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Last updated: 29 October 2021
Thatched roof home insurance is a type of policy that typically includes both buildings insurance and contents cover, that protects you against the risks and expenses of living in a house with a thatched roof. This includes higher costs of repair, maintenance and greater risk of damage in a fire, which may put off mainstream insurers or make them inflate premiums.
You can buy thatched roof home insurance from specialist providers. Not only will these specialist insurers typically charge you less for your cover, they have the expertise in protecting and maintaining thatched roof properties which can be important to you as a homeowner. They can give you advice about keeping your thatched roof property safe and direct you to qualified thatchers, for both repairs and regular maintenance.
Yes, the premiums on home insurance policies for properties with thatched roofs will typically be more expensive, although you can keep your bills affordable by sticking with a specialist provider. Let’s take a closer look at why it costs more to insure a property with a thatched roof.
First, in the event of damage, thatched roofs are more expensive to repair. The materials are more costly than tile or slate and you’ll need to find a thatcher, an increasingly rare profession to perform the repairs properly.
And while thatched roof cottages aren’t much more likely to catch fire than those with standard roofs according to the Fire Service, of all the thatched roof properties in the UK, just 60 to 70 will suffer fire damage in any year. However if they do catch fire, the damage to the home is more likely to be extensive and very costly to repair.
Additionally, an estimated 75% of homes with thatched roofs in the UK have listed building status, which means they need to be repaired and rebuilt to strict guidelines, which inflates the cost of claims to insure and thus the level of your premiums.
Finally, thatched roofs require regular maintenance, including re-ridging every eight to ten years. Your insurer will want to know you’ve been properly looking after the thatched roof on your home.
When you seek out a thatched roof home insurance policy, the insurer will want to know the following details, in addition to the usual information you provide about the property’s size and location:
Any home insurance policy can be invalidated if you don’t maintain your property and take proper precautions against damage, including fire, but for thatched roofed properties vigilance and upkeep is particularly important. Your claims can be rejected, and your insurance policy invalidated if you don’t take the following measures which are usually specified in your policy documentation:
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