UK Listed Buildings Insurance: Why Not to Obtain Cover on the Internet
If you are lucky enough to own, or intend to buy, a listed building you are actively participating in the architectural history of the UK. Properties are listed for a number of reasons including significant historical importance and architectural or local interest. English Heritage has a project website dedicated to photographic evidence, plus some architectural notes, which can be found at www.imagesofengland.org.uk. Here's some important information about obtaining listed buildings insurance to protect your property.To you, as the owner of such a property, it's important that these properties are protected for future posterity. Often there are restrictions, some severe, on any alterations to may wish to make. In the case of damage, whether total or partial, you will be compelled to rebuild or recreate the property as close as possible to the original style. This is why it's critically important to obtain insurance for listed buildings.
This aspect gives us some concern. When considering listed building insurance, you may need personal assistance, which is not available should you purchase your cover on the Internet. Also, the type of insurance available online is almost always not suitable for listed buildings because of the unique characteristics of such structures. For example, it's unlikely that a pre-1840 building will qualify for Internet-based cover.
Even if you are able to obtain cover on the Internet, it's likely that the rebuilding of your listed building, in the event of a loss, will require specialist materials and skill labour as well as relevant architectural advice requiring personal, live consultations with interested authorities. A local agent who specialises in home insurance for listed buildings will understand these issues from the outset and also will have a wealth of experience and contacts to enable you to rebuild and restore your property to its former state. In addition, since it's very likely that you will have antique furniture, paintings and collections in your listed home, high value contents insurance is well worth considering.
To obtain a quotation for listed buildings insurance and contents insurance in the UK, please call Geoff Moss on 01242 699113
