1. Home
  2. Home insurance
  3. Thatched roof insurance

Thatched roof home insurance

Thatched roofs add character to a home, but they’re also trickier to fix and heighten your home’s risk of fire, pest damage and leaking.

This can make home insurance more expensive and harder to find. But cover does exist, and we work with a range of insurers who’ll insure your thatched roof home.

Compare quotes now to find the right cover for you at the right price, or read on for tips on getting the best deal.

Confused.com C icon
Our expert panel review all content. Learn more about our editorial standards and how we operate.

Ready to get a home insurance quote?

Get a quote

What is a thatched roof?

A thatched roof is made from plant material – typically straw, combed wheat reed or water reed. The material is layered in a way that keeps the inner roof dry and well-insulated.

Straw is preferred for its looks but reed can last much longer, with a lifespan of up to 40 years versus a maximum life of 20 years for straw.

According to The Thatch Advice Centre there are over 60,000 thatched properties in the UK.

Insurers view thatched roofs as riskier than standard roofs. This is mainly due to the increased fire risk posed by the material.

They're also more vulnerable to damage from birds and vermin. Holes caused by animals could make the inner roof of a thatched building liable to water damage.

A good, well-maintained thatch should keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

What insurance is available?

There's no specific type of thatched roof insurance available - instead you're looking for non-standard home insurance. There are 2 types of insurance to choose from depending on your needs: buildings insurance and contents insurance.

Buildings insurance protects the structure of your home by helping you cover the cost of any repairs. This includes the walls, floor, ceiling and the thatched roof itself. It also helps cover the full rebuild cost of your home.

Contents insurance covers your personal possessions inside your home. It covers against theft, loss and damage caused by storms, fire and flood. There are 2 types of contents insurance: new-for-old and indemnity.

You can also choose to combine both buildings and contents insurance into a single policy. This can often work out cheaper than buying separate policies. According to our data*, a combined buildings and contents insurance policy is £189. But getting separate building and contents insurance policies would cost £187 and £52 respectively.

Finding home insurance for a building with a thatched roof works the same as any other property type. Due to the additional risk of having a thatched roof, you might find you have fewer offers to choose from, and those you do get might cost you more.

*Based on Confused.com data, January - March 2024

What am I protected against?

Non-standard home insurance for a thatched roof home is tailored to the increased risk of fire damage and the specialist skills needed to fix or replace it. With buildings insurance you're usually covered against damage from:

Burglary damage

This is where your home is damaged during a break-in, even if the burglar didn't manage to steal anything. You can help prevent theft in your home by having the right type of lock and also choosing the best type of burglar alarm.

Fire

Fire is particularly dangerous for a thatched roof building due to the highly flammable nature of the thatch. A fire can spread through a straw and/or reed thatch rapidly.

Flood and storm damage

Flooding and storms can be devastating to any building but a thatched roof home can be particularly troublesome. Thatch materials are more susceptible to extreme weather - for example, a bolt of lightning can quickly start fires in the thatch. Also, without the proper cover, you could find yourself landed with expensive repairs that only a specialist thatcher is capable of doing.

Are thatched roof houses more expensive to insure?

Yes. This is for a few reasons. The first is the obvious fire risk a thatched roof represents. You will pay more for buildings insurance due to this. However the average price of contents insurance for thatched properties is £68*. This is only £16* more than the standard average price of £52*.

A thatched roof building will also typically have more expensive repair and rebuild costs, which is something insurers take into consideration when calculating your costs. This is because of the materials needed and the specialist tradespeople for this type of work.

If you own a home with a thatched roof, it’s likely it could also be a listed building. This means there could be local or national guidelines on what to do if your home needs to be repaired. These restrictions mean it could be more expensive to get work done.

According to our data*, the average building insurance policy for a Grade I property is £480 while cover for a Grade II building is £427.

*Based on Confused.com data, January - March 2024

How can I reduce fire risk?

Book regular inspections

Get a qualified electrician to inspect your electrical wiring and fittings on a regular basis

Fit a fire barrier

A fire barrier coated with fire-resistant chemicals under the thatch could help reduce risk

Take professional measures

Professionally treat your thatch with fire retardant spray to reduce the risk of fire

Install smoke alarms

Having smoke alarms on all floors and in the roof space could help prevent disaster

Fit heat monitors

Fitting heat monitors on your wood burner means you'll get a warning if your flue is overheating

Look after your chimney

Keep your chimney clear with regular maintenance and make sure it's swept frequently

What our home insurance expert says

"It's important to maintain your thatched roof to make sure you're covered in case your building is damaged or destroyed. Some insurers may not pay out if you've not maintained your roof to an acceptable standard. Tasks like getting regular fire safety checks, cutting back nearby trees and making sure repairs are done by a reputable thatcher are all important."
Matthew Harwood, Home & lifestyle insurance expert at Confused.com
Home & lifestyle insurance expert Confused.com logo

What do I need to get a quote?

Details about your thatched roof

Include details about your roof such as what it's made of, when it was last re-thatched, when it was last inspected and what condition it's currently in. Insurers generally want to know that your roof is well maintained, with fire risk being kept to a minimum.

When your house was built

The age of your property is important to know as, if your house is particularly old, your insurance quotes might be higher.

If your house is listed

Due to special or historic interest - your insurer will need to know if your home is a listed building, as they can be harder to repair.

What the exterior walls are made of

If your walls are made of special building materials such as wattle and daub, your insurer will need to know. As this is also considered non-standard construction.

The condition of the building

Your insurer will want to know the condition of your home, as in if there are any structural problems like damp or faulty wiring for example.

Whether your house has been underpinned

If your home has been underpinned or had the foundations reinforced should be detailed in your mortgage valuation or HomeBuyer Report

Signs or a history of subsidence

Subsistence is something your insurer will want to be aware of. It's more common in older homes as their foundations are often shallower than modern homes.

History of flooding

Insurers will want to know if there have been any previous floods. This refers to flooding from natural sources like rivers rather than burst pipes.

The rebuild cost of your home

The rebuild cost indicates how much a future home insurance claim might cost. Find out how to calculate your rebuild cost with our guide or use the free rebuild cost calculator from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Building Cost Information Service (BCIS).

How can I help maintain my thatched roof?

Good thatched roof maintenance can prolong its life and reduce fire risk.

Here’s what you can do:

  • Fire safety checks
  • Work with experienced, highly-rated thatchers
  • Trim surrounding trees
  • Control algae and moss
  • Regular maintenance checks

Insurers typically ask for a certain level of ongoing maintenance – if damage happens due to poor maintenance your policy might not pay out.

Pros and cons of owning a thatched cottage

The pros of owning a thatched roof home include:

  • Thatched roofs look good and add character and novelty value to your home.
  • Using plant materials for roofing is environmentally friendly.
  • Thatched roofs have strong insulation properties, helping you keep warm in winter and cool in summer.

But of course there are cons to consider too:

  • Thatched roofs can be expensive to install .
  • They need more maintenance and regular inspections.
  • Their increased fire risks mean you’ll need to consider safety measures.

Types of home insurance

Home insurance guides