Australian home insurers are contending with a seasonal surge in fire-related claims each winter, with new data from NRMA Insurance pointing to the kitchen – not the fireplace or the heater – as the primary source of property damage during the colder months.
According to NRMA Insurance’s claims figures spanning the past two years, June consistently records the highest volume of cooking-related fire incidents. In 2025, cooking mishaps accounted for more than half – 55% – of the insurer’s total winter fire claims, a share that outpaced every other cause by a considerable margin. The remaining winter fire claims were distributed across accidental fires, where items catch alight, at 20%; electrical faults at 11%; battery-related incidents at 8%; and fires involving heaters or heating devices at 4%. Within cooking-related incidents specifically, unattended cooking on stove tops or in ovens was the most frequently recorded trigger, followed by electrical or appliance faults, oil spills or overheating, and fires involving open flames or barbecues.
Nick Kirkovski, NRMA Insurance’s executive manager of property and niche claims, said the conditions that produce winter cooking fires are largely predictable – and largely avoidable. “Cooking-related fires continue to be the leading cause of house fire claims throughout the year. These fires often happen on cooler weekends, in the afternoon, and evening when people are home, relaxing, or entertaining,” Kirkovski said.
Kirkovski said the speed at which a kitchen fire can escalate is frequently underestimated by householders. “Given the array of highly flammable materials found in kitchens, a small fire can spread in seconds. That’s why it’s critical to always stay in the kitchen while cooking and keep flammable items away from the stovetop,” he said. Cost-of-living pressures have contributed to more Australians eating and entertaining at home during winter, which NRMA Insurance said increases the overall frequency of cooking activity and, by extension, the exposure to cooking-related incidents.
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While cooking fires represent the dominant category in NRMA Insurance’s winter claims data, the insurer noted that heating-related incidents follow a distinct but parallel seasonal pattern. As households bring portable heaters, electric blankets, and fireplaces back into regular use, the potential for fire damage rises if those items have not been properly checked or maintained. “Fire claims linked to home heating increase during the colder months and can cause significant damage to homes. Heating sources can be volatile, particularly when combustible materials such as bedding, clothing, curtains, or firewood are placed too close. Simple things like placing heaters too close to furniture, overloading power outlets, or using worn electric blankets can very quickly turn into a major fire,” Kirkovski said. He recommended that households keep at least one metre of clear space around heaters while in use and arrange for fireplaces and heating systems to be inspected and serviced by a qualified technician before the winter season. He also advised against placing items on top of heaters or using electric blankets that have not been checked for faults.
The fire risk patterns documented by NRMA Insurance sit alongside wider industry evidence suggesting that a segment of Australian homeowners is not keeping pace with routine property upkeep – a behaviour that can affect both safety outcomes and insurance coverage. Research commissioned by Allianz Australia, published in October 2025, found that 40% of homeowners surveyed either do not maintain their homes on a regular schedule or neglect maintenance entirely, even though 94% acknowledged the risks of doing so. Only 16% said they acted on maintenance tasks when they remembered to do so, and 12% required prompting from another person.
The implications for policyholders are tangible. Most home insurance policies in Australia carry a general exclusion for damage attributable to wear and tear or lack of maintenance. Where an insurer determines that damage resulted from a condition that developed gradually – rather than from a discrete insured event such as a storm – a claim may not be covered. Allianz recorded more than 19,000 claims involving burst pipes and water damage during the study period, some of which it said may have been preventable through basic upkeep measures.
NRMA Insurance outlined a range of precautions applicable to both cooking and heating risks. On the cooking side, the insurer advised households to remain present while food is being prepared and to keep flammable materials clear of the cooking area. For heating, it recommended pre-season servicing of all heating appliances and fireplaces, replacing electric blankets showing signs of wear, and ensuring power outlets are not overloaded.
The insurer also flagged smoke alarms as a baseline safety requirement, recommending regular testing to confirm they are operational. Policyholders were additionally encouraged to keep a fire extinguisher and fire blanket within reach and to review their insurance policy to verify that their coverage adequately addresses fire damage to the home and its contents. “We recommend households remain diligent when using heating appliances – keep clear space around heat sources and have your appliances, fireplaces, and heating systems professionally serviced by a qualified technician before winter use. Winter should be about staying warm and comfortable. With a little extra care, Australians can significantly reduce the risk of fire and keep themselves and their families and homes safe,” Kirkovski said.
