THATCHED PROPERTIES
Home Insurance For Thatched Properties
Thatched roofs are made using natural materials like straw, reeds, or rushes that are tightly woven together. You’ll typically find thatched roofs on homes in rural areas, where they’re made and maintained by professional thatcher’s. Thatch roofs if properly looked after can last for up to 40 years.
A home with a thatched roof is considered non-standard and many thatched properties are listed buildings, so it’s important to have the right cover. Thatched roofs cost more to maintain and are at high risk from fire damage. Once a fire has taken hold in a thatched roof, it will spread rapidly to the rest of the house and nearby properties. The main cause of fire in thatch are stray sparks from the chimneys, discarded cigarettes and garden bonfires in your own garden or neighbours. Thatched roof home insurance is specifically designed for properties with a complete or partially thatched roof. Just like standard home insurance, it covers unexpected events like floods, storms and fires. It also provides cover for the extra risks involved with having a thatched roof and the expertise needed to repair or replace them.
Main Cover Details
Buildings Insurance: This covers the structure of your thatched home, as well as all its permanent fixtures and fittings.
Contents Insurance: Covers the belongings in your home and possibly the items in your garden, shed and outbuildings depending on the policy.
Fire, Storms & Floods: Your policy will cover your thatched home and/or belongings for fire, storm flood damage and theft.
Optional extras: You can usually add extras to your policy if they aren’t already included for e.g legal expenses and accidental damage cover.
What are the risks of owning a thatched roof property?
- Thatch materials can cause a fire to spread more quickly
- Thatched roofs are more expensive to repair and replace
- Thatched roofs require regular roof maintenance and your insurer may require the roof to be inspected regularly.
- Most thatched homes are listed and come with strict regulations.
- Thatched roofs can be more prone to pest infestation.
- Higher insurance premiums
Examples of some policy conditions;
Depending on the insurer, cover for your thatched home might be dependent on you agreeing to certain conditions. These could include;
- Your homes electrical wiring being inspected by a qualified electrician every 10 years.
- Your thatched roof being expected by a qualified thatcher once every 5 years
- Your chimney being cleaned twice a year and inspected every five years
- Keeping at least one fire extinguisher on each floor of your home
- Fire blankets to be installed.
- All chimneys to solid-fuel stoves, boilers and open fires are kept in a good state of repair and that they are professionally cleaned once a year before winter
