Is my home at extreme electrical fire risk according to my insurance company – Advice from Electriman, North London Electricians

Receiving a letter or call from your insurance company telling you your home is at extreme electrical fire risk can feel alarming. The good news is that once you understand what they mean and take the right steps, the problem can almost always be fixed.

What does extreme electrical fire risk actually mean?

Insurance companies use risk assessment surveys, satellite data tools, or in-person inspection reports to grade properties. An extreme risk classification typically means one or more serious issues have been identified or are strongly suspected based on the age and type of your property. This is not a routine warning. It means they believe your wiring or electrical installation could cause a fire.

The most common reasons a property gets this rating include:

1. Old wiring such as rubber-insulated cables from the 1960s or earlier, which can crack and arc.

2. A consumer unit made from or housed in a plastic or wooden enclosure with no RCD protection.

3. No residual current device protection, meaning a fault may not be detected before it ignites.

4. Overloaded circuits or evidence of DIY electrical work.

5. An installation that has never been formally tested and has no EICR certificate.

What can you safely check yourself?

You can look at your consumer unit and check whether it is a modern metal-clad unit with RCDs or RCBO protection visible. You can look at visible cables such as those in the loft or garage and check wheth

Need a qualified electrician in North London?

Electriman covers Mill Hill, Barnet, Finchley, Edgware, Enfield, Watford and surrounding areas. All work is Part P certified and fully insured.