The majority of mainstream home insurers will often not offer buildings and contents insurance to people who live in listed buildings. This is because the cost of any rebuilding or claim associated with an old building is invariably higher than for a modern home.
We do however have some household insurers who will consider your application for buildings and contents insurance if you live in a listed building.
A Listed building is statutorily protected against unauthorised demolition, alteration and extension. It will have special 'national' architectural or historic interest, and it can therefore be harder to find home insurance.
Those buildings which are classed as “listed buildings” appear on a list which is compiled by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under the provisions of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act, 1990.
The Secretary of State is advised by English Heritage, and buildings are graded as either:
- Grade 1 listed buildings - considered to be of exceptional interest;
- Grade 2* listed buildings - considered particularly important examples of special interest; and
- Grade 2 listed buildings - considered to be of special interest.
(Definitions in Scotland and Northern Ireland are different).
We have household insurers who are able to cover all grades of listed building, and we will work with you to find a buildings and contents insurance policy which meets your needs.
English Heritage will usually insist on a full reinstatement of the property if more than 40% of the historic fabric survives in the event of a disaster, such as fire. You must therefore ensure that your listed building home insurance policy covers the full reinstatement cost (including like for like methods and materials), as well as the rebuilding of the interior, not just the exterior as most home insurers would usually only cover. That is why you need specialist insurance help to cover your listed building.
What we need to know
Our specialists will need to know details of your circumstances and your property, and so it is helpful if you are able to have this information to hand.
In particular they will want to know details about:
- the grade of listing
- any specific items of note within the listing (such as exceptional carved woodwork, Adams fireplaces etc)
Our home insurance specialists will then use their expertise to hopefully find you some buildings and contents insurance.
|
