Thatched roof insurance with buildings insurance

A home with a thatched roof

A thatched roof is popular and adds charm to a home, but it has more risks than a tile roof. Consider the risk of fire or storm damage. Fortunately, you can easily take out buildings insurance to cover these risks. Because of the risks, insurers are more cautious.

Stricter conditions insurance thatched roof

If you take out buildings insurance for a house with a thatched roof, there are often stricter conditions than for a house with a tiled roof. This is because thatched roofs pose more of a fire hazard. The following are often required:

• The house must be made of stone. Wooden houses with a thatched roof are often not insured.
• The house must have approved fire safety measures such as a spark arrestor on the chimney. a smoke or fire alarm system or a fire extinguisher.
• The insurer may request a facade with no openings between the thatched roof and the living space to reduce the risk of fire transmission.
• The year of construction of the house is also important. Older houses are sometimes riskier due to their construction or materials used. This leads to higher premiums or additional requirements.
• No fireplace or wood stove. Or allowed only if additional measures are taken such as an approved chimney or heat-resistant pipe. You must also have the chimney swept at least once a year.
• It may be mandatory to have a licensed thatcher regularly maintain the thatched roof

Compensation for damage after fire or leakage

Most insurers, in the case of a building insurance policy with fire coverage, not only reimburse the damage caused by fire, but also fire and water damage. In addition, soot damage is also usually compensated by the insurer. This also applies to damage to the thatched roof.

If the fire completely destroys your home, most insurers will reimburse the cost of rebuilding the home. This is called the rebuilding value. Insurers determine this value by using the rebuild value meter.

However, always check the policy terms to see exactly what the insurer covers in the event of a fire.

Coverage in case of leakage

Storms are becoming more frequent in the Netherlands. If you're unlucky, this causes leakage of your thatched roof. Fortunately, damage caused by flooding and bad weather is co-insured if you take out buildings insurance.