Historic buildings may be rich in character, but they’re increasingly vulnerable to modern threats. A recent BBC report revealed that one of the Londonderry’s most iconic religious buildings, St Augustine's Church, had been broken into, but criminal activity is just one piece of the puzzle.
These centuries-old structures contend with risks modern buildings are designed not to face — from outdated fire safety features to gradual structural deterioration. According to an Ecclesiastical Insurance spokesperson: “Modern buildings are usually built to a standard both in terms of design and safety, which dictates many of the requirements and technical standards that properties need to meet...Heritage properties, on the other hand, were constructed without these guidelines, often resulting in buildings that are complex and unique in their design, which brings with it certain risks you wouldn't encounter in a modern building.”
Fire risk is a significant concern for heritage buildings. “Fire safety wasn’t being factored into the design and build of these properties, which is something all modern builds have to take into account,” the spokesperson said. “This covers fire compartmentation and escape routes – but also the materials used in construction. Many heritage properties are built using combustible heritage materials, such as wood, which makes them far more at risk of fire and a substantial loss as a result.”
This fire risk is echoed in a 2024 report by CTIF where Ingval Maxwell, a Scottish consultant in architectural conservation, “estimated that, globally, about one historic building falls victim to fire each day.”
The risk of deterioration is also heightened in heritage buildings, with gradual wear and tear often not covered under standard insurance policies. The spokesperson said: “We do see claims for wear and tear, which wouldn’t be covered under our policies, which is more of an issue for heritage properties as there can be a gradual deterioration over time compared to a modern build.” This is reflected further by a 2024 Historic England report which revealed: “Over the past year, 155 historic buildings and sites have been added to the Register because they are at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.” Given the unique nature of these risks, it’s essential that heritage property owners have insurance coverage tailored to their specific needs.
Given the unique nature of heritage properties, standard property insurance often doesn’t offer adequate coverage. The Ecclesiastical spokesperson argued: “Heritage policies are vastly different from standard home insurance, making it hard to compare them directly. For example, a stately home open to visitors would require public liability insurance - something a standard policy wouldn't include.”
Tailor-made policy features brokers should look to incorporate, include:
Restoration can be difficult compared to a standard property. The spokesperson explained: “With a heritage property, this can be a lengthy and complex process. This can stem from challenges in finding the appropriate heritage materials to reinstate buildings like-for-like, and also a lack of skilled craftspeople available to carry out the works, as well as potential increased costs in sourcing materials and skilled workers.”
The value of heritage buildings is also difficult to assess, which contributes to underinsurance. “One of the main challenges is underinsurance, leaving property owners receiving less than they’d expected on payouts – whether for property or business interruption claims,” the spokesperson said.
A professional valuation is also essential to ensure adequate coverage. This factors in the materials used in construction and whether they are available, any decorative features that may require specialist restoration, the labour involved in reinstatement – especially where skilled craftspeople are required – and even the size and location of the property.
Brokers play a vital role in educating clients about risks and coverage for heritage properties. The spokesperson said: “Brokers can support customers by ensuring any maximum indemnity period reflects the potential length of time the project can take.”
Brokers can also help implement risk mitigation strategies. The spokesperson explained: “The main strategy is prevention. By tackling a risk before it becomes an event, heritage organisations can continue to run without disruption.”
They added that brokers should advise regular property maintenance. “Keeping on top of property maintenance, inspecting roofs and guttering to prevent water entering the property, testing electrical installations to help prevent fires and making sure to use an appropriate contractor is also really important,” the spokesperson said. “We’d also encourage properties to install automatic fire detection systems to make sure the alert can be raised as soon as possible to help prevent the spread and a potentially more serious loss
“In areas where there is risk of flooding, having a flood plan in place and signing up to flood alerts can help with the response. Also ensuring any valuable or sensitive items are not at floor level or can be moved in the event of an upcoming flood can also help to prevent major losses.”
Brokers can assist property owners more generally by:
