What insurance is available for thatched roof homes?
Thatched roof insurance is a type of non-standard home insurance. There are 2 types of thatched roof insurance to choose from depending on your needs: buildings insurance and contents insurance.
Buildings insurance protects the actual structure of your home, as well as any fixtures and including the thatched roof itself.
Contents insurance covers all of your personal possessions inside the house.
You can also choose to combine both buildings and contents insurance into a single policy.
Thatched roof insurance is tailored to the increased risk of fire damage and the specialist skills needed to fix or replace such a roof. This insurance will usually cover:
- Fire
- Flood and storm damage
- Theft
But it is always important to check your policy for the exact level of cover.
Are thatched roof houses more expensive to insure?
Thated roof houses do tend to be more expensive to insure. This is mainly due to the increased fire risk that comes with thatch versus a tile or slate roof.
There are some ways to reduce your fire risk and save money on your thatched roof insurance policy:
Install smoke alarms on all floors and in the roof space
Fit heat monitors for wood burners so you’ll get a warning if your flue is overheating
Look after your chimney with regular maintenance and make sure it’s swept frequently
Book regular wiring inspections for your electrical fittings with a qualified electrician
Fit a fire barrier coated with fire-resistant chemicals under the thatch
Professionally treat your thatch with fire retardant spray
As with all home insurance, other ways to lower your premiums include:
- Choosing a higher excess
- Paying annually
What do I need to get a quote?
You can get quotes on thatched roof insurance from a range of insurers through Confused.com. But to make sure you're fully covered, it's really important you give us all the right details when you get a quote.
Here are some of the key things we’ll need to know about your house when you get a quote on thatched cottage insurance:
- Details about your thatched roof
- When your house was built
- Whether your house is a listed building
- What materials the exterior walls are made of
- The condition of the building
- Whether the house is underpinned or has reinforced foundations
- Any signs or history of subsidence
- Any history of flooding
- Rebuild costs
Details about your thatched roof should include 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 thatched roof is well-maintained, with fire risk being kept to a minimum.
When your house was built is important to know as if your house is particularly old, your thatched roof insurance quotes might be a little higher.
If your house is a listed building due to special or historic interest your insurer will need to know as they can be harder to repair.
What the exterior walls are made of, such as wattle and daub, can also affect your insurance costs as this is also considered non-standard construction.
The condition of the building is needed as your insurer will want to know if there are any structural problems like damp or faulty wiring.
Whether your house been underpinned or had the foundations reinforced should be detailed in your mortgage valuation or HomeBuyer Report
Signs or a history of subsidence are more common in older homes as their foundations are often shallower than modern homes.
History of flooding refers to flooding from natural sources like rivers rather than burst pipes.
The rebuild cost of your home can determine how much you can claim should your home suffer serious damage. 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) could help with your estimate.
Pros and cons of owning a thatched cottage
There are pros and cons to consider if you’re thinking of buying a thatched roof 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.
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What our home insurance expert says
Thatched roof homes are more complicated to cover as they pose a higher risk for insurers. Regular repair, maintenance and fire precautions can help with getting a quote. Insurers will want to know your roof is in good condition before they offer cover.
Jessica Willock
Home insurance product manager
Types of home insurance
Listed building insurance
protects properties that are of national historical significance.
Buildings insurance
protects the permanent fixtures and structure of your home.
Non standard insurance
get cover for your non-standard home. Protect your belongings against theft, loss and damage.
Landlord insurance
can protect you and your rental property against unexpected costs, like building or content damage, as well as any disputes.
Flood insurance
can offer some protection for your home and belongings if you live in a flood risk area.
Over 50s home insurance
can provide peace of mind your home and belongings are protected against loss, damage and theft.
Timber framed home insurance
Find cover for old listed buildings and new builds alike.
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