A new report from insurers NFU Mutual shows farm and agricultural vehicle fire costs came to a combined £139m
The estimated cost of farm fires reported to NFU Mutual in 2024 has been revealed at almost £102m, according to the insurer’s latest Farm Fires report.
The main causes of farm fires identified by the report were arson, lightning strikes, and electrical faults, although the number of fire claims involving crops, buildings, and farm equipment had dropped 18% since 2024.
Regionally, south-west England (£24m) and north-east England (£16.4m) saw both the largest amount of estimated claim costs, and both saw the greatest percentage increase at 20% and 36% respectively.
In addition to the cost of farm fires, the insurance bill to repair and replace agricultural vehicles, such as tractors and combine harvesters, totalled an additional £37m in 2024. Despite this being lower for some vehicle types than recent years, Louise Nicholls, Agricultural Vehicles Underwriter Specialist at NFU Mutual, said that it was “vital that rural communities aren’t complacent”.
The report also set out NFU Mutual’s position on vehicle fire suppression:
“NFU Mutual strongly recommends fitting fire suppression systems to high-risk kit, such as combine harvesters. These systems, common place in other industries like forestry, are highly effective at stopping small fires spreading and engulfing the entire machine.”
“Fire suppression kits can save lives and prevent damage and disruption, and there are ways government can support. Introducing legislation requiring manufacturers to fit suppression kits as standard or providing grants to farmers to allow them to purchase these kits would be an effective way of making farms safer – while minimising the risk of damaging local infrastructure and disrupting the wider community.”
With the number and size of wildfires also on the increase, Dave Swallow, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Wildfire Deputy Lead and Lead Tactical Advisor, said: “Farm fires and wildfires regularly require significant fire service resource, often for extended periods of time, and they put lives at risk.
“NFCC supports and welcomes the NFU Mutual’s push for suppression systems to be fitted in farm machinery, reducing the risk of fires developing into large and more damaging incidents.
“Furthermore, we have worked with industry to produce guidance for farmers during the harvesting period, following an increase in potential risk of fires during this year's hot, dry summer.”
Highlighting the issues facing the agricultural sector, Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual’s Rural Affairs Specialist, said: “Fire remains a constant risk to UK farms, with dangerous and devasting farm fires becoming all too common.
“To minimise the risk of a farm blaze, it’s vital that farmers develop a detailed fire plan, outlining how to evacuate safely, ensuring buildings are secure, managing livestock, and keeping machinery properly serviced and clean.”
You can download the NFU Mutual Farm Fires Report 2025 here.