Thatched cottage owners 'should check home insurance cover'

Posted : 28-02-2007

Owners of property boasting original features such as wooden beams and thatched roofs are being advised to take precautions against fire and to ensure that their household insurance is up to date.

Last year, a record number thatch fires were reported in East Anglia, FindaProperty.com revealed.

According to the website, Norwich Union Insurance assessed a number of thatch fire home insurance claims which worked out on average at £100,000, which it asserts is 20 times more than the average house fire claim.

"While fires in thatch properties are rarer than in standard homes - mainly because of the extra precautions that thatch owners take - it is important to remember that once a fire takes hold in a thatch the damage can be much greater," Colin Connor, household underwriter at Norwich Union, told the website.

Furthermore, FindaProperty.com issued advice to home owners with thatched properties, including tips such as ensuring electrics are tested every six years and keeping thatch clear of electric cables and high wattage security lights.

The home insurance company also advised residents to fit smoke detectors and to keep fire extinguishers handy.


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