Rethatching Work Needed or Planned?
This, our eleventh insurance article, on thatch insurance and rethatching, came about from some interesting recent conversations.
Are you:-
- Getting rethatching quotes?
- Got your thatching quotes in and thatcher booked?
- In the middle of being re-ridged, maintenance or a complete rethatch?
If so, have you thought about any insurance implications.
Importantly, please make sure your thatcher has full insurance cover for any works they are doing on your property.
Thatch Insurance and Rethatching
When a situation arose, from a visitor regarding rethatching works and their insurance, it tweaked our interest to understand more on the implications.
The results of this led us to add thatch insurance and rethatching to our list of insurance articles because it was an useful learning exercise for us as well in advising visitors.
Insurance Cover on Rethatching Works
The information below from our Insurance Associates is definitely worth reading. Click on the heading to link to the insurers contact details.
The Home Insurer
Most insurers permit rethatching or re-ridging but it’s your duty to tell them it’s happening. Ideally you will be able to advise on duration of the works, how much it is costing and confirm occupied or unoccupied during the period. Your thatcher will need public or all risk insurance at least matching the value of your house to be completely rebuilt and contents replaced. You may receive some endorsements during the works period that you must comply with but costs of changes to insurance should be minimal. Once complete, let your insurers know so endorsements can be removed.
Brown & Brown
There are no requirements to re-thatch a property but you will be asked when the roof was last re-thatched. If the re-thatching occurred over 30 years ago, it is a refer to your insurer, with a recent thatch condition report from a thatcher.
Most insurers need the thatched roof to be inspected by a suitably qualified thatcher at least every 10 years, though some are every 5 years. There are different types of thatch, differing depths, the ridge will need replacing more often than the main part of the roof.
Certis
Maintenance to the thatched roof is on everybody’s policy. It is key to claims being paid. The thatched roof should be inspected at least every 5 years, e.g. to avoid any areas that could led to an ingress of water on heavy rain or storms.
Lloyd & Whyte
When it comes to thatched property insurance, your insurer will require you have the entire thatch inspected by a qualified thatcher at least once every ten years, and that any recommendations made by the thatcher are carried out immediately.
While rethatching is not a requirement of your insurance policy, you will need to keep your roof in a good state of repair and tend to any maintenance issues. Your home insurance will not cover thatched roof upkeep, and you will be responsible for regular maintenance of your roof.
Activate Insurance
Thatched Insurance often requires that a thatch roof is inspected by a qualified thatcher at least once every 10 years and any recommendations from an inspection should be met within 60 days, unless your insurer agrees (otherwise, failing to comply could render your policy invalid) that’s if the worst occurred.
When rethatching, it’s important to follow your insurers requirements by notifying them, using a qualified thatcher, and thereafter adhering to the thatchers inspection recommendations. This will ensure you remain compliant with your Insurers policy terms. If in doubt, always discuss with your insurer or broker.
Thatch Assist
Maintaining your thatched roof is key to keeping your insurance valid. As a natural material thatch wears down over time so proactive upkeep is essential—insurers won’t cover general wear and tear or damage by pests such as squirrels and birds.
Most insurers require a thatch inspection report from a master thatcher every 10-years. If repairs are needed, contact your insurance provider as they may offer a time period to complete works. Always carry out any recommendations detailed in any inspection within the timescales advised by the thatcher and make sure you keep records of all work and inspections.
Final Comment on Insurance and Rethatching
Before any rethatching works commence, we recommend that you check your thatcher has insurance cover.
The next step is to then check your insurance cover and any stipulations on your policy with regard to any rethatching works, from repairs, reridging or a full rethatch. If in doubt contact your insurance company.
We appreciate the input from our specialist thatch insurance associates on this topic.