The changing nature of fire risk: what it means and how can insurers respond
KeynoteClaims Club Briefing 1Underwriting Club Briefing 1
2026-03-11 | 09:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Information
Fire risk in the built environment is changing rapidly as innovation in construction methods, materials and energy systems outpaces the industry’s ability to understand long-term fire behaviour fully. The increasing use of lithium-ion batteries, solar panels, modern insulation, mass timber and complex building designs is altering how fires start, spread and damage property, often producing loss outcomes very different from those expected. While many buildings strive to meet regulatory and life-safety standards, that guidance may be even further behind in how they address these changes. Recent incidents shows that property damage, remediation and business disruption are becoming more challenging.
This session will explore what has genuinely changed in fire risk, what this means for insurers in practice, and how that may impact underwriting, claims and prevention approaches.
- What is genuinely new in fire risk today, and where are long-held assumptions no longer holding true?
- How are modern materials, energy systems and building designs changing fire behaviour and loss severity?
- Why do regulatory compliance and life-safety success not always translate into manageable property damage?
- What are incident and early loss data telling us about remediation, reinstatement and business interruption following modern fires?
- What could this mean to insurers considering underwriting, risk advice and prevention strategies?
Speakers
Thomas Roche
FM Insurance
Principal consultant – international codes & standards