As the property market has boomed, and the cost of building work has increased, it is vital that thatch property owners review their levels of insurance every year as well as the cost.
There is a serious risk of being under insured with thatched houses, listed buildings and those in conservation areas or of a non-standard construction. In these cases the true rebuilding cost is often significantly higher than the figure given by standard calculations based upon floor area.
Many insurance companies now put the responsibility on the home owner to state a rebuilding cost figure. But if you claim and the loss adjuster declares the property to be underinsured, the insurers will deduct from their pay-out an amount equal to the percentage by which the property is under insured.
Because large sums are usually involved, even a small percentage difference can mean a devastating shortfall on the cost of rebuilding.
Thatch Shield Ltd offers a unique thatched property inspection and written rebuilding cost appraisal service. This service is available over zoom, whatsapp etc for £30.
Steve Graham will visit your home, (some geographical restrictions apply) carry out a thatch specific inspection and offer you an appraisal together with various insurance options based on the results of the appraisal. Home visit only £100, (£30 refundable if subsequent insurance policy is taken out)
This is a no-obligation service.
Make sure your thatched or period home is properly insured - Losses typically start at £100K, the average being closer to £500K, but with some claims closer to £1M, it really does pay to ensure your home is properly covered. With over 40 years thatched property experience, Thatch Shield Ltd is uniquely placed to ensure that your cover is both sufficient and all-embracing.
"By talking to me, I can present a risk to an insurance company that will make it probably more likely that they will quote than if the client spoke directly to the insurers, because as we know in this day and age, it's a case of "computer says yes or computer says no" and it's difficult getting around that, so if there's a question that needs a little variation from either yes or no, the answer needs to be presented correctly or it could result in them not getting a quote, whereas if you present a scenario where (in the case of a wood burner) the chimney might not be lined and insulated, it's lined, but the client will get it insulated and, subject to planning permission, get the chimney height extended, the problem can be averted." Steve Graham, Managing Director Thatch Shield Ltd