Insuring grade2 thatched cottage

[jocelyn plummer]

Just on the trawl now for insurance!

I saved the threads for rebuild policies that we all discussed in January and found them very helpful.

We have spoken to our current provider ( Greenbee) and they have diverted us to their department dealing with thatch, so that is one quote awaited.

We will also check the leads in 'Living Under Thatch', but does anyone have first hand experience to help us find a third quote?

Again, previous articles on the subject of Thatch in PPUK have been most helpful, thank you to those who contributed with such down to earth advice.

Changing tack slightly, how the heck do we squeeze into this teeney tiny thatched space, anyone up for a 'stately home boot fair'-----------? :roll:

 

[Moo]

Regarding the 'downsizing' question - we had exactly the same problem in our last house, Joss: it had fewer, and much smaller, rooms than the one we had left and there was no way in which all our furniture would fit in.
Our solution was to squeeze in what we could, send a lorry-load to the auction, and persuade kind friends to look after the pieces that had real sentimental value.
It's turned out to have been the right decision; our next (current) house is on a much more generous scale and can accommodate the furniture that we 'boarded out', and there are only a couple of things that went to auction that we rather regret losing.

xxx M

ps I'm sure there are plenty of lovely PPUK people who would give a loving (temporary) home to some of the things that don't fit!

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Maybe I should start a 'Rent-a-Portrait' business!!

J xxx

 

[Moo]

We're already 'minding' a portrait for some friends, and have plenty more spare wall-space (not floor-space, unfortunately) if that's any help.

xxx M

 

[swoodley]

I trawl around every year and usually try the following:

Lark Insurance (larkinsurance.co.uk - Thatched Property Association)
Playe Russell (laplaya.co.uk)
Thatched Owners Group (http://www.thatchline.com)
Adrian Flux (Insurance brokers) - they charge a £20 fee, but effectively do the comparison for you.

Hope this helps.

 

[Penners]

Joss - have you tried NFU Mutual? They're widely used by owners of thatched/period/listed properties.

 

[Pford75]

I would echo Penners comments about NFU and from local reports, they seem to have a more 'honest' approach to settling claims. We will certainly be exploring them when we reinsure.

I would also suggest Brit Insurance (although you will probably have to go via a broker - we use Aon Private Clients in Bristol). They will cover anything and will write a policy exactly to your needs, with agreed rebuild costs.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Thank you Folks,

NFU is on the list, plus the Brit Insurance. Certainly keeping 'im indoors' busy!

Is it the certain something age, or the system that is making us sooooo cautious?

 

[Anita]

We use Bruford Valance in Taunton - who have a historic houses policy. They are a small brokers and you actually get to speak with a real person - no call centre or automatic 'phone services.

 

[Moo]

How do these firms compare on price with the big boys? I'd like to switch our insurance to a more clued-up company, but would first have to convince my OH that we could afford it.

 

[clematis]

We have our thatched cottage insured with NFU Mutual and are very happy with them. We had to make a claim just 3 days after we moved in as someone came crashing through our fence in their car and demolished a stable/log store. I'm pleased to say NFU were brilliant. Very professional and settled very quickly. Can thouroughly recommend them.

 

[Penners]

How do these firms compare on price with the big boys? I'd like to switch our insurance to a more clued-up company.

What do you mean by "clued up", Moo? Last time I renewed our house insurance I did a considerable amount of hunting around big and small, specialist and non-specialist brokers and companies, to make sure that (a) my insurer recognised the construction and special needs of my listed building, and (b) my rebuild cost figure was realistic. I was quoted some astronomical premium figures by companies who assured me that I was covered against every risk from iguana attack to planetary collision, but in the end I found that the most sensible, middle-of-the-road deal I got was from good old You-Know-Where-Bor Union.

Thatch is, of course, a special case, but not one that concerns you, n'est-ce pas?

 

[Moo]

Thanks, Penners. I think we're with them anyway, so that's one job I can tick off my list.