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Rivr Cover

Listed Building Insurance

  • Specialist cover for Grade II listed buildings
  • Full rebuild cost including historic materials and consent
  • Listed buildings cover up to £3,000,000
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Bedroom with a large picture window onto a garden
4.7/5 on Trustpilot
  • Underwritten by A Rated insurers

protect your listed home the right way

Cover shaped by architectural importance

Our listed building insurance is tailored to homes of special architectural or historic interest. From Grade II properties to ones of exceptional significance, your cover reflects what makes it irreplaceable.

What's included?

  • Buildings cover for listed homes, accidental damage included
  • Rebuild or repair to conservation standards using appropriate traditional materials, with full rebuild cover where a rivr-authorised survey is held (excluding Grade I)
  • Cover for architect, surveyor and conservation fees after insured damage
  • Costs to meet Government or Local Authority heritage requirements, within policy limits
  • Alternative accommodation for up to three years if your listed home is uninhabitable after an insured event
  • Excess waived on eligible large claims over £25,000
  • UK-based claims support with listed and complex home expertise

Eligibility

  • Listed or heritage home in England, Wales or Scotland (subject to underwriting)
  • Buildings rebuild cost over £1,000,000
  • High value contents and valuables, typically over £100,000 including at least £30,000 in valuables

Limits

  • Buildings cover up to £3,000,000
  • General contents cover up to £500,000
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tailored protection for listed homes and heritage buildings

Listed property insurance built around you

  • Brick Georgian townhouse with a black front door

    building insurance that values you

    Rebuild and alternative accommodation

    Rebuild or repair in the same form, style and condition as new. Up to 36 months’ alternative accommodation if uninhabitable after an insured event.

  • Whitewashed cottage with climbing roses

    professional fees and compliance costs covered.

    Fees, surveys and local requirements

    Architect and surveyor fees plus costs to meet Government or Local Authority requirements, within policy limits.

  • Ivy-covered country house at the end of a hedged drive

    request a quote with ease

    Fast, expert support

    Digital-first cover, tailored advice, and your own advisor. Excess waived on claims over £25,000.

providing the cover you need

Protection for your heritage home

Will Clarkson Webb CEO at Rivr
Last reviewed
01 / 04

What is a listed building?

A listed building is one that is officially protected because of its special architectural or historic interest. These properties sit on a statutory list maintained by local authorities or Historic England.

There are three main grades of listed building in the UK, each reflecting a different level of significance and protection.

  • Grade I: Buildings of exceptional interest.
  • Grade II*: Particularly important buildings.
  • Grade II: Buildings of special interest.

Owners must obtain listed building consent from their local planning authority before making repairs or alterations. The aim is to preserve the building’s architectural importance and overall historic interest.

Because of this, listed property insurance needs to cover full rebuild costs, including specialist materials, traditional labour, professional fees and permissions. Standard home insurance often does not provide this level of protection.

Our insurance offers tailored cover for Grade II and other listed homes, with specialist advice and support from experienced surveyors.

Explore our guide to listed building restoration to better understand consent, planning and repairs for your listed home.

Read our restoration guide

at a glance

Costs and limits at Rivr

We insure to the sum insured you choose, so your cover reflects the value of your home and contents.

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Purchasing eligibility typically starts at

  • Buildings rebuild cost of £1,000,000
  • General Contents of £100,000
  • Valuables from at least £30,000 in total

Rivr's cover limits are

  • Buildings cover available up to £3,000,000
  • Contents cover available up to £500,000
  • Valuables cover available up to £250,000

your cover

How our cover makes life simple for you

  • Your home's buildings

    We cover the physical structure of your home, any outbuildings, decorative finishes or permanent fittings in your home.

  • Building works

    If you are carrying out building works on your home, we will cover you up to £100,000, but let us know if it's going to cost more than this.

  • Full rebuild cover with survey

    Where a current Rivr-authorised survey is held, the insurer pays the full rebuild cost even if above the sum insured. Grade 1 listed buildings are excluded.

  • Alternative accommodation

    If you can't live in your home for up to 3 years due to some insured damage, the insurer will pay for somewhere else for you to live.

  • Emergency access

    The insurer will pay for damage due to forced entry during a medical emergency or to prevent damage to your home.

  • Accidental damage

    The insurer will pay for any damage caused accidentally.

