COVERAGE
FEATURES
One of the most common issues with listed buildings is underinsurance.
Rebuild cost is not the same as market value — and if it is incorrect, insurers can reduce claims payments.
We ensure:
This is a critical part of protecting your asset properly.
WHY US
At WS Insurance, our clients trust us for our expertise, transparency, and personalised support. We take pride in delivering reliable insurance solutions and guiding property owners with care at every step. Their feedback reflects our commitment to exceptional service and long-term relationships.
Yes. Standard home insurance often excludes listed buildings or won’t provide adequate cover for specialist restoration and materials.
Yes — we work with specialist heritage insurers able to cover Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II properties.
We work alongside heritage-qualified surveyors and insurers experienced in traditional and listed structures to help ensure accurate reinstatement valuations.
Yes — we can arrange cover for private homes, commercial listed properties, and mixed-use premises.
Absolutely — our team will support you throughout the claims process.
Listed buildings insurance is a specialist type of property insurance designed to cover homes and buildings recognised as historically or architecturally significant. Unlike standard home insurance, this cover takes into account:
Protected status and conservation obligations
Specialist materials such as lime plaster, stonework, hand-cut timber, slate and lead roofing
Traditional craftsmanship and skilled restoration experts
Strict planning controls for repairs and rebuilds
It ensures that in the event of damage, your building can be restored to historic and conservation standards — not just repaired.
Listed buildings are classed as non-standard construction, meaning they cannot be insured like modern properties. Repairs often require:
Consent from conservation officers
Traditional techniques
Rare or handmade materials
Specialist trades and craftspeople
This means claims can be more complex and more expensive, so insurers must understand heritage risks and rebuild costs properly.
Yes. Grade II listed buildings are the most common protected category in the UK, and they still require insurance designed for heritage properties. A standard home insurer will rarely provide full reinstatement cover for listed structures — or they may exclude major risks like subsidence or roof damage.
Yes — we work with insurers who specialise in the highest-level protected buildings, including:
Grade I
Grade II*
Grade II
These buildings often involve more complex heritage requirements, higher rebuild costs and stricter restoration rules, so specialist cover is essential.
Rebuild costs for listed buildings are assessed differently to modern homes. Considerations include:
Stonework, period brickwork or timber framing
Specialist roofing (slate, thatch, lead, clay tiles)
Handmade materials & bespoke joinery
Traditional plasterwork and period features
Conservation officer requirements
Heritage trades and craftspeople availability
We work with surveyors experienced in heritage valuations to help ensure your reinstatement figure is accurate and compliant.
Under-insurance can be financially devastating. If your property is insured for less than its actual rebuild value, insurers can apply the average clause, reducing the payout in line with the shortfall.
Example:
If you insure for £1m but true rebuild cost is £2m, only 50% of any claim may be paid — even for smaller losses like roof or fire damage.
We help clients avoid under-insurance by supporting correct valuations from the outset.
Yes — when set up correctly, listed building insurance can cover:
Full reinstatement to conservation standards
Planning and heritage authority compliance
Period-appropriate craftsmanship and materials
Specialist demolition and salvage procedures
Temporary accommodation or business interruption (if applicable)
This is one of the key reasons to use a heritage property insurance specialist.
Yes — we specialise in insurance for:
Thatched roof cottages and period homes
Oak and timber-frame buildings
Properties with historic roof structures and joinery
Lime mortar and stone construction
These homes require insurers who understand fire, storm, restoration and maintenance risk factors.
Absolutely. We arrange cover for:
Residential landlords
Airbnb and holiday let operators
Boutique hotels and heritage B&Bs
Commercial heritage properties
Listed manor estates and portfolio owners
We ensure policies match your use class, liability needs, and occupancy arrangements.
Yes — liability is essential. Heritage properties can present unique risks such as uneven floors, old staircases and period features. Policies can include:
Public liability
Landlord liability
Employer’s liability (where relevant)
Property owner’s liability
We tailor cover to your situation.
Yes. WS Insurance provides full support through the claims process, helping ensure:
The right specialists are appointed
Repairs follow conservation requirements
Valuers and loss adjusters understand heritage rules
We act on your side, not the insurer’s.
Yes — we arrange cover for:
Renovation projects
Extensions and refurbishment
Structural works
Conservation repairs
Part-occupation or unoccupied periods
Standard insurers often refuse unoccupied or renovation-risk policies — but we have heritage specialists who can provide them.
Yes — we have insurers who cover unoccupied heritage properties, including:
Probate / estate properties
Vacant buildings awaiting restoration
Properties between tenancies
Homes on the market
We will provide cover with appropriate security, inspection and maintenance terms.
