Will home insurance cover a thatched roof?

This guide is for informational purposes only. We do not currently offer specialised thatched roof insurance at MoneySuperMarket.

Key takeaways

• Properties with thatched roofs present unique risks like higher fire hazards and specialised repair needs.

• Home insurance costs for thatched roofs tend to therefore be higher due to the specialised nature of construction and repair techniques and rebuild cost.

• Many insurers don’t offer cover for thatched roofs, so you might need to go to a specialist insurer or one who deals with non-standard property.

What is a thatched roof?

A thatched roof is a type of roofing made from natural materials such as straw, reeds, or rushes, which are layered and tightly packed to shed water and provide insulation. Thatched roofs are commonly found on traditional or historic buildings.

This kind of roof requires specialist construction and maintenance, and while they offer a few benefits they also present unique risks that other types of roofs don’t. As such, they often require specialist cover that you won’t get with a standard home insurance policy.

What types of thatched roofs are there?

Thatched roofs are made from a variety of different materials, including:

• Straw

• Water straw

• Reeds

• Grass

• Rushes

What home insurance do I need for a thatched roof?

For a thatched roof home you usually need non-standard or specialist home insurance, because most mainstream policies either exclude thatch or heavily restrict it due to higher fire and maintenance risks.

This will give you financial protection against damage resulting from storms, floods, fire and bad weather, as well as theft and burglary.

You’ll also be covered for damage to contents as a result of the above affecting your thatched roof - though check your policy to be sure of how much cover you have.

It’s important to note that you’ll usually only be able to claim for damage to a thatched roof if it has been properly maintained and kept in good condition; if it was already in poor repair before the insured event (such as a storm or fire), your claim may not be covered.

Are thatched roofs more expensive to insure?

Yes – thatched roofs are generally more expensive to insure in the UK.

This is because insurers see them as a higher-risk, mainly due to:

• Higher fire risk (thatch burns and spreads quickly if it ignites).

• Very expensive repairs/rebuilding (specialist materials and skilled thatchers are needed).

• Limited insurers offering cover, which reduces competition and pushes prices up.

Will insurers refuse to cover a thatched roof?

Yes – some insurers will refuse to cover a thatched roof property, especially insurers that only offer standard home insurance. This means you may need to look for specialist cover.

In most cases, you’ll be required to do some or all of the following to get cover:

• Have your home’s wiring be inspected regularly by an electrician.

• Have your chimney regularly cleaned and expected.

• Have your thatched roof regularly inspected.

• Maintain fire safety rules and keep extinguishers on each floor of your home and smoke detectors in each room.

What are the benefits of a thatched roof?

Thatched roofs offer a number of benefits to a property, including:

What are the drawbacks of a thatched roof?

A thatched roof has drawbacks including higher fire risk, increased insurance and maintenance costs, and more expensive specialist repairs compared with standard roofs.

• Thatched roofs can be a higher fire risk, and can cause flames to spread quicker.

• They may be vulnerable to particularly harsh weather conditions like heavy rain or win.

• They require regular specialist maintenance to prevent them deteriorating, and this is often necessary to keep your insurance valid too. Your insurer may even require inspections of your roof.

• They can be prone to infestation from animals that like to nest in thatched roofs.

Tips for keeping a thatched roof

The following tips can help you keep your thatched roof in good shape, and also potentially help reduce your insurance premiums:

• Install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor.

• Get your electrics, wiring and chimney inspected regularly.

• Install a fire-resistant barrier under the thatched roof and use a fire-retardant spray to reduce the fire risk.

• Have your roof regularly inspected and maintained by qualified tradespeople.

Compare thatched roof home insurance

Comparing home insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket is the quickest and easiest way to find cover for home.

Just tell us a bit about yourself, your home and the cover you need, and we’ll search the market for quotes that meet your requirements. However, you might find that only a limited number of insurers will cover your thatched roof property. To find the right cover, you should contact specialist insurers directly.