
Depending on the policy and circumstances, this could help with the reasonable cost of temporary accommodation while the property is repaired. Limits and conditions will usually apply.
Contact the insurer or claims team before arranging longer-term accommodation wherever possible. They can explain what the policy provides and whether any proposed costs need to be authorised.
Alternative accommodation cover usually applies when insured damage has made the home uninhabitable.
If you are evacuated as a precaution but your property has not been damaged, your home insurance may not cover the cost of temporary accommodation. The ABI advises that accommodation in these circumstances is typically arranged through the local authority.
You should still check your policy and contact the insurer or claims team because cover and individual circumstances can differ.
If you have nowhere safe to stay following a fire or evacuation, your local council may be able to provide emergency housing. GOV.UK also provides information about emergency support following a fire.
Your safety should always come before trying to protect your home or belongings.
If a wildfire is approaching:
Homeowners living near heathland, woodland or open ground can also take practical steps to reduce the risk before an incident occurs. These may include clearing dry leaves from gutters, keeping flammable materials away from the building and cutting back nearby trees or shrubs.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service provides detailed guidance on reducing wildfire risk around a property.
Once it is safe to do so, contact the insurer or claims team shown in your policy documents as soon as possible.
If your home insurance was arranged through Intelligent Insurance, your policy schedule will identify the insurer and the appropriate claims contact.
You should also:
Insurers understand that emergency work may sometimes be necessary to protect people or prevent the damage from becoming worse. Keep evidence of any urgent work and retain all associated receipts.
A severe fire can result in extensive repairs or, in the worst cases, the need to rebuild the entire property.
Buildings insurance should therefore reflect the property’s rebuild cost rather than its market value. The rebuild cost can include demolition, site clearance, construction materials, labour and professional fees.
Listed buildings, older homes and properties built using unusual materials may be particularly expensive or complicated to reinstate. Specialist labour, traditional materials or additional permissions may be required.
Our rebuild cost guide explains how rebuild cost differs from market value and why an accurate figure is important.
Having previously made a fire claim does not necessarily mean that you will be unable to obtain home insurance. However, it can affect which insurers are prepared to offer cover and the price or conditions applied.
When you request a quote, an insurer may ask:
It is important to provide complete and accurate information about previous claims. If you do not know an exact claim date or value, you may be able to obtain the information from your previous insurer.
A specialist home insurance broker may be able to explore suitable options where a previous fire claim, unusual construction or listed status makes cover more difficult to find.
Wildfire damage is generally considered fire damage under UK home insurance, but the extent of cover depends on the policy, the type of insurance selected and the circumstances of the event.
Check that you have appropriate buildings and contents cover, understand how your policy treats gardens, outbuildings and alternative accommodation, and make sure the rebuild value reflects the likely cost of reinstating your home.
If your property has been affected by a previous fire claim or has features that make standard home insurance more difficult to obtain, Intelligent Insurance may be able to help you explore suitable cover.
Find out more about our non-standard home insurance or get a quote online.
Wildfire damage is generally treated as fire damage under UK home insurance. Standard policies typically cover fire, but the exact limits, exclusions and conditions will depend on the individual policy.
Home insurance may cover smoke, soot and ash damage where it is the direct result of an insured fire. This could include specialist cleaning, repairs or the replacement of damaged belongings. Check your buildings and contents policy for the cover available.
Alternative accommodation may be covered when insured damage makes your home unsafe or uninhabitable. If you are evacuated only as a precaution and the property is not damaged, your policy may not cover accommodation costs. In these circumstances, emergency accommodation may be arranged through the local authority.
A previous fire claim does not automatically prevent you from obtaining home insurance. Insurers may ask about the cause, claim value, extent of the damage, completed repairs and any steps taken to reduce the likelihood of another fire. Acceptance will depend on the insurer’s underwriting criteria and your wider circumstances.
Find practical advice on keeping a listed or period home cooler during hot weather.
As the weather cools and homes are sealed against the chill, many UK households begin to notice an unwelcome guest: black mould. Find out how to deal with it safely.
Essential checks and maintenance tips to help protect your home during the winter months.