Increase In Fires Sparks Urgent Intervention

Every winter, insurers prepare for a surge in fire-related claims. While unattended cooking equipment and faulty electric wiring are the leading causes of house fires overall, heating equipment is the primary culprit during the colder months of May, June, and July.  

“We’re only halfway through winter and already, fire-related incidents at homes and businesses have increased by 20%,” notes Alex Terblanché, CEO of Auto&General Insurance.  “Year after year, we watch this trend repeat itself – temperatures plummet, fire incidents spike, lives are disrupted, and properties are lost. It’s no longer enough to acknowledge the problem - we have to act. It’s time to shift from reaction to prevention, because doing nothing should never be acceptable when lives and livelihoods are at stake.”

To assist its customers, Auto&General Insurance has embedded a tried and tested three-tiered firefighting approach into its insurance policies. The system, which is powered by Fidelity SecureFire, includes incipient fire containment, rapid intervention for medium-sized fires, and specialised units for large-scale emergencies.  

“This isn’t just a seasonal response - it’s a year-round commitment to changing the fire safety landscape for good,” says Terblanché.

It’s also a first for the insurance industry.  While value-added services for roadside and home emergencies are the norm, having access to an in-app private fire response unit is unique.  

Fidelity SecureFire was launched in 2023 as a monthly subscription service.  It’s available nationally, and operates in full compliance with international firefighting standards.  At the heart of Fidelity SecureFire’s capability is the Fidelity Fire National Command Centre - a groundbreaking, real-time operations hub that sets a new industry standard. Powered by AI-based risk analysis, predictive incident modelling and live data monitoring, the centre enables intelligent deployment of resources, anticipating fire threats before they escalate.

“We don’t just respond - we predict, prevent, and optimise,” says Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group. “Our systems track fire trends, weather patterns, infrastructure risks, and local response metrics to ensure maximum efficiency and agility during emergencies.”

Bartmann stresses that Fidelity SecureFire, and Auto&General’s Fire Assist benefit is not a replacement for municipal fire departments; instead, it is a complementary layer and works much in the same way as private security firms operate. 

While having access to a private firefighting unit offers a valuable safety net, the truth remains: prevention is always better than cure. Auto&General offers some key fire prevention tips to keep you, your family, and your property safe this winter:

• Service all heating equipment - Fire safety starts long before the first spark so have your heaters, fireplaces and flues inspected and maintained regularly.Make sure that all heating appliances and devices are SABS approved and, where applicable, installed by a certified service provider. 
• Use heating equipment responsibly: It’s crucial to operate heating devices within its manufacturers’ limits. Setting a device to maximum for extended periods of time, not placing it on a level surface or moving it around while in operation, for example, could pose a serious risk.  Also, never leave heaters, electrical blankets, candles or stoves unattended. Exercise special caution before going to bed at night to make sure that all heat sources are turned off.
• Keep flammable materials away - Ensure curtains, blankets and furniture are well clear of heat sources.
• Never leave cooking unattended.
• Store lithium batteries safely - Charge devices on non-flammable surfaces and avoid overcharging or using damaged batteries.
• Plan and practice an escape route – Seconds count in a fire; everyone should know what to do and where to go.  Have all emergency contact details within easy reach so that you can contact emergency response teams.

“Our goal is to ensure that our customers never have to experience the financial and emotional devastation of fire-related incidents but if they do, we’ll prove, as we have done for the past 40 years, that we are Never Not There,” says Terblanché.