Expert advice and practical checklists to keep your thatched home protected and well maintained.
Thatched roof insurance is still possible in many high flood‑risk areas, but it becomes more specialist, more conditional and often more expensive. The challenge is that you are combining two "non‑standard" risks in one property: a thatched roof and a problematic flood postcode.
When the roof is one of the most expensive and high‑risk elements of a thatched home, the details you share about renovations can make the difference between smooth cover and awkward disputes at claim time.
Thatched cottage insurance claims are often larger and more complex than claims on standard homes, so insurers scrutinise them closely before paying out. When something goes wrong, small mistakes in disclosure, maintenance or paperwork can become big reasons for refusal.
Thatched roof insurance usually covers the same core risks as standard home insurance, but with extra conditions, higher scrutiny and some very specific exclusions. The key differences are around fire, rebuilding a non‑standard property and how carefully you maintain and disclose information about your thatched home.
Woodburners, chimneys and thatched roofs are a combination insurers scrutinise more closely than almost any other feature in a thatched cottage. Insurers know that many thatch fires start around flues and solid‑fuel stoves, so they set strict rules that directly affect whether you can get cover, keep it, and have a claim paid if something goes wrong.
Thatched roof fire risk is one of the main reasons insurance for these properties is more expensive and harder to obtain than for standard homes. Insurers focus less on how pretty the cottage looks and more on how likely it is to suffer a serious fire and how severe that loss would be.
Reducing the cost of insuring a thatched cottage in 2026 is mainly about proving to insurers that your home is well maintained, low risk and accurately insured, rather than simply hunting for the cheapest quote.
Thatched roof insurance in 2026 typically costs significantly more than standard home cover, with buildings premiums often running into several hundreds of pounds a year or more because thatched homes are seen as higher‑risk, higher‑cost properties to rebuild.
Whether home insurance covers roof damage on a thatched property depends on the exact wording of the policy, the cause of the damage and how well the roof has been maintained. Standard home policies often exclude or tightly limit thatched risks, so most owners need specialist cover and must pay close attention to conditions around fire, storm and wear and tear.
Why thatched cottage insurance is more expensive than standard home insurance comes down to one thing: insurers see a small, specialist, high‑severity risk that is costly to repair when it goes wrong. Brokers add that limited insurer appetite, older building types and strict fire‑safety expectations all drive premiums up further for owners.
Grade II listed thatched cottage insurance checklist. Expert guide to getting specialist cover for listed properties. Prepare the right documents and information to secure better terms. Get your quote today.
Thatched commercial property insurance for pubs, B&Bs and holiday lets is usually more expensive and more conditional than cover for a standard business premises because insurers see a combination of thatch‑specific fire risk, higher rebuild costs and commercial guest exposure. Owners who prepare detailed information on the building, fire safety and how the business operates are more likely to get competitive, appropriate terms from specialist markets.
With proper installation and maintenance, thatched roofs can last 25–40 years or more. Lifespan depends on material, pitch, climate, and care routines.
Understand UK thatched roof costs per m²: £60–£200 depending on material, pitch, complexity, insulation, scaffolding, ridge work, and region.
2025 brings strict Ecodesign stove rules, 1.8m chimney height standards, insulated flues, and insurer-driven warranties for thatched properties. Here’s the full regulatory picture and how to comply.
