Managing summer risk: Heat, disruption, and insurance protection

Summer is great for morale – but tougher on businesses. Higher temperatures bring a host of risks that can disrupt operations, impact staff and customers, and lead to costly claims if you’re not ready. Recent climate data shows that the number of days with temperatures 5°C above the long term average has doubled in the past decade, with the hottest days now occurring far more frequently than in previous generations.

The main question being… have you considered how rising summer temperatures could expose your business to unexpected insurance risks?

Protecting employees and customers from the heat

Keeping your people safe isn’t just a compliance responsibility – it’s a crucial part of managing operational risk during the hotter months. As temperatures rise, both employees and customers become more vulnerable to heat-related issues, particularly in environments that are poorly ventilated or lack effective cooling. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and even fainting can happen quickly. And if someone becomes unwell on your premises, your business could be held liable.

These risks highlight why proactive health and safety measures matter. Simple steps such as ensuring staff have access to shaded areas, hydration, and appropriate PPE are essential –but so is preparing your workspace itself. Providing fans or air conditioning where possible, and allowing flexible working during peak heat, can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related incidents. We’d also recommend making sure your Employers’ and Public Liability insurance is up to date and comprehensive.

Building a heat ready workforce through robust training and clear communication

Empowering your team with the right knowledge is one of the most effective ways to prevent heat related incidents in the summertime. That means more than simply showing employees how to use additional cooling equipment – it’s about ensuring they genuinely understand the risks and their role in managing them. Clear, practical training, followed by documented confirmation of understanding, reinforces accountability and reduces the likelihood of avoidable claims.

To strengthen compliance, many businesses benefit from creating a positive safety culture: recognising teams who follow protocols well, while addressing lapses quickly and constructively. And for organisations that rely on seasonal or overseas workers – such as fruit farms during peak harvest – investing in translated training materials should be a priority. Removing language barriers not only improves safety outcomes but also demonstrates your business’ commitment to protecting every team member, regardless of background.

Preventing overheating and electrical fires during high temperatures

High temperatures can put significant strain on electronics, servers and machinery, especially in areas with poor ventilation. As equipment works harder to stay cool, the risk of overheating increases – along with the potential for malfunctions or, in the worst cases, electrical fires. These incidents can cause severe disruption and costly damage, making proactive maintenance essential during the summer months.

Regular servicing and proper ventilation play a vital role in preventing heat related equipment failures. Likewise, avoiding overloaded sockets and ensuring safe electrical usage across your premises can help reduce the likelihood of sparks or short circuits. It’s also worth reviewing your buildings insurance to confirm that fire related damage and equipment breakdown are fully covered, giving you peace of mind should the unexpected occur.
 

Managing summer heat risks to stock, goods, and stored products

Rising temperatures don’t just affect machinery – they can also compromise the quality of temperature sensitive stock. Products like food, drink, cosmetics, and even certain electronics can quickly deteriorate if stored in uncooled or poorly monitored environments. For businesses reliant on high value or perishable goods, the financial impact of spoilage can be significant. In the UK supply chain alone, an estimated 4.8 million tonnes of food is wasted every year – a volume that highlights the scale of spoilage risk for businesses handling perishable goods.

To stay ahead of these risks, reviewing your storage conditions is key. Many businesses choose to install cooling units or temperature monitoring systems to ensure consistent product protection throughout the hotter months. Alongside these practical measures, it’s important to check your insurance coverage for perishable goods and deterioration caused by equipment failure. Having the right cover in place ensures your business is protected if extreme heat compromises your stock.

Supermarket cold-chain failure during summer 2025

During the 2025 heatwave, several UK supermarkets experienced failures in chilled display units as temperatures climbed into the mid 30s. One major retailer saw refrigerated displays fail in a dozen stores during the July 2022 heatwave, and similar issues resurfaced in 2025 as regional grocers reported depot refrigeration units “running at red line for days.” 

These failures led to spoilage of dairy, salads, ready meals, and pre cut fruit – products that degrade quickly during heat spikes. The Food Standards Agency noted that souring complaints for milk rose within 24–48 hours of heat alerts, even when products were still within date.

Protecting goods in transit and your supply chain during high temperatures

Beyond the risks inside your premises, summer heat can also create serious challenges once goods are on the move. Temperature sensitive products – such as chilled food, drink, pharmaceuticals, or cosmetics – are especially vulnerable during transport, even when moved in temperature controlled vehicles. A single mechanical failure in a refrigerated unit can quickly lead to spoilage, stock loss and costly delays. For businesses that rely heavily on perishable goods, having the right insurance in place – such as cover for deterioration following equipment breakdown –provides crucial protection if things go wrong.

And it’s not just the goods that need safeguarding. Your fleet and drivers also face added pressures during extreme heat. Ensuring vehicles are summer ready is just as important as winter preparation: checking for damage carried over from colder months, testing cooling systems, and supplying drivers with essentials like air conditioning, sunglasses, and emergency kits. Not only does this reduce the risk of breakdowns and heat related incidents on the road, but it also helps keep goods moving safely and efficiently during peak temperatures.

Power outages and business interruption

Heatwaves don’t just raise temperatures – they put real pressure on local infrastructure. When the heat pushes energy networks to their limits, power cuts become more likely, leaving businesses vulnerable to sudden downtime. Even a short outage can halt production lines, interrupt digital services, or spoil temperature sensitive stock. For example, a small retailer relying on chilled displays could lose an entire day’s inventory if refrigeration fails during a peak heat outage.

The financial implications are far from trivial. Reports from summer 2025 suggested that hot days cost the UK economy around £1.2 billion a year in lost productivity, largely because Britain’s infrastructure isn’t built to cope with extreme heat.

To stay protected, it’s essential to back up data regularly, invest in surge protection, and consider Business Interruption cover – ensuring your income is safeguarded if extreme heat stops operations in their tracks.

Beyond human risks and considerations, summer poses challenges for stock – especially perishable food and drink goods transported in temperature-controlled vehicles.

Insurance coverage for spoilage due to mechanical failures is available and should be considered for businesses reliant on temperature-sensitive products.

For businesses with fleets, ensuring vehicles are summer-ready is as important as winter preparations. Checks for vehicle damage from winter months should be conducted, and measures like providing air conditioning, sunglasses, and emergency kits for drivers can mitigate risks associated with summer driving conditions.

Strengthening security as temperatures rise

Summer doesn’t just bring higher temperatures – it can also create the perfect conditions for opportunistic theft. With windows propped open for ventilation, stock displayed outdoors, and staff possibly more distracted during busier, warmer periods, your business may be more exposed than usual. These small seasonal shifts can make it easier for thieves to act unnoticed.

That’s why a quick refresh of your physical security measures is essential. Checking that locks, alarms and CCTV systems are fully functioning – and upgrading them where needed – can make a significant difference. It’s also worth reviewing your Contents and Theft insurance cover, especially if you carry higher value or seasonal stock over the summer months.

Stay cool this summer with help from Howden

As extreme weather becomes increasingly common in the UK, now is the ideal time for businesses to reassess their security measures and insurance protection. Strengthening your cover and tightening your risk controls today can help safeguard your operations against unexpectedly costly disruptions tomorrow. Taking proactive steps now ensures your business stays resilient – no matter how high the temperatures, or the footfall, rises.

If you’d like support reviewing your risk exposure or identifying gaps in your cover, the specialist team at Howden is here to help.