A thatched roof is a beautiful feature - and a genuinely different insurance risk from a tiled or slate one. At Chris Knott Insurance, we arrange specialist cover for thatched properties across the UK, taking into account the thatch type, chimney arrangements, fire-safety equipment, and rebuild costs that mainstream insurers often get wrong.
Our UK-based team has worked with thatched-home owners for years. Whether you're in a 400-year-old cottage or a purpose-built modern thatch, we can arrange cover that properly values your home and keeps premiums realistic.
Excellent service from start to finish. The team took time to understand exactly what I needed and found me a great policy at a competitive price. Couldn't be happier with the whole experience.
Been with Chris Knott for over 5 years now. Easy renewal process and the team are always a pleasure to speak with. Proper UK-based advice you can actually trust.
After being let down by my previous insurer, Chris Knott made the whole process painless. Honest, straightforward, and friendly from the very first call. Highly recommend them.
Andy was brilliant - talked me through all the options clearly, no pressure, and found me a much better deal than the comparison sites. This is how insurance should be done.
I needed specialist cover for my classic Jaguar and Chris Knott sorted it quickly and at a great price. Really impressed with the level of knowledge and personal service.
Switched my home insurance after a recommendation from a friend. Very competitive premium and the whole thing was done in under 20 minutes. Very pleased with everything.
First-class service. I dealt with Emma who was patient, helpful and knew exactly what I needed for my thatched cottage. Got proper specialist cover, not a standard policy.
Genuinely good old-fashioned customer service. A real person who actually listens and helps you find the right cover. Wouldn't go anywhere else for my insurance now.
Had a claim last year and Chris Knott supported me throughout. Made a stressful situation much easier. Fair, fast, and professional - exactly what you want from a broker.
Renewed my multi-car policy today. Still the best value I've found anywhere and the team remembered me from last year. That personal touch really makes a difference.
Very helpful team, especially when I needed to add a modified vehicle to my policy. Talked me through everything and made sure I was properly covered. Excellent all round.
Chris Knott have been brilliant for my listed property - most insurers wouldn't touch it but they found me comprehensive cover at a sensible price. Grateful for their expertise.
Efficient, clear, and competitive. I ran through three comparison sites before calling Chris Knott and they beat them all. UK-based team made the whole thing painless.
Outstanding from start to finish. I've recommended Chris Knott to everyone I know - my parents, my sister, and even my colleagues. They never let anyone down.
The service is what sets Chris Knott apart. You get proper advice from people who understand insurance, not a script. Worth every penny and more.
A thatched roof is a genuinely different risk, and mainstream insurers tend to treat it either with a blunt refusal or with premiums that reflect worst-case assumptions. The headline concern is chimney fire - burning embers meeting long-straw, combed wheat reed or water reed is a well-documented ignition route, and one claim can run into hundreds of thousands once roof, ceilings and smoke damage are added up. The variables matter too: thatch type, ridge condition, chimney lining, proximity to other buildings, whether the property is Grade II listed, and whether it's a traditional cottage or a newer build that's been thatched for style. All of this needs to be underwritten by someone who understands thatch, not averaged into a standard home quote.
Turn to a comparison site for a Grade II thatched cottage and the result is usually the same: no quote, or a quote with exclusions that leave the roof effectively uninsured. Listed status adds a second layer - repair and reinstatement have to be carried out by approved craftspeople using like-for-like materials, which means rebuild costs are significantly higher than a standard home of the same floor area. A botched estimate now can become a catastrophic shortfall later. Specialist insurers accept that thatched properties need a different underwriting approach: woodburner and chimney inspection records, thatch condition reports, suitable fire-retardant treatments and realistic rebuild sums. Our panel works with those insurers regularly and we can arrange cover that takes the property's actual profile into account, including listed property cover where it applies.
A policy arranged through our panel for a thatched home can include:
Call our UK-based team with the property address, thatch type and any recent chimney or thatch inspection reports, and we'll arrange a quote that reflects how the property is actually built and used.
The most common questions we're asked about thatched property insurance. Can't find what you're looking for? Speak to our UK-based team on 0800 917 2274.
The following factors influence the cost of thatched property insurance:
While thatched properties typically cost more to insure than conventional homes, there are several ways to manage your premium costs:
Installing fire-retardant treatments, heat detectors in loft spaces, smoke alarms, and ensuring chimneys are lined and regularly swept can all help reduce premiums.
Regular professional maintenance not only extends the life of your thatch but demonstrates responsible ownership to insurers. Keep detailed records of all maintenance work.
Quality locks on all doors and windows, alarm systems, and potentially CCTV can all help reduce the risk of theft and therefore lower premiums.
Opting for a higher voluntary excess can lower your premium costs, though you'll need to balance this against potential out-of-pocket expenses.
Work with a specialist broker - At Chris Knott Insurance, we understand thatched properties and have relationships with insurers who specialise in heritage homes, often securing better rates.
Whatever kind of property you own, rent or let, we arrange specialist cover from a panel of leading insurers. Browse our full range below or speak to our team.
One broker, many kinds of cover - all handled by our UK-based team.
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ExploreEvery page is written and fact-checked by our UK-based insurance specialists. Chris Knott Insurance has been arranging cover since 1983.
Every thatched property insurance policy is different. Speak to our specialist UK-based team and we'll arrange a quote that properly reflects your property and circumstances.
