What is timber frame buildings insurance?

Owning a timber-framed property means living in a home full of charm and character. Often that’s from an older house, but many people choose new timber-framed homes because they are quicker to build, cost-effective, and often more energy-efficient than brick properties, as well as offering plenty of character.

But because these homes are often considered non-standard construction, insuring them is not always straightforward. Traditional insurers may see timber as higher risk due to fire, damp, rot or pest concerns, which can lead to higher premiums or even declined cover.

Thankfully, this is where specialist timber-framed insurance comes in. These policies offer the protection you need for your property, while recognising the increased risks timber can bring.

What does timber frame buildings insurance cover?

Building insurance for timber framed homes takes into account their unique risks to provide protection for the property and its structure. That said, cover can vary depending on the provider.

Some insurers include protection for timber-specific issues like wood rot, dry rot or pest infestations, while others may not. It really pays to compare.

Alongside protection tailored to your timber frame, these specialist policies also cover all the usual things you’d expect from a standard buildings insurance policy. This typically includes:

  • Damage to your home’s structure: Covers things like walls, roof, windows and permanent fixtures if they’re damaged by fire, smoke, lightning, flooding, theft or storms.

  • Subsidence and land movement: Includes cover for subsidence, heave of land and landslip, which can cause serious structural problems.

  • Alternative accommodation: Pays for somewhere else to live if your home is temporarily uninhabitable due to damage covered by your policy. Landlords may also be covered for lost rent.

  • Permanent fixtures and outdoor surfaces: Includes things like built-in wardrobes, kitchen worktops, driveways and patios – anything that's fixed in place as part of your home.

  • Replacement locks and keys: Covers the cost of replacing locks on external doors if your keys are lost or stolen, plus alarm systems and safes inside the home.

The above list is a helpful guide, but exactly what’s covered can vary between policies and lenders. It’s a good idea to compare timber framed buildings insurance options to find the right fit for your home.

What isn’t covered?

No insurance can cover absolutely everything, so it’s important to check what’s excluded from your policy. Depending on the insurer and policy, some common things often not covered by buildings insurance include:

  • General wear and tear or gradual deterioration.

  • Storm damage to fences, gates, or hedges.

  • Problems resulting from poor workmanship or design faults.

  • Any events or damage that happened before your policy started, or situations you knew about beforehand (like a flood warning for your area).

  • Loss, damage, or liability caused by deliberate or criminal actions by you or anyone living with you.

  • Damage caused by domestic animals, such as chewing, scratching, tearing or fouling.

Make sure you read the full policy details carefully to understand all the exclusions.

How much does timber frame buildings insurance cost?

Insurers do sometimes charge higher premiums for timber-framed properties, and it usually comes down to risk. Because wood is naturally more flammable, these homes are more vulnerable to fire damage, and repairs can be more complicated and costly than with brick builds.

Timber frames can also attract pests like termites or wood-boring insects. Over time, these little troublemakers can weaken the structure, which bumps up the risk in the eyes of insurers.

The silver lining? Staying on top of regular maintenance, from pest prevention to treating timber against rot, not only helps protect your home but may help to keep premiums down.

Here are some of the key influences on the cost of your buildings insurance:

  • Where you live: Areas with higher crime rates or more risk of flooding may push prices up.

  • The type of property: A listed building will usually cost more to insure than a standard home.

  • How your home’s built: The materials used to construct your home can affect your premium. For instance, timber-framed properties and thatched roof cottages might cost more to insure due to the increased fire risk and specialist skills and materials needed for repairs.

  • Rebuild cost: Insurers base your premium on how much it would cost to rebuild your home from scratch.

  • Security features: Having burglar alarms, secure locks, or CCTV might help bring down the premium.

  • Your claims history: If you’ve claimed in the past, it can affect your price going forward.

  • Optional extras: Adding things like accidental damage cover can cost a bit more, but could be worth it for the peace of mind.

  • Your excess: Picking a higher voluntary excess – that’s the amount you agree to pay yourself if you make a claim, on top of any fixed excess – can help bring down the cost of your premium.

Remember, it’s always worth shopping around when your renewal comes up. Even small differences in cover or excess can make a big difference to the premium.

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Page updated on 6th November 2025, Reviewed by Richard Groom