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What does thatched property insurance cover?

Stanhope’s thatched property insurance covers a range of different types of thatched roofs and more. Our full list of cover includes:

  • Cover for every type of thatched roof construction, from Devon reed to combed wheat, water reed, Norfolk Reed, fibre and long straw
  • Cover for a full range of heating types, from gas, oil and electrical heating to wood burning/solid fuel stoves and open fires too.
  • Cover for your home whether it is owner occupied, listed, a holiday home, Airbnb or let property
  • Correct cover to allow for repairing and replacing of non-standard materials
  • Bespoke cover for your buildings and contents
  • Access to insurance valuers to assist with your rebuilding cost
  • Worldwide all risks cover as standard
  • Accidental damage cover as standard
  • Items like jewellery and artwork can be added to the policy

What is thatched property insurance

Thatched property insurance, also referred to as thatched roof insurance, is a specific type of home insurance that is designed to protect homes with thatched roofs. Thatched roofs are made from a variety of materials including straw, reeds, and even palm fronds, and are common in rural areas and some historic districts. Because thatched roofs are more susceptible to fire than other types of roofs, thatched property insurance policies typically offer higher levels of coverage for fire damage.

What should i consider before making an enquiry?

The thatched property insurance market, just like high value home insurance, is limited with only a handful of providers offering solutions. Our present thatched property insurance products will offer cover subject to:

  • Where any open fires or wood burners are in use, the height of the chimney must be at least 1.8meters above the thatch
  • The electrics at the property are inspected once every 5 years
  • Any chimney(s) in use to be swept at least once every 12 months
  • The thatch roof must be inspected once every 10 years
  • Any spark arrestors installed must be removed

Plus when getting a thatched insurance quote from us, we recommend you have the following information ready:

  • Your address and postcode.
  • The year your house was built.
  • Any history of flooding, subsidence or landslip.
  • Your claims history.
  • Your occupation.
  • Any unspent convictions.
  • If you’ve ever had home insurance cancelled, refused or terms imposed in the past.

Please note, we can only cater up to £1.2million building sum insured for thatch properties, so get in touch with our team to find out if you’re eligible.

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What are the benefits of thatched roof insurance?

A bespoke thatched property insurance policy can offer various benefits not only for your home, but also your own wellbeing. With your home’s contents being included in our policy, you can have peace of mind that everything will be covered should the worst happen.

In addition, our policy is flexible. We cover every type of thatch and a full range of heating types. Plus, our policy is completely bespoke, allowing you to get a quote that is personalised to you and your requirements.

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Alternatively, please contact an insurance advisor on 01730 777 600.

How do thatched roof insurance claims work?

If the time comes to make a claim, our team will guide you through the process efficiently to ensure it is settled quickly. We recommend you:

  • Locate your insurance documents and have all the necessary information on hand
  • Call the claims team and have your policy number ready
  • If requested, provide photos to let us understand what happened as quickly as possible

A guide to insuring a thatch property

Within this article we outline the five considerations for insuring a thatched property and four easy steps on how to get your property insured using Stanhope Insurance. 

Why choose Stanhope for your thatched property insurance?

Stanhope is part of Stanhope Cooper, an award-winning business, based in London and Hampshire. Stanhope is a leading provider of niche and specialist insurance to the UK home insurance market, voted as High Net Worth Insurance Broker of the Year 2025 at the UK Broker Awards (Insurance Age). We focus on providing solutions that fit outside the standard UK home insurance norms, including thatched property insurance. Our full list of credentials include:

  • 17 years of high value home, specialist home insurance and luxury protection experience.
  • Get a policy that is bespoke to you and your individual needs.
  • Over 2,800 reviews with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 with Reviews.IO and Google Reviews.
  • Clear advice and recommendations based on your circumstances.

We provide customers with a bespoke insurance solution that fits their unique insurance needs. Our expert team is dedicated to providing exceptional levels of customer service and want all our customers to know that they have the right policy in place at the right price, for their specific set of circumstances.

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Thatched property insurance FAQ’s

How often should my thatched roof be inspected?

It’s our hope that your thatched roof has been inspected by a specialist thatcher within the last 10 years. If it has not been inspected within the last 10 years then we’d recommend you do this prior to arranging insurance.

Why can thatched roofs be more expensive to insure?

Insurance for thatched roofs typically costs more because of the skills and expertise it takes to repair them. Plus, the materials used in thatch roofs such as straw, reeds, and rushes are more combustible, allowing a fire to spread much quicker. As a result, a house with a thatched roof is more at risk of damage if the necessary precautions haven’t been taken.

Plus, if your thatched property is a listed building, there might be certain rules and regulations around reconstruction, which could lead to a more expensive premium.

How often should my electrics be inspected?

We recommend you have the electrics inspected by a qualified electrician once every 5 years and have any remedial works carried out. This minimises the risk of unexpected electrical fires, which can cause havoc to a thatched roof.

How often should my chimney(s) be swept?

Chimneys must be swept annually to ensure any built up dirt and debris is removed. The more you use your chimney, the more it needs sweeping.

Can I use naked flames at the property?

No, naked flames or tools producing naked flames cannot be used in the attic or loft space at the home. This is a serious fire risk and could invalidate your policy if damage were to occur as a result.

What types of thatch are covered?

We can insure many types of thatch in our policy, including:

  • Devon reed.
  • Longstraw.
  • Wheat reed.
  • Water reed.
  • Norfolk reed.
  • Combed wheat.

Your thatched property might fall outside of these materials. If so, consult your policy document or contact your insurer for more information.

Can I use my BBQ at my thatch home?

Yes you can, but it must be a certain distance away from the house to avoid high flames or sparks from making contact with the roof. Always check your policy to see what it says about BBQs.

Do I need to have fire extinguishers at the home?

Yes. For most of our products, two fire extinguishers must be inside the property, alongside a fire blanket in the kitchen. We recommend one fire extinguisher on each floor at the home.

Should I treat the roof with a fire retardant?

There are multiple opinions on this matter. Some say yes, others say no. In short, the insurer takes a liberal view on this matter and we will be able to arrange terms whether you have or have not.

My property has a thatched roof, can you help?

If your property has a thatched roof, then you will be aware of how difficult it is to obtain comprehensive insurance cover. A thatched roof is more likely to catch fire than a standard tiled roof. Our team can provide you with wide-ranging cover for your thatched property from our panel of insurers.

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