As the UK experiences one of its most severe wildfire seasons on record – with parts of England reaching the highest possible fire risk rating this summer – the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA) has called for loss adjusters to submit large loss data to the relaunched RISCAuthority Large Loss Database.
The database, which pools UK fire and flood claims data on behalf of the insurance industry, plays a critical role in identifying emerging risk trends, shaping fire safety research, and providing an important evidence base insurers and related fire safety bodies may use when engaging with government on building regulations and fire and rescue service policy.
However, CILA has identified a decline in submissions in recent years. Loss adjusters have historically logged at least 500 large loss cases annually, with submissions dipping in 2023 and 2024 – despite losses continuing to occur, and by some measures, growing in severity.
Paul Redington, Deputy Chair of CILA’s Property Special Interest Group said: “This summer’s wildfire activity is a timely reminder of how quickly fire risk, for example, can escalate and evolve. The insurance industry’s ability to understand and respond to that and other risks depends in part on the quality and completeness of the data it has to work with”.
Loss adjusters are often the first professionals on site after a major fire or flood, and the detail captured assists in shaping the guidance and regulation that helps protect lives and property in the future. We’re asking adjusters to ensure that they make submission a routine part of every qualifying claim.
Paul Redington, Deputy Chair of CILA’s Property Special Interest Group
The call comes as the database itself has just undergone a significant relaunch. In July, RISCAuthority introduced a simplified version of the platform, reducing it from over 400 datapoints to around 40, with a sharper focus on emerging risks such as lithium-ion battery related fires, and those involving sustainable construction materials.
Any commercial property claim exceeding £100,000, or involving a fatality, qualifies for submission.
CILA is encouraging its members to treat data submission as a professional responsibility and is working with RISCAuthority to raise awareness and provide training on the updated system.
