The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement. Read our full disclosure here.
Listed buildings insurance
Cheap Home Insurance in Your Area
Quickly compare up to 50 UK insurance providers. Powered by QuoteZone.
Listed buildings aren’t like most other properties. Not only will you need permission to make certain changes, you’ll also need suitable insurance that covers the unique nature of your home. To help you protect your home now and for future generations, we look at what to consider when it comes to arranging listed buildings insurance.
What is a listed building?
Listed buildings have special architectural or historic value. Because of this, they’re protected to preserve their value for future generations.
According to the latest 2026 data from the National Heritage List for England (NHLE), there are officially 382,172 entries for listed buildings. While it is often estimated that the total number of individual buildings protected is higher (as one 'entry' can sometimes cover a whole terrace of houses), the official number of designated listings has settled around the 400,000 mark as Historic England continues to refine and update the registry annually.
Currently, there are three categories of listed building in England and Wales. The distribution of listed building grades remains highly exclusive, with the vast majority falling into the Grade II category. According to 2025/2026 reports from Historic England and Cadw:
- Grade I (Exceptional interest) – these are buildings of exceptional architectural or historic value. Only 2.5% of all listed buildings are grade I in England, and fewer than 2% in Wales.
- Grade II ((Particularly important)) – 5.8% in England and 7% in Wales.
- Grade II (Special interest) – The overwhelming majority, accounting for 91.7% of listings in England and 91% in Wales.
In Scotland, listed categories are:
- Category A – buildings of special architectural or historic interest that are outstanding examples of their time, style or construction.
- Category B – buildings of special architectural or historic value offering good examples of a period, style or construction.
- Category C – buildings of special architectural or historic value that are representative of their time, style or construction.
In Northern Ireland, listed categories are:
- Grade A – buildings of national importance that are reflective of their style or period, with few alterations.
- Grade B+ - buildings of national importance but with slightly more alterations or additions that mean they cannot be listed as grade A.
- Grade B1 and B2 – buildings that are of special local importance and offer good examples of their period or style.
How do I maintain a listed building?
Generally, if you want to make changes to a listed building, you’ll need to apply for permission. If you carry out work that hasn’t been approved (or deviate from approved plans significantly) your local council can ask you to reverse the changes. You can also be prosecuted.
Bear in mind that you may need permission to alter outbuildings as well.
Before you start any work, you should contact your local planning authority to find out about what you can and can’t do.
Who needs listed buildings insurance?
In insurance terms, a listed building is considered a ‘non-standard’ home. Non-standard properties also include buildings made from unconventional materials (by modern standards), for example, timber, thatch or cob.
If you live in a listed building, or any non-standard home, you’ll need specialist insurance that reflects the higher cost of materials and the specific skills needed to repair it.
If you don’t have appropriate cover for the type of home you live in, your policy won’t give you the protection you need.
What does listed building insurance cover?
Listed building (or non-standard) home insurance covers the same sort of risks as standard home cover, and policies should cover you for:
- Fire
- Flood
- Storm damage
- Subsidence
- Burst pipes
- Vandalism and theft
On top of these essential covers, you’ll usually be able to add on extra features, for example:
- Accidental damage for unintentional incidents, for instance, if you accidentally broke a window.
- Home emergency insurance which covers unexpected events like boiler breakdown.
- Personal possessions cover which insures belongings you take outside of the house, such as a wedding or engagement ring, phone, glasses.
- Legal expenses which covers the cost of professional legal advice and court fees.
What isn’t covered by listed building insurance?
Exclusions will vary by insurer but typically you won’t be covered for:
- Wear and tear.
- Damage caused by pest infestations; this usually includes pet damage.
- Theft or damage caused by negligence.
How do I know if a building is listed?
If you’re buying a property, you should be told whether the building is listed or not. Otherwise, you can check the following registers depending on where you live:
- England – National Heritage List for England (NHLE)
- Wales – Cof Cymru, cadw records
- Scotland – Historic Environment Scotland
- Northern Ireland – NI Direct, find a listed building
How much does listed building insurance cost?
Listed buildings are inherently unique so premiums are calculated on a case by case basis. As a general rule, the older or more exceptional the building, the more home insurance is likely to cost. This is simply down to the need for specialist materials and the skilled workmanship needed to carry out repairs.
Is listed building insurance more expensive?
Listed building insurance is typically 20% to 50% more expensive than standard home cover.
To put this into perspective, NimbleFins research shows the average 'cheap' home insurance quote for a standard British home in 2026 is approximately £356 per year (based on a £300,000 rebuild cost).
In contrast, the average premium for a Grade II listed property currently sits at £555, while Grade I properties average around £648. These higher costs reflect the specialist materials (like lime mortar or hand-made tiles) and skilled heritage craftsmanship required by law during a rebuild.
Also, you may find that your choice of provider is more limited compared to if you had a non-listed home.
Is grade II listed building insurance expensive?
It can be more expensive compared to a standard brick-built home, but that’s not always the case.
Your insurer will assess your property based on the grade or listing category and calculate costs accordingly.
Who insures listed buildings?
A number of mainstream home insurance providers will cover non-standard or listed buildings. Most insurers will establish very early on whether your home is special in some way (for example, its materials) and be clear whether or not they can offer you insurance. With that in mind, it’s worth comparing quotes from mainstream insurers such as Direct Line and Admiral, as well as specialist providers.
Does home contents in a listed building need special insurance?
If you have any particularly valuable contents, it’s worth considering specialist insurance for those items. For instance, if you have expensive or rare antiques, paintings, jewellery or sculptures. Otherwise, standard home contents cover should give you the protection you need.
To get an accurate idea of the value of your home contents, it’s a good idea to go through each room, noting down what you have and the cost to replace it. Don’t forget items that are easily forgotten because they’re taken for granted – such as rugs, pictures, and plants.
For more advice about how to calculate the value of your belongings and how to find great value cover, head to our comprehensive guide to contents insurance.
How much does listed building indemnity insurance cost?
Listed building indemnity insurance is a specialized cover often required during property transactions to protect against the risk of the local authority taking enforcement action for past unauthorized works.
In 2026, with property values and legal fees at record highs, a typical indemnity policy for a residential listed building generally starts between £200 and £500 for a one-off premium.
However, for high-value heritage estates where potential 'reversal' costs are substantial, premiums can exceed £1,000. Unlike standard insurance, this is a one-time payment that stays with the property for the benefit of future owners.
Insuring your listed home for peace of mind
Buildings insurance is there to cover costs if your home is damaged or destroyed, so it’s vital that the policy you choose, reflects the nature of your home. If it doesn’t or you don’t have suitable insurance, it’ll be down to you to cover repair costs.
But while home insurance is a valuable safety net, you shouldn’t have to pay more than you need. To compare quotes and find great value for money, you can start a quote right here, or discover more about getting the best cover for your needs in our home insurance hub.