Some international insurers require a Class D, F-500, 9-litre (up to 4.8KWh) or an extinguisher specifically for Lithium-Ion fires. The UK insurance industry no longer covers business fires caused by Lithium-ion batteries. While this is more for larger-scale storage, exclusions are rapidly spreading to consumer use of Lithium-ion battery devices.
The most common loophole was the clause to take every precaution to reduce the insurance company’s exposure to risk. Lithium-ion batteries are a known high-risk. The key issue is the need for insurance companies to develop a Lithium-ion device risk profile to calculate premiums coverage and exclusions.
In December 2022, the ACCC declared Lithium-ion batteries a product safety priority for 2023 and issued a discussion paper. The most interesting fact is that Lithium-ion batteries, particularly those using Lithium Cobalt Oxide (most) and Lithium Aluminium Oxide, had the lowest thermal stability and highest thermal runaway risk.
You’ll find them in things used every day, like phones, laptops, and e-scooters - and they could pose a huge fire risk if not stored and used correctly. Here at Allianz, our home insurance claims more than doubled from 2022 to 2023 for fires caused by lithium batteries.
Under-insurance is the bane of most consumer insurance claims. Lithium-ion fires have thermal runaway that makes them almost impossible to extinguish. Home fires related to these devices are often complete losses.
All they can say is that certain Lithium-ion devices won’t be covered for home and contents fire protection or it will be a case-by-case decision and a very much higher premium. In December 2022, the ACCC declared Lithium-ion batteries a product safety priority for 2023 and issued a discussion paper.