contents insurance in old, listed buildings

HellyBelly_2

Hi
We have recently moved into a cottage which is a listed building dating from the 1700's. We are renting so we only require contents insurance.
When we moved I just transferred our previous contents insurance and there was no change in cost but as it's up for renewal this week I thought I'd better see if I could get a better deal. So yesterday I put all the details on confused.com and was alarmed to see that most insurance companies won't give a quote due to the age of the property or give a quote double the amount that we were paying.
This seems ridiculous as we only require contents insurance so why does the age of the property affect this? In any case, the fact that the house has stood for almost 300 years surely demonstrates its durability, sturdiness and refusal to be affected by flood, fire etc..!
I'm also worried now that the insurers we have been with the last 2 years will also want to double the quote too - when we moved I answered all their questions about the new property honestly - but I don't remember if they asked about the age of the property now.

Has anyone got any experience of getting contents insurance for such an old property? I'd appreciate any help here...

Many thanks in advance!

middlepuss

Try ringing some insurers rather than doing the quote online. The online systems handle standard conditions and you get "computer says no" when you put in something out of the ordinary. But talk to a human being and they can use judgment and you should be OK. Try a few companies.

jsteventon

You are best of getting specialist buildings insurance. There are companies/brokers out there who do deal with listed buildings, the premiums are higher, but so would your total re-build cost.
The issue really arises if your property where to catch fire etc etc, and is not damaged enough to qualify for listed building demolition and you where insured with a standard insurance policy, they would stipulate that the building be constructed with 'modern' materials since this is what they base quotes on. Whereas your CO/English heritage and the laws surrounding listed buildings, require you to re-build with like for like materials. Therefore specialist’s trades would be required therefore higher cost.
A few links for you to have a look at:
http://www.assetsure.com/listed-buildings-c.htm
http://www.listedpropertyownersclub.co.uk/?id=2
http://www.laplaya.co.uk/period_listed_buildings.html

Looking again at your question, you might the rate increase for your 'content' insurance is due to the change is postcode/location. Some areas will be deemed more risk than others.

Also slightly of topic, but owners of listed buildings qualify for 0% VAT rates on any work to that alters the fabric/character of the building, however you do require LBC to claim this. Unfortunalty repairs/general maintenance does not fall under this remit

Thanks