Your guide to listed building house insurance

Composed of advice on insurance basics, listed building queries and the historical backgrounds of traditional buildings, our guide to listed home insurance should give you a greater understanding of how to keep your character home protected – come burst pipe or missing keys.

Composed of advice on insurance basics, listed building queries and the historical backgrounds of traditional buildings, our guide to listed building house insurance should give you a greater understanding of how to keep your character home protected – whether it’s a burst pipe or missing keys.

Read our guide and you’ll be able to:

✓   Better understand the main elements of insurance and how you can arrange your policy more effectively
✓  Answer questions and criteria asked by insurers when arranging listed insurance
✓  Identify safety measures you can take to protect your listed home
✓  Arrange an insurance policy that best fits your property

From understanding ‘sums insured’ to the impact of underinsurance, our listed property guide explains aspects of insurance that not every homeowner knows.

The guide also includes useful information on the following topics:

•       Finding listed-specific insurance and why it’s important to get the help of a specialist insurance broker.
•       Understanding the ins and outs of owning a listed building (Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II) and why you need to get certain permissions for alterations and renovations (even seemingly minor ones).
•       From wattle and daub to lime mortar and lathe and plaster, our guide can help you understand your property construction and how the rebuild value (should it need to be rebuilt) can affect your ‘sums insured’.
•       How to maintain your buildings and respect their craftsmanship.

Why is it important to find listed-specific insurance?

Although many general insurers will cover listed or older properties, these tend to be limited to ‘standard’ construction properties that are less than 150 years old. Listed buildings are often subject to certain criteria which can affect your home insurance.

Pre-existing alterations

If a previous owner altered your building without consent or knowledge of the local authority, you could be forced to return your property to its original state. A good policy will reimburse you for the cost of restoring your home to its pre-alteration state.

Extended alternative accommodation

The planning and rebuilding of a listed property can be a more complicated and drawn out process compared with the rebuild of a standard house. This process is also inevitably going to be stressful so the last thing you want to worry about is the cost of your alternative accommodation. Before you arrange your insurance, check how much your insurer will pay and for how long.

‘Non-standard’ construction

The majority of listed properties are deemed to be of ‘non-standard’ construction by insurers. As a listed homeowner you may need to seek specialist insurance to access the appropriate cover that is aligned to historic buildings and their construction.

Insuring Listed Buildings

Listed buildings, recognized for their architectural or historical interest, often need specialised insurance policies to address their unique features, construction and characteristics. Arranging appropriate and accurate coverage with the help of a specialised insurance broker like us involves understanding the building’s heritage value and the specific risks it faces.

Tailored policies

Standard home insurance may not suffice for listed properties. Specialist insurers offer policies that consider the building’s age, construction methods, and unique features. These policies typically include cover for repair or replacement using original materials and traditional techniques, which can be costly but necessary to preserve the building’s character.

Rebuild value

Establish the rebuild value of the property—what it would cost to restore the building to its original state after damage. Engage a professional surveyor experienced in listed buildings to provide an accurate assessment, as the costs can often exceed those of modern buildings.

Planning Consent

Repairs to listed buildings require consent from your local planning authority LPA) to ensure compliance with preservation guidelines.

Regular Maintenance

Insurance premiums for listed buildings can sometimes be higher due to their risks. Regular maintenance, such as addressing structural issues and preventing damp can reduce risks around expensive structural damage.