Policy documents

Only a summary of the policy’s coverage is presented on this page. Read these documents to fully understand what is and isn’t covered.

what we offer

Our insurance

Get started online in minutes. No paperwork.

your dedicated client adviser

Digital insurance, with an adviser who knows you

Get an instant quote and manage your policy online, whenever it suits you. When you would rather talk, your dedicated client adviser is there to help you refine your quote, answer questions during your policy and support you through a claim.

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A Rivr client adviser talking with a client
However suits you
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client reviews

Rivr cover is rated excellent

4.7/5 on Trustpilot

  • “Totally refreshing experience to talk to Will at Rivr. I have a property and getting insurance can be problematic and expensive. Will provided a service like no other - great communication, listens, understands and delivers! I highly recommend you call him too.”

    Emma · UK

  • “I needed bespoke cover, and Rivr delivered with ease. The website was quick, no long calls, and Will’s support even reduced my premium. Highly recommend.”

    Steve R · UK

  • “A simple online application followed up by a telephone consultation to tailor the policy to suit our personal needs. So much easier than any other house and contents insurer I have dealt with, and I feel confident that everything is now properly covered, which is not the case with some of the blanket policies on offer from some insurers.”

    Nigel R · UK

  • “Will made high-value home insurance easy. His expertise, clear advice, and tailored approach secured great cover at a lower price. Outstanding service, highly recommend speaking with him.”

    Paul · UK

  • “Rivr provided a competitive, transparent quote after my insurer hiked prices. Will’s expertise made switching seamless. A smooth process from start to finish and would highly recommend their service.”

    John G · UK

  • “Competitive contents premium and super simple process buying cover through the website. Comprehensive cover of jewellery was a nice surprise too. Really easy to contact Rivr”

    Jamain G. · Farnham

faq

Frequently asked questions

Insurance can be complicated. Here are answers to the questions we are asked most.

Go to FAQs
How do I know who underwrites your insurance policies?

The policy is insured by two of the largest insurance companies in the world, which are both A- rated for their financial strength. The Buildings, Contents and Liability cover is insured by Accelerant Insurance UK Limited. The Property Emergency and Family Legal Solutions are insured by ARAG Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited.

Do you insure listed buildings of all grades?

We can insure Grade II*, and Grade II listed homes in England and Wales, and Category B and C listed properties in Scotland, subject to individual underwriting.

Does Rivr insure homes built of non-standard materials?

Yes. Rivr can insure many non-standard homes, including timber, wattle and daub, subject to individual underwriting and approval.

How is the rebuild cost settled for a listed home?

If you hold an up-to-date, Rivr-authorised survey, the insurer pays the full cost to rebuild or repair at the time of loss, even if it exceeds the buildings sum insured.

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We cannot offer cover for Grade 1 listed buildings.

Are heritage compliance and professional fees included?

Yes. After a valid claim, our policy includes cover for debris removal, architect and surveyor fees, and costs required to meet Government or Local Authority regulations, up to 25% of your buildings sum insured.

Is my home insured when I am carrying out renovations?

Yes. Unlike many insurers, we continue to cover your home while renovation works are taking place, provided the contract value for the works is under £100,000.

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If your renovation costs exceed this amount, we can look to arrange specialist renovation cover through one of our trusted insurance partners.

When is listed building consent needed?

Consent is required for any demolition, including partial, and for any internal or external alteration or extension that affects the building’s special architectural or historic interest. It can also apply to structures within the curtilage that predate 1 July 1948. Like for like repairs that do not affect character may not need consent, but confirm with your Local Planning Authority.

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Consent is separate from planning permission, unauthorised works are a criminal offence, and there is no application fee in England.

What does insurance cost on a Grade II listed building?

Prices vary by rebuild cost, construction, location, and claims history. In many cases it is higher than a standard home because repairs may need approved traditional materials and specialist trades.

What are the differences between standard buildings insurance and high-value buildings insurance?

Standard buildings insurance is designed for typical homes, while high-value buildings insurance is tailored for properties with a higher rebuild cost, specialist materials, or unique architectural features. It provides broader protection, has higher limits, and more extensive coverage for luxury finishes and bespoke elements that standard policies may not fully insure.

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  1. 1 Tell us about your home
  2. 2 Review your quote
  3. 3 Accept and pay
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