There is a lot of love for those beautiful older houses, from the Tudor era to the popular Edwardian terraces. But it’s important to remember, insuring older or historic homes (especially listed buildings) requires special policies. Materials are often costly to maintain historical standards. If your house is heritage, you are obliged to repair it in the same style and approach.
When comparing new build vs. historic (or older) homes for home insurance in the UK, you need to weigh up the costs and factors. Insurers assess risk based on the age, construction materials, and condition of a property. Directly impacting your premiums, coverage limits, and eligibility.
We’ve answered some commonly asked questions. But get in touch if you need detailed advice. We’ll be able to line up the best policy to suit your home. You don’t want to get caught out!
Will structural risks and materials come into consideration?
New Homes: These are built to modern standards (e.g., NHBC warranty) and use fire-resistant and energy-efficient materials. Because of this, there is a lower risk of plumbing/electrical faults. This will generally mean they are cheaper to insure.
Historic Homes (typically 50+ years old): All the charm we love about old homes means they may include non-standard construction such as thatch, timber, cob, and stone. Because of this, there is a higher risk of structural or maintenance issues. This means they will be more expensive and complex to repair or restore. Raising insurance premiums.
How will the repair and rebuild costs play out?
New Homes: Costs will be predictable, and many materials are readily available. Because of this, an off-the-shelf policy is typically based on standard rebuild values.
Historic Homes: Likely, your home will need specialist craftsmanship, and these rebuild costs are often higher than the market value. You may be required to find specialist insurers with policies tailored to heritage buildings (like Grade I or II listed).
What policy extras should I consider?
Keep in mind if your historic house needs repairs, you may need to leave your home. You might want to look at alternative accommodation cover. Historic homes can become uninhabitable, with repairs taking longer. Also, consider taking out home emergency cover, as older homes are prone to unexpected faults. They tend to have older plumbing systems — finding the source of leaks can be tricky. Same for electrical systems.
What about ‘listed buildings’?
If your historic home is Grade I or II listed, you'll likely need specialist insurance. It should cover listed building consent repairs and include heritage-appropriate materials. Plus, offering legal and planning support is a huge help!
New homes generally benefit from lower premiums and standard coverage. While historic homes often need custom insurance and face higher premiums due to increased risk and repair complexity. But don’t let this get in the way of your dream home purchase. Chat with us today to protect your biggest asset — no matter the age!
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