Old house insurance by intelligent insurance
Specialist Home Insurance

Old house insurance

We provide home insurance for old houses, period properties, and homes built with traditional materials or unusual construction features.

Our policies are designed to reflect the higher rebuild costs and specialist repair considerations that can come with older homes.

old house insurance | Intelligent insurance

Insuring Your Old House

Older homes often need a more considered approach to insurance than modern properties.

Period features, traditional construction methods, and materials that are harder to source can all affect how a policy is assessed and how much it may cost to repair or rebuild the home after damage.

Choosing specialist cover can help make sure your insurance better reflects the age, character, and construction of your property.

Whether you own a Victorian terrace, a Georgian townhouse, a stone cottage, or another type of character home, it is important to have cover that takes those differences into account.

  • Over 3500 5-Star Reviews on Trust Pilot
  • Policies underwritten by a panel of UK insurers
  • Immediate online quote in most cases
  • Cover for houses built after 1700
  • Suitable for many period and character properties
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Frequently Asked Questions

It can do. Older homes may cost more to insure because they can include traditional materials, non-standard construction, and specialist features that are more expensive to repair or replace. Premiums can also be influenced by other factors such as your location, claims history, and the level of cover you choose.

We can usually provide cover for houses built after 1700. If your home was built before 1700, please speak to us, as we may be able to consider some properties on a case-by-case basis depending on the age, construction, and features of the home.

Many older properties were built using materials and methods that are less common today. Repair work may need specialist tradespeople, matching materials, or more careful restoration, which can increase rebuild and repair costs compared with standard homes.

No. Not all older homes are listed. Old house insurance can also be suitable for period properties and character homes that are not formally listed but still have features or construction types that make them different from modern properties. If your home is listed, that should be disclosed when requesting a quote.

You may be able to find this information in your title deeds or title register. A rough estimate is often enough to begin a quote, particularly if you know the general period when the property was built.

Depending on your needs, optional cover may include accidental damage, family legal protection, home emergency cover, and cover for high value personal belongings. It is important to check the policy documents for limits, exclusions, and conditions before buying.

Tailored specialist older property insurance

Specialist cover for old and period homes

Older homes are rarely one-size-fits-all, and their insurance should not be either.

Whether your property has traditional materials, unusual construction features, or period details that need a more specialist approach, our cover is designed to reflect the way older homes differ from standard modern houses.

That means insurance that is based on your property’s individual characteristics, with clear cover features and optional add-ons to help you shape protection around your needs.

What we provide

Buildings cover up to £1,000,000
The amount your insurer will pay to repair or rebuild your home in the event of an insured loss.
Contents Insurance up to £100,000
New for old cover for belongings kept in your home
Alternative accommodation
Temporary accommodation in the event your home is uninhabitable
Replacement locks and keys
For lost or stolen keys
Trace and access cover up to £5,000
Replacement and repair to any parts of the building that are removed when tracing escape of water
Family Legal Protection up to £25,000
Cover for legal expenses (whether prosecuting or defending). There is a £100 excess.
Home Emergency Cover up to £250 per call-out
24 hour immediate assistance from a professional electrician, plumber or other specialist following certain emergencies in the home included as standard.

What isn't included?

We don’t cover loss or damage
  • Caused by wear, tear or gradual deterioration
  • That occurred before the policy started
  • Caused by vermin, insects, pets
  • Caused by dishonest, wilful or deliberate acts
  • Arising from leaks from swimming pools, fixed hot tubs, jacuzzies, fixed spas
Cover restrictions
  • you are only covered up to the maximum claims limits shown on your schedule
  • you are responsible for any excesses stated in your policy
  • any exclusions or restrictions shown by endorsement in your schedule

Looking for extra protection? Upgrade your cover

  • Family Legal Protection Plus

    Family Legal Protection Plus extends this cover limit to £50,000 and increases the range of legal disputes that you’re covered for.

    Optional – Family Legal Protection Plus
  • Home Emergency Plus

    Enjoy complete protection with extended emergency callout cover with up to £1,000 per callout, £1,000 Total Claims Limit/Year, Boiler & Heating System cover & Alternative Accommodation

    Optional – Home Emergency Plus
  • Accidental Damