Thatched Roof Home Insurance Comparison

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Compare Thatched Roof Home Insurance

If you own a home with a thatched roof, you’ll know this beautiful feature gives your property real character. However, you may find that insuring the building and contents is more difficult than it is with a standard property. It could be a challenge to find a policy that is affordable and meets your needs. This is where specific thatched roof home insurance comes in, and helps you to protect your valuable assets while preserving your lovely home.

Why is it more expensive to insure a property with a thatched roof?

In some cases, it can be difficult for providers to ascertain the degree of risk involved in insuring a property with a thatched roof. When they’re unsure of the stability of a property, then they will charge more to protect it, in a practice known as premium loading. There are other factors that mean insuring your thatched roof home may cost more. These include:

Potential repair costs: If your roof becomes damaged, it can cost a lot more to fix or replace than a standard roof. Fixing a thatched roof can be expensive, and needs to be done by a specialist in this kind of work. Because this type of property is less common today, it can be difficult to find a professional thatcher to carry out the repairs.
Risk of fire: Many insurers consider a property with a thatched roof to have a much higher risk of fire, and they reflect this in the premiums charged.
Listed building status: Some thatched roof homes are designated as listed buildings. These types of buildings usually cost more to insure as they are often very old and have been constructed in ways that are not standard in terms of modern building regulations.

Thatched roof home insurance?

Regular home insurance wont cover a thatched roof property however there are specialists which offer insurance for thatched roof properties.

Are thatched roofs expensive to insure?

Thatched roof homes can be more expensive to insure than regular properties as the material used to make the roofing is more expensive than other conventional building materials.

Is it harder to get a mortgage on a thatched property?

It may be harder to find an insurer given the unique materials used in thatched roof properties however this does not mean you need to stress. Tiger can put you in touch with multiple specialist providers so you can find great thatched roof insurance deals.

Can you have an open fire or wood-burning stove in a thatched roof property?

You can have an open fire or wood-burning stove if you wish, but it is worth bearing in mind that these will increase the fire risk. If you take out insurance and then decide to put in a wood-burning stove after signing up for your policy, you are obliged to let the insurer know about this. If you don’t, you could invalidate your insurance and you may not get a payout if you make a claim.

Find thatched roof home insurance that’s great value at Tiger.co.uk

If you want cheap thatched roof home insurance, you’ll need to do your research to find a policy that is affordable. Save yourself time and effort and use Tiger.co.uk to compare thatched roof home insurance. We have a network of providers that specialise in this area, and they can provide competitive thatched roof home insurance quotes.

Which thatched home situation sounds like yours?

Insurers ask different questions depending on how the thatch is used and what sits beneath it. Pick the closest match below.

Your situation	What the insurer asks about	Next step
Thatched cottage you live in	Roof age, chimney and heating	Have the thatcher’s last invoice ready
Thatch with a wood burner or open fire	Chimney height, liner and sweeping	Book a chimney check before you renew
Listed thatched property	Consent and traditional repair costs	Listed building cover
Thatched holiday let	Guests and empty spells between bookings	Holiday home insurance
Thatched garage, barn or summerhouse only	Distance from the house	Declare it on the form
Recently rethatched roof	Date and type of work	Update your insurer

Fire safety steps insurers ask about on thatched houses

Chimneys and stoves are the main fire questions on a thatched house. Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service points to research linking thatch fires to wood burning stoves with lined chimneys below the recommended height.

The same guidance says most chimney-related fires start from embers thrown out of the chimney, often while the fire is being lit. It recommends a qualified chimney sweep for checks and maintenance.

Get the chimney swept and checked by a qualified sweep
Ask whether the chimney height suits your thatch and stove
Fit smoke alarms and test them regularly
Keep a record of electrical checks in the loft
Tell your insurer before you fit a new stove or open fire

Checklist before you request a thatch insurance quote

A few details make the difference between a quick quote and a long call back. Gather these first.

When the roof was last thatched or re-ridged, and by whom
The share of the roof that is thatched, if it is only part
Your heating set-up, including any stove, flue or open fire
Whether the house is listed, and its grade
Distance to any other thatched buildings nearby
A rebuild figure that allows for specialist roof work

Pros and cons of a specialist policy for a thatched cottage

Pros	Cons
Built for thatch repair costs and specialist trades	Usually costs more than cover for a tiled roof
Insurer expects stove and chimney questions	May set conditions on sweeping or stove use
Can combine with listed or holiday let cover	Fewer insurers to choose from

Policies vary, so check any conditions on chimney sweeping or stove use before you buy.

Compare thatched property insurance with Tiger.co.uk

Tiger.co.uk puts several thatched property policies side by side from one short form. Not every insurer covers thatch, so you may see fewer quotes than for a tiled roof.

Thatched homes sit within our wider non-standard home insurance range. If your cottage also has a timber frame, mention that too.

Sweep booked and roof dates found? Get thatched house insurance quotes on Tiger.co.uk. The form starts with your thatched roof already selected.

Do I need to tell my insurer when my roof is rethatched?

Yes, it is worth telling them. A new ridge or a full rethatch can change the roof’s age and condition on your policy. Keep the thatcher’s invoice, as insurers often ask when the roof was last done.

Does a thatched outbuilding make my home a thatched property?

It can. Many insurers ask about any thatch on the site, including garages, summerhouses and barns. Mention it on the form, even if the main house has a tiled roof.

Can I insure a thatched cottage I let to holiday guests?

Yes, but you need a policy that allows holiday letting. A standard owner-occupier policy may not cover guests or the gaps between bookings.

My thatched cottage is also listed. What changes?

Repairs may need consent and traditional materials, so the rebuild figure tends to be higher. Tell the insurer about both the thatch and the listing.

Who should check the chimney on a thatched house?

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service recommends a qualified chimney sweep, who can check the chimney and how it suits the thatch. Ask the sweep how often it should be cleaned.

Will a fire retardant spray lower my premium?

It might help with some insurers, but not all of them take it into account. Ask each insurer what fire measures they recognise before you pay for treatment.

Fact-checked by Ian Wilson, Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk. 20+ years in price comparison; MEng, Queen’s University Belfast.