Listed Building Insurance

What is a listed building?

A listed building is one that is officially protected because of its special architectural or historic interest. These properties sit on a statutory list maintained by local authorities or Historic England.

There are three main grades of listed building in the UK, each reflecting a different level of significance and protection.

• Grade I: Buildings of exceptional interest.
• Grade II*: Particularly important buildings.
• Grade II: Buildings of special interest.

Owners must obtain listed building consent from their local planning authority before making repairs or alterations. The aim is to preserve the building’s architectural importance and overall historic interest.

Because of this, listed property insurance needs to cover full rebuild costs, including specialist materials, traditional labour, professional fees and permissions. Standard home insurance often does not provide this level of protection.

Our insurance offers tailored cover for Grade II and other listed homes, with specialist advice and support from experienced surveyors.

Why do you need specialist insurance for a listed building?

Listed homes have unique protection needs because of their historical and architectural importance. Repairs and rebuilding usually require consent from your local council or conservation officer.

Work must preserve the building’s heritage, often using traditional materials and methods. This can significantly increase the cost and complexity of reinstating the property after damage.

Standard home insurance frequently excludes or limits cover for these specialist repairs, permissions and materials. Without adequate listed property insurance, you may face large and unexpected expenses after an insured event.

What does listed building insurance include?

Our listed building insurance is designed to reflect the true cost of reinstating a protected property and meeting regulatory requirements.

• Full reinstatement costs using original or appropriate traditional materials.
• Fees for specialist surveyors and quantity surveyors.
• Compliance with local authority and planning requirements.
• Personal service for Grade II and other buildings of special interest.

How do I protect my listed building?

Protecting a listed building is about combining the right insurance with practical steps that reflect how the property is used and maintained.

• Plan repairs or renovations carefully around bank holidays, when local authorities and emergency services may have limited availability.
• Ensure burglar alarms and other security systems are regularly maintained and fully operational to help prevent loss or damage.
• Keep emergency contacts to hand and understand your home emergency cover so you can act quickly if urgent repairs are needed.
• Work with insurers like rivr, who have extensive experience handling listed building insurance claims and navigating consent requirements.
• Document the exact number of original features and important architectural elements in your home for insurance and consent purposes.

Reviewed by Will Clarkson Webb, CEO at rivr – updated 03 Dec 2025.