£16.7 million in home insurance claims could have been lost in just one year due to smoke alarm negligence, according to estimates from a new study.[1] The research states there were approximately 13,458 dwelling fires across Britain during this period where a smoke alarm was missing or didn’t operate.

Home insurance claims can be invalidated if smoke alarms aren’t kept operational or if policyholders lie about owning one. Based on the number of insured households in Britain, this means roughly 10,124 claims for fire damage could have been invalidated. As a result, thousands of Brits may have had to pay for the repairs themselves – an additional setback during an already challenging situation.

The figures come from Go.Compare home insurance, which applied its latest survey data to FCA insurance numbers and statistics from British fire and rescue services. It calculated the financial loss in the 2023/24 financial year using average claim payout figures and the estimated number of fires at insured households without working alarms.

Despite the potential consequences, a significant number of residents aren’t aware that failing to install and maintain a smoke alarm can void their insurance. Close to two-thirds (62%) of Brits told the insurance comparison site they didn’t know claims can be denied if smoke alarms aren’t checked regularly.[2]

Around 1% of residents also said that they don’t have a smoke alarm installed, equal to over half a million adults living in a property without this vital safety equipment.[3] Similarly, only 6% stated that they check their alarms weekly or more, as recommended by multiple fire and rescue services.[2]

Fires in residences without a working smoke alarm accounted for 43% of all reported dwelling fires in the year ending March 2024 and for more than half (52%) of all fatalities from dwelling fires.[4] Go.Compare is urging homeowners and tenants alike to prioritise fire safety, highlighting this life-threatening oversight.

Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “It goes without saying that failing to install and regularly test a smoke alarm could have catastrophic consequences. But on top of the huge safety risk, your insurer likely won’t pay out if your smoke alarm wasn’t working when a fire occurred, so you’d suffer the financial consequences of the blaze – as well as the emotional ones.

“It might feel like one of the more mundane tasks on your to-do list, but it’s also one of the most important. Testing your alarm takes just seconds. Consider setting a weekly reminder so that you’re less likely to forget. If you have difficulty maintaining your alarms yourself, you can contact your local fire service for support. If you don’t know how to test it, you will likely find instructions in the manufacturer’s manual.”

More statistics about smoke alarm safety can be found on Go.Compare’s website.