An AA guide to thatch insurance

Citation

(1998), "An AA guide to thatch insurance", Property Management, Vol. 16 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/pm.1998.11316cab.011

An AA guide to thatch insurance

An AA guide to thatch insurance

Specialist buildings and contents insurance is now available from the AA to cover thatched roofs.

There are 50,000 thatched homes in the Cotswolds, East Anglia, the West Country and southern counties. Three out of four are listed buildings, and all give a picture-postcard image of "Olde" England. Most insurance companies, however, are unwilling to cover thatched cottages, and those that will, often charge premiums 40 per cent above average.

"Thatch does represent a risk for underwriters, not least because the roof costs around £20,000 to replace and repairs tend to be even more expensive for listed houses", says George Lowe, Director of AA Insurance.

AA Insurance can now offer competitive premiums with a comprehensive level of cover through Thatch Underwriting Agencies. Policies include the same benefits as an ordinary buildings and contents policy ­ important to owners of thatched properties, since they often have trouble finding cover and have very little choice of provider.

Exploding rodents or just Aga sagas?

A thatch fire which caused damage valued at £60,000 at a cottage in Norfolk was blamed on a rat which, poisoned by phosphorus, crept into the roof-space and decomposed. The resulting build-up of gases ­ the theory goes ­ caused the rat to explode ...

Since fire accounts for 7 per cent of claims but more than 50 per cent of claims costs, fire is insurers' greatest concern. Underwriters will want to know about the state of electrical wiring and recommend that it is checked every ten years. You will also be asked about the type of fuel burned for heating.

"Fires in thatched roofs are rarely caused by sparks from solid fuel fires", says Lowe. "More often, the cause is hot gases escaping into the thatch. Wood-burning stoves can generate temperatures of around 400°C, producing intense heat in the chimney flue, so insurers will insist on a full chimney liner."

The message from AA Insurance: "If you don't know your liggers[1] from your crooks[2], don't worry ­ we'll still be able to find you the right cover".

Notes

1. 1.

   Liggers ­ split hazel or willow rods used for decoration on thatched roofs.

2. 2.

   Crooks ­ a rod with a hook at one end, used for securing the thatch.