Thatched Property Insurance

To obtain an accurate thatched roof property insurance quote, our thatched team will liaise with our insurer partners on your behalf. The essential information typically required includes:

• Your thatched property address and postcode
• The year your thatched house was constructed 
• Whether the property is owner occupied or a holiday home 
• The required buildings insurance and contents insurance sums insured (including any high-value items) 
• Any history of flooding, subsidence, or landslip affecting the property 
• A recent mains electrical wiring report 
• Confirmation of when your chimney has left been swept 
• Whether your chimney has spark arrestors fitted 
• Your claims history and any previous insurance claims 
• Your occupation 
• Any unspent convictions 
• Whether you have ever had home insurance cancelled, refused, or had special terms imposed 

Specialist schemes may use this information alongside structured risk assessment and, where appropriate, surveys (e.g. chimney or rebuild surveys) to ensure the cover offered is appropriate and sustainable. 

Each thatched property insurance quote is personalised to reflect the specific risks of your property, so the insurance premium will vary accordingly. Factors influencing the cost include the rebuild value, type of thatch (such as water reed, long straw, or wheat reed), whether the property is listed, and the presence of specialist materials. 

Underwriters would also look at chimney height, heating systems and consider location and exposure to flood and fire. Like any standard home insurance, they would also consider any risk management measures you have in place such as alarms or regular electrical inspections alongside your claims history. 

Because thatched properties are considered a higher-risk construction, premiums are typically higher than standard homes. However, specialist thatched insurance brokers take a more granular underwriting approach, meaning pricing is closely aligned to the actual risk rather than being overly generalised.

In most cases, yes.  Thatched property insurance tends to be more costly than standard cover for tile roof homes due to the higher fire risk associated with natural thatching materials and the specialist skills and materials needed for repairs. Many thatched roof properties are listed buildings, which can also increase home insurance premiums because of the higher rebuild value and repair complexities. 

For example, while claims such as escape of water occur more frequently, fire accounts for the largest share of overall claims cost in thatched property portfolios. This drives a more cautious and detailed underwriting approach. 

Our thatched team is experienced in helping thatched property owners arrange appropriate insurance, combining risk selection and management to offer sustainable cover in a restricted market. 

Typically, chimneys in thatched roof houses must be swept annually as a bare minimum to meet policy conditions and reduce fire damage risks. Regular chimney maintenance is vital, especially if you use wood burners or open fires, to ensure your Thatched property insurance remains valid.  It is recommended that you check the terms in your policy wording and check before buying your policy to make sure you adhere to this. 

Some schemes do require that thatched properties with chimneys used for open fires or solid fuel must be professionally swept at least twice a year: 

• Once before winter use (typically between July and October) 
• Once during or after winter (typically between January and March) 

These requirements are standard across specialist insurers and are designed to reduce the risk of chimney-related fires. Within schemes, chimney maintenance forms a key part of the policy conditions and ongoing risk management approach. Failure to meet these requirements could affect cover in the event of a claim.

A thatched property insurance policy can include buildings insurance to cover the structure of your thatched home, including specialist materials, and contents insurance to protect your valuable possessions. Optional extras, such as accidental damage cover, can often be added to provide the right cover to your specific risks. 

Thatched property insurance offers similar core cover to standard home insurance but with additional specialist considerations. 

Typically, cover includes: 

• Buildings insurance (including outbuildings and permanent structures)
• Contents insurance
• Protection against risks such as fire, storm, flood and escape of water
• Theft or attempted theft
• Property owners’ liability 

However, policies for thatched homes will usually include additional conditions and requirements, particularly around: 

• Chimney use and maintenance
• Electrical inspections
• Fire prevention measures
• Roof inspection and upkeep 

Specialist products can be designed to reflect these risks, combining cover with structured risk management to ensure long-term insurability. Feel free to speak to one of team to get a quotation to suit your property.