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When most people think about home insurance, they picture a fairly standard house – pitched roof, slate tiles, nothing out of the ordinary. But many homes across Ireland don’t fit that description. Properties with flat roofs needing flat roof home insurance are more common than people realise. From rear extensions and garages to modern builds and apartment-style homes, flat roofs can range from 10% to 100% of a property.

While flat roofs can make arranging cover more complex, it is absolutely possible to get home insurance for flat roof properties – especially with the right broker on your side.

At LHK Group, we specialise in non-standard home insurance in Ireland, including properties with flat roofs that don’t fit neatly into online quote boxes.

For general guidance on what home insurance typically covers in Ireland, Citizens Information provides a helpful overview.

 

What Is Considered a Flat Roof for Home Insurance? 

From an insurer’s point of view, a roof is typically classed as flat if it has a pitch of less than 10 degrees. When underwriting flat roof house insurance, insurers usually look at:

• The percentage of flat roof on the property

• Whether the flat roof is part of the main structure or an extension

• The age, condition, and materials used

• Maintenance and drainage

Some homes may only have a small flat-roofed kitchen extension, while others may be almost entirely flat-roofed. Each scenario is assessed differently, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works.

 

 

Can You Get Home Insurance with a Flat Roof? 

Yes – although the answer often depends on how you go about it.

Many direct insurers and online systems apply strict limits on the amount of flat roof they will accept. If your home falls outside those limits, you may be declined automatically – even though suitable cover does exist elsewhere.

This is where specialist home insurance in Ireland comes into play.

As an insurance broker, LHK Group works with insurers who are experienced in providing home insurance for flat roof houses, including properties that are considered non-standard.

 

Why Flat Roofs Are Seen as Higher Risk by Insurers 

Flat roofs aren’t uninsurable, but insurers tend to view them differently due to a few common risk factors:

• Water pooling and drainage issues

• Greater exposure to weather if not maintained

• Wear and tear over time

Because of this, insurers often ask more detailed questions. Providing the right information upfront can make a significant difference to both availability of cover and price.

 

Common Flat Roof Materials Insurers Will Ask About 

When arranging flat roof home insurance in Ireland, the material used is extremely important. Some of the most common flat roof materials include:

• Felt roofing (including torch-on felt)

• GRP / fibreglass roofing

• EPDM rubber roofs

• Single-ply membranes (PVC or TPO)

• Asphalt, often seen on older properties

Insurers will usually want to know:

• When the roof was installed or last upgraded

• Whether it was professionally fitted

• How it is maintained

Modern materials like GRP and EPDM are generally viewed more favourably when installed correctly, but older flat roofs can still be insured in the right circumstances.

 

How Much Flat Roof Will Home Insurance Allow? 

There’s a common belief that insurers won’t consider properties with more than 25% flat roof. In reality, this isn’t always the case.

Different insurers have different appetites:

• Some may accept up to 25% flat roof

• Others may consider 50% or more

• Specialist insurers can cover 100% flat roof properties

The key is matching the property with the right insurer – something that’s much harder to do without access to the wider market.

 

Why a Broker Matters for Flat Roof Insurance 

If you’ve been searching online and hitting dead ends, it doesn’t necessarily mean your home is uninsurable. It often just means your home is non-standard.

At LHK Group, we regularly arrange insurance for non-standard homes that direct insurers cannot accommodate. For flat roof properties, we:

• Gather the right details from the outset

• Understand which insurers are open to flat roof risks

• Access specialist home insurance providers

• Present your property correctly to underwriters

• Work to secure competitive terms that fit your home

 

Flat Roof Extension Insurance: A Common Issue 

One of the most common scenarios we see is where the main house has a pitched roof, but a kitchen, dining room or living space has been extended with a flat roof.

These properties are very common in Ireland and can usually be insured, but they still need to be disclosed properly. Flat roof extension insurance is an area we deal with every day.

 

Home Insurance for Homes That Don’t Fit the Standard Box 

The reality is that many Irish homes are non-standard in some way – and flat roofs are just one example. 

If your home has: 

• A significant flat roof 

• A flat roof extension 

• A modern or architect-designed structure 

…it’s worth speaking to a broker who understands specialist home insurance in Ireland.

 

Talk to LHK Group About Flat Roof Home Insurance 

Having a flat roof shouldn’t be a barrier to protecting your home properly. 

If you’ve struggled to find cover, been declined online, or just want reassurance that your current policy is suitable, our personal lines team is here to help. 

Contact LHK Group today to discuss home insurance for flat roof properties and other non-standard homes across Ireland.