Insurance and Solid Fuel Burning
Thatch Insurance and Solid Fuel Burning “is an incendiary topic” was the response from one insurer and it is true. Who better to understand the risks with burning solid fuel than our specialist thatch insurers. Policies have been adjusted over the years to allow for this and any additional useful research and information which has arisen. A chimney sweep recently said to me that risks are such that they can be broken into the three Fs, flue, fire and ******. We think they meant that lack of understanding is often a huge contributory factor. To that end, we work hard in educating people so that risks are reduced and insurance requirements are met.
Understanding Solid Fuel Burning
Excellent work has been, and still is being, undertaken in looking at thatch fires, causes, risks and how to reduce them. Solid fuel burning is a risk factor. Distinguishing between wood burning appliances and open fires seems an interesting area, which we have yet to look at further. Thatch fire numbers have been reducing over the last few years, hopefully due to increased education and driven by insurance requirements. The start of this year was then hugely disappointing to see too many thatched property fires in a short space of time. See our previous article.
We, and the insurers, want to help everyone to understand and reduce the fire risks from solid fuel burning. The more we can reduce the thatch fire numbers the better to maintain a good range of insurers to offer cover. Most thatch properties are unique, similar in many ways but with differences, so options on insurance cover are invaluable.
Insurers Comments on Solid Fuel Burning
Here are some wise words from some of our Specialist Thatch Insurers on this topic of solid fuel burning.
Lloyd & Whyte Heritage
From May 2023, the sale of coal used in fuelling open fires and wood burners was banned. You can, however, burn solid fuels in the form of seasoned wood with a moisture content of less than 20% and smokeless fuels often in the form of briquettes.
For further advice around which type of solid fuel you can burn in your heat source, please talk to your heating appliance installer or engineer.
If you are looking to insure your thatched property, Lloyd & Whyte Heritage can arrange comprehensive and accurate cover for your heritage home.
Thatch Assist
Burning solid fuels dramatically increases the fire risk to your property, stray sparks or chimney issues can quickly escalate into a catastrophic event. Insurers recognise this danger requiring you to take proactive measures to protect your property.
Regular chimney sweeping is essential to remove soot/creosote etc (which are highly flammable). Regular chimney camera inspections will help detect defects in flues, liners and brickwork which are not visible from sweeping. Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers offer early warnings. These safety measures, aren’t just about protecting your property, but essential for getting and having valid insurance in the event of a claim.
Thatch Cover
Solid fuel heating in thatched properties is a common point of contention among insurers. In fact, it’s a perfect example of how their stances vary.
Some require chimney heights of 1.8m above the ridge, while others do not. Premiums can also vary – some insurers make no adjustment, while others ‘load’ differently between open fires and wood burners.
If you’re considering solid fuel heating, have been advised to alter your chimney, or suspect you’re overpaying, call our experts. We compare policies from over 20 thatch insurers to find the most suitable and cost-effective solution for your home.
The Home Insurer
Burning solid fuel is not an issue for most insurers, providing you meet the policy terms and conditions. That normally means a chimney 1.8m above the thatch ridge and sweeping the chimney every six months. Common sense bonfires and BBQs – keep a fair distance away.
The number of insurers is small, covering chimneys only 1m above the ridge, and ever decreasing. A policy offering chimney sweeping only once per year, is increasingly rare; there is hard claims evidence showing a single sweep per year is associated with more fires.
Pellets are a solid fuel and should be treated similarly.
Our Conclusion on Solid Fuel Burning
We understand that many people living in thatched properties want, and even need, to burn solid fuel and many do so successfully without issue. Taking sensible precautions to manage the solid fuel burning is essential and the insurance policies often reflect this, which makes sense.
The insurers don’t want to be paying out claims for fire damage due to solid fuel burning any more than the home owners don’t want an incident. Accidents do happen but the fire risks can be reduced. Please make sure you meet your insurers requirements when solid fuel burning. They are there to reduce the risks and will keep your insurance valid should you need it. Please also read our Thatch Fire Safety Leaflet which was written to summarise all relevant points and based on the most recent thatch fire data and research.
Working together is our motto. Collaborating to help improve thatching insurance and solid fuel burning knowledge and understanding along with options is very important.
Solid fuel burning is one of the biggest risk factors identified as a cause of thatch fires but the more we grasp this situation, refine the advice and enhance the education, the better.
We don’t want the undesirable situations of thatched properties being uninsurable or owners not bothering to insure their properties.
Thank you to all our Specialist Thatch Insurers for their contributions on this tricky topic and to Stubby’s Chimney Sweeping for some helpful pictures.
Meeting thatch insurance and solid fuel burning requirements based on the best fire safety advice has to be the way forward.
We continue to look at thatch fire numbers, causes, ways to reduce the risks and will carry on with our updates and keeping you informed on progress. Insurance and solid fuel burning continues to be part of this.