Shield yourself against unforeseen harm
Listed Buildings Insurance
Reduce risk with a policy tailored to the distinct requirements of historic properties.
Safeguard your investment and heritage with specialized insurance designed for listed buildings.
You will get…
Why Choose Us
Expert Guidance on Regulations: Our company provides detailed guidance to comply with regulations for listed building alterations, preventing legal complications and fines.
Tailored Insurance Coverage: You’ll get policies specifically designed for listed buildings, covering costs associated with employing specialist tradespeople and using historically accurate materials.
Dedicated Support for Claims: Enjoy dedicated support during the claims process, providing efficient resolutions from damage assessment to repair completion.
Preservation of Historical Integrity: Insuring with us supports the preservation of architectural heritage, guarding your financial investment and a piece of history for future generations.
Importance of Listed Building Insurance
A listed building is a property that has been officially recognised by bodies such as Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland, or the Historic Environment Division in Northern Ireland due to its architectural or historical importance.
The listed status of a property means it holds a special interest, be it of historic interest or special architectural significance. Therefore, owning a listed building is much more than having a place to live; it’s about preserving a piece of history.
Listed buildings fall into different categories, typically known as “grades.” For instance, in England and Wales, buildings are classified as Grade I for exceptional interest, Grade II* for more than special interest, and Grade II for special interest.
Preserve and Protect
Why your historic home deserves special insurance? Learn the secrets to insuring your historic home.
Given their unique status and the specialist materials and building techniques used in their construction, listed buildings require a different type of insurance cover – listed building insurance. Listed buildings insurance is not the same as standard home insurance or buildings coverage; it includes the additional complexities, potential costs, and legal requirements associated with maintaining and repairing historical properties.
Owning a listed building means you’re legally required to preserve its character. Any repairs or alterations must follow specific guidelines and may require a listed building consent from the local planning authority or local council. Failing to obtain the necessary consent could result in a criminal offence, leading to hefty fines or even imprisonment.
The Costs of Insuring a Listed Building
The unique nature of listed buildings, coupled with the obligation to maintain their historical integrity, leads to higher home insurance premiums than for a standard property. The potential for expensive repairs using specific materials or traditional techniques, involving specialist tradespeople, is far higher.
For example, a broken window in a modern property might be a simple repair, but in a Grade II listed building, you might need to use appropriate materials and methods to maintain its historical authenticity, which can be costly.
Specialist insurance for listed buildings considers all the factors and offers coverage specifically tailored to the needs of these properties.
For instance, if you own a listed property with a thatched roof, the risk of fire or damage due to poor drainage might be higher, which will be taken into account when determining your insurance premiums.
Finding the Right Listed Building Insurance
When choosing listed building insurance, look for a specialist insurance provider or a home insurer that offers custom home insurance for listed properties. Only they will understand the complexities of insuring a listed building, from the intricacies of the property itself to steering the potential minefield of building consent and planning permission.
Conduct your own research and compare quotes from different insurance providers to find the best deal.
The cheapest policy isn’t always the best
Given the complexity of listed buildings, the insurance policy should cover the physical structure of the building and any attached structures. It should also include contents insurance to protect the items within the property from unexpected events like theft, fire, or accidental damage.
How to Get Listed Building Insurance
Given the unique requirements and potential higher costs, obtaining listed building insurance requires careful consideration. Here are some steps you should consider:
Know your property:
Understand the specifics of your property, including its:
- age,
- construction techniques used,
- any unique architectural features,
- listed grade.
Get a specialist valuation:
Listed buildings are unique, meaning their rebuild cost can significantly differ from their market value. A specialist valuation can help ensure you have enough coverage without overpaying your premium.
Research specialist insurers:
Standard home insurers might not offer the level of cover needed for a listed property. Therefore, look for specialist insurers or those who provide cover for listed buildings.
Compare Quotes:
Like with any insurance, it’s wise to compare quotes from multiple providers. This can help you find the best deal for your needs. Be sure to compare the extent of the cover, not just the price.
Consider a combined policy:
You may be able to combine buildings and contents insurance into one policy. A combined policy can often be more cost-effective and easier to manage.
Review Regularly:
As your circumstances change, so too might your insurance needs. Regularly review your policy to ensure it remains suitable.
Owning a listed building can be a privilege and a challenge. However, with the right listed building insurance, you will enjoy your home and the piece of history you are preserving, secure in the knowledge you are suitably protected.
Specialist insurance for listed buildings considers all the factors and offers coverage specifically tailored to the needs of these properties.
For instance, if you own a listed property with a thatched roof, the risk of fire or damage due to poor drainage might be higher, which will be taken into account when determining your insurance premiums.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is contents insurance worth it?
Yes, contents insurance is worth it as it provides cover for your personal possessions within the home. This includes furniture, electrical goods, personal items and sometimes even cash. If your home experiences an event such as a fire, flood or burglary, contents insurance ensures that you can replace your belongings without incurring a huge financial loss. This is especially important in listed buildings, where the cost of replacing antique or specialist items can be significant.
2. What does buildings insurance cover?
Buildings insurance typically covers the physical structure of your home, including the walls, roof, and floors. It also covers permanent fixtures and fittings such as baths, toilets and fitted kitchens. The cover is designed to pay for repair or rebuilding costs if your home is damaged due to events like fire, storm, flood, subsidence, burst pipes, or theft. For listed buildings, insurance may also cover specialist tradespeople and materials necessary for repairs that preserve the property’s historic or architectural integrity.
3. Can I decorate a Grade 2 listed building?
Decorating a Grade II listed building in terms of painting and wallpapering is usually permissible without consent, provided it does not affect the character of the building. However, more significant alterations, such as removing or adding walls, installing new windows or doors, or altering fireplaces, may require a listed building consent from your local planning authority. It’s always best to check with your local council or a specialist adviser before carrying out any work.
4. Can you delist a listed building?
It’s possible to apply for a listed building to be delisted, but this is not a straightforward process and is only successful in rare circumstances. You would need to demonstrate that the building has been listed in error by proving it does not meet the criteria for special architectural or historic interest, or that significant features have been lost since the listing. Given the rarity of successful delisting applications, it’s often more practical to seek specialist advice about managing and maintaining your listed property.
5. What are Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II Listed Buildings
The grade of a listed building has a significant impact on the listed building insurance policy.
Grade I listed buildings, being of exceptional interest, might require more specialist insurance due to the importance and rarity of their architectural features.
Grade II* listed buildings, although not as stringent as Grade I, still have more regulations than Grade II listed buildings.
Grade II listed buildings, being the most common type of listed property, have a more moderate level of regulation. They still require specialist advice and permission for substantial changes, but it’s generally easier to manage and insure them than higher-grade properties.
Unique Challenges of Insuring a Listed Building
Owning a listed building comes with its own set of challenges, and it’s essential to understand these when considering listed building insurance.
Firstly, the requirement to use specialist materials and techniques in any repair or restoration work can significantly drive up the rebuild cost of the property.
Furthermore, employing specialist tradespeople familiar with traditional building techniques often comes at a premium.
The local planning authority or local council often dictate what changes can be made to a listed property. Altering a listed building without the appropriate listed building consent, even seemingly minor changes, can be deemed a criminal offence.
Hence, you must keep your insurance provider informed about any planned modifications, even if they seem minor, to ensure your cover remains valid.
Your Home, Your Heritage
Owning a listed building is a responsibility. As a custodian of a piece of architectural or historic interest, your role goes beyond the usual expectations of a homeowner. This unique role often requires a more nuanced approach to home insurance and a level of engagement with bodies such as Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland, Northern Ireland’s Historic Environment Division, or your local authority.