Answer:
Yes. Many thatched homes are old and insurance is typically more expensive than for modern tiled houses. This is due to increased claims costs. There are 2 main reasons for this:
- Cost of repairs:
Material is more expensive for thatched roof than standard tile/slat roofs. Also, labour costs will be higher given the specialist skills required to repair by much sought after Thatcher’.
- The (perceived) increase of fire risk.
The reality is that thatched homes are no more likely to catch fire than conventional homes. However, when they do catch fire, the results can often be a lot more spectacular and cause severe damage given how quickly the fire can spread.
Although insurance is higher than for standard private homes, it should not be exorbitantly so. The best advice is to speak to thatch insurance specialists (like the staff in Thatchline!) who will understand your needs a lot more than standard home insurance providers. At Thatchline, we are thatch broker who can do other home insurance products. Most other personal lines insurance brokers are home insurance providers, who may be able to do thatch insurance. That could be a crucial difference in getting a suitable and value for money thatch insurance policy.