Timber-framed home insurance

How will having a timber-framed house affect my home insurance?

If you have a timber-framed house you can get home insurance, but you might find that fewer options are available to you or you may have to go through a specialist insurer. You may find your insurance costs are higher, even if you don’t need non-standard home insurance.

This is because timber-framed houses are more susceptible to certain risks than standard brick-built homes, such as fire and rot. Older timber-framed houses often use building materials that are higher risk and more expensive to replace. These houses could also have a thatched roof or may even be a listed building.

To make sure your timber-framed house is fully covered, it’s best to be as accurate and detailed as possible when you get your home insurance quote.

What is wattle and daub panelling and why does it increase my insurance cost?

Wattle and daub panelling is one of the most common infills in older timber-framed buildings. It's made up of small timbers (the wattle) that support a mud-based daub, which is then plastered over with lime plaster or a modern alternative.

On average, a timber-framed house with wattle and daub panelling costs £369.82 to insure, compared to a timber and plaster frame which, costs £276.98¹.

Insurers may quote a higher insurance cost for homes that use wattle and daub because any repairs require specialist techniques. It's also at increased risk of fire and damp. Wattle and daub panels are usually found in old and historic buildings, which come with their own insurance considerations.

There are benefits to wattle and daub panelling, though. It's not as rigid as traditional modern infills, so they can better withstand structural movements that might weaken a more fixed structure. It also provides better insulation than brick and its structure allows moisture to evaporate faster.

¹Confused.com data, June 2023

How can I lower the cost of insuring my timber-framed house?

You can help keep the cost of timber-framed home insurance down by staying on top of household maintenance. Keeping your home in good condition helps prevent issues that increase the risk of you making claim on your policy.

• Avoid delaying any necessary repairs and deal with issues in good time
• Ensure good ventilation and watch out for any condensation or leaks that could encourage damp
• Regularly check your woodwork for signs of rot, which could attract pests.
• In increased temperatures look out for dry rot, which needs expert treatment
• Install safety systems to compensate for the increased risk of your timber frame home, such as fire extinguishers, alarms and sprinkler systems

Will home insurance cover my log cabin?

Log cabins can sometimes be classed as timber framed homes.

You should be able to find home insurance for your log cabin as long as it has a permanent address. If it doesn’t, you need non-standard home insurance.

While they may need specialist cover, a key advantage of mobile log cabins is that they don’t need planning permission.

If you’re renting out your log cabin as a holiday home, you should also consider guest house insurance.