Timber frame faces insurance boycott

Insurers could remove cover or hike up premiums for existing timber-frame buildings over safety concerns.

The warning follows an apparent rise in the number of fires in large timber-frame buildings. Around 40% of fires that provoked a claim of more than £150,000 involved structures built using modern methods of construction, which included timber frame and light gauge steel frame.

The figure is based on data compiled by RISCAuthority and follows a report by the Association of British Insurers in December that found commercial fire claims were running at a 20-year high.

One of the UK's biggest insurers Aviva said it suffering “disproportionate losses” from large buildings built using modern methods of construction.

“There may come a day when some materials will be challenged; the risk assessor will say we are not prepared to take that risk.”