According to recent surveys, 68% of UK adults now own an air fryer, and many households now use their air fryer more than they use their conventional oven.
Corresponding with the rise in air fryer ownership, UK insurers have seen a rise in claims arising from air fryer fires.
In this post we’ll assess the impact that owning an air fryer might have on your insurance: Will homeowners have to pay higher premiums if they own an air fryer?
If you have any questions about your home insurance needs, get in touch by calling 0208 290 9086 or emailing personal@anthonyjones.com.
Air Fryers and Home Insurance
Owning an air fryer won’t affect the price of your home insurance. However, if something goes wrong with your air fryer, the damage is likely to be significant.
According to recent reports, the average claim for damage from air fryers in 2024 was £29,555, with certain individual claims getting as high as £80,000.
What Are Air Fryer Fire Claims So High?
When something goes wrong with an air fryer, it can quickly spiral into a major disaster: Excessive smoke can cause a great deal of damage to all surrounding fixtures and fittings. Excessive heat can melt through surfaces and can cause surrounding appliances to ignite too. There have even been reports of exploding air fryers.
How Dangerous Are Air Fryers?
It’s important to note that air fryers are not inherently dangerous, so long as you use them in line with the instructions.
Air fryers do carry a fire risk, but there are ways to manage this.
How to Reduce the Risk of an Air Fryer Fire
There are a number of ways you can reduce the risk of your air fryer catching on fire or causing an issue, such as:
- Never overload your air fryer, and never use it to cook any ingredients that may carry a fire risk, such as oil or wet batter.
- Take care where you place your air fryer. Put it on the kitchen counter, rather than the hob. You should also avoid placing the air fryer on tea towels, or other soft flammable surfaces.
- Only ever use your air fryer in a well-ventilated area, and make sure the area around the air fryer is clean and clear of clutter.
- Plug your air fryer directly into the mains. Do not use an extension lead.
- Thoroughly clean your air fryer after each use. Otherwise, any food residue could eventually overheat, leading to smoke and fire.
- If your air fryer does catch fire, do not throw water over it, as this can make electrical fires even worse. Instead, turn off the fryer at the mains, and use an appropriate fire extinguisher.
What Do Increasing Air Fryer Fires Mean for the Insurance Industry?
While we are seeing claims rising, this is likely to have a limited impact on the insurance industry for now. The rises we’re seeing in air fryer fires are much more limited than those we’re seeing in other areas of the industry from flood and storm damage. So while it’s important to be aware of air fryer safety, it’s unlikely to be affecting your premiums just yet.
Are You Covered For Air Fryer Fires?
Rachel Penning at Anthony Jones says:
“Air fryers are perfectly safe so long as you use them properly. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly, and you should never have an issue. It’s also important that you buy an authentic air fryer from a reputable supplier. Don’t be tempted to save money with a counterfeit or low-quality air fryer from a dodgy supplier!
“It’s important to take safety as seriously as possible when it comes to air fryers. Because, as we’ve seen, when air fryers cause problems, they tend to be major problems. Your home insurance should cover you, but it’s important to be sure.
“Talk to us, and we can help you ensure that your home insurance is providing all the cover you need at the best possible price.”
If you have any questions about your home insurance needs, get in touch by calling 0208 290 9086 or emailing personal@anthonyjones.com.
