Thatched house insurance – when is a bedroom not a bedroom?

Did you know a three-bedroom house with an office can be considered a four-bedroom house? This not only affects your property value but also your thatched house insurance.

The pandemic lockdown saw nearly half of UK employees working remotely from home ¹ in an office, possibly converted from a spare bedroom, dining room or outside building. Now, post pandemic, the number of employees in the UK who work on a hybrid basis has risen from 13% in February 2022 to 24% in May of the same year ².

Working from home

The necessity of working from home meant people became inventive and creative. Suddenly the under stairs cubby hole took on new meaning. Overnight, desks, office chairs, desk lighting and desk organisers were installed.

The old outhouse became a hub of activity, turned into a New Age/Space Age room – housing computers, a desk, books, office furniture, plants and perhaps a candle or two. And of course, the spare bedroom, previously home to old shoes, empty boxes, discarded clothes and general junk, was transformed into a light, bright workspace.

But while you congratulated yourself for being inventive and remaining productive at work (with the help of online video calls, emails, and messaging platforms), did you consider the implications around your insurance when you changed the spare bedroom into an office?

For example, your four-bedroom house is now a three-bedroom house, as only three bedrooms out of the four have beds – right? Not quite. Many insurers will still consider you as living in a four-bedroom property.

How do insurers base your premium calculations?

Insurers base their calculations on the number of rooms in your house which were originally built, and intended to be bedrooms, even if you haven’t used one or more of the rooms as a bedroom for years. Usually, the more bedrooms you have, the higher your premium and sums insured will be, but trying to cut corners can backfire. When you talk to your insurer about a quote, do make sure you state the correct number of bedrooms your property has, as failing to do so could lead to your policy becoming invalidated, and any claims made, potentially rejected.

If you have converted your attic into an office space, let your insurers know – for your peace of mind around being properly protected. Insurers need to have the correct information to make sure a claim isn’t rejected because of incorrect information around the type of home you have.

Garden offices

Converting an old shed, conservatory, garage, or outbuilding can add around 5% to the resale value of your property. ³ Add to this the fact that you have an extra space from which to work, play, create, or practice yoga, and the cost and time of updating or renovating the outside building is often a small price to pay. This however may fall under “structural changes” in terms of your insurance policy, so again, it’s worth letting your insurers know of any conversions, renovations, or updates.

If you use your outside room as a commercial premises, for example, a hairdresser, beauty therapy, a counselling practice or yoga studio, you might need commercial building insurance to protect both you and your clients.

The importance of thatched house insurance

Thatched houses are charming and iconic, often associated with rural beauty and historical value. However, their unique characteristics make them more vulnerable to specific risks, emphasizing the importance of specialised thatched house insurance.

The primary concern for thatched properties is fire. Thatch roofs are more flammable than other roofing materials and can ignite quickly if exposed to open flames, sparks, or lightning. Their construction also makes fires harder to extinguish, often leading to extensive damage. Standard home insurance policies may not provide adequate coverage for these risks, making specialised thatched house insurance essential.

In addition to fire risks, thatched roofs require regular maintenance to prevent issues such as water ingress, pest infestation, or structural damage. Comprehensive insurance can include coverage for these risks and ensure repair costs are manageable.

Thatched house insurance often considers the unique value and heritage status of such properties, offering tailored policies to cover higher rebuilding costs or the need for specialist craftsmen. Without proper insurance, homeowners could face significant financial burdens in the event of damage or loss.

If you’re not sure where you stand with your home insurance, talk to us. To enquire about your existing home insurance or request a quote, please contact our team of insurance specialists. We’re on-hand to help you get the best out of your policy.

Call: 01823 250702 (existing customers)

01823 250780 (new customers)

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Lloyd & Whyte Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England No. 03686765. Registered Office: Affinity House, Bindon Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6AA. Calls may be recorded for use in quality management, training and customer support.