Hiscox has joined forces with fine art and antiques valuers Gurr Johns to sponsor a fire safety seminar targeted at the owners and managers of country homes and estates.
The two companies are working with the Colvin Fire Prevention Trust (CFPT). The seminar sponsored by Hiscox and Gurr Johns is to focus on raising awareness of the importance of fire prevention to trustees and proprietors of stately homes and estates who can often be liable for the damage caused.
Fires are estimated to cost the UK nearly £7bn a year, said Hiscox, and the Trust is warning that trustees and estate managers could be left considerably out of pocket if they fail to protect, insure and manage their properties adequately.
Hiscox research has shown that the average homeowner is underinsured by up to 40%, a figure that can rise significantly for homes which contain fine art or antiques.
In the event of a fire, when the devastation can be total, failure to insure and to insure fully can lead to properties remaining in disrepair and force trustees and managers into sizeable debt, said the company.
Speakers will include Robert Hiscox, chief inspector of fire services Sir Graham Meldrum, and director of valuation services at Gurr Jones Charles Young.
The Colvin Fire Prevention Trust Safety Awareness Seminar will take place at Spencer house on 13 November.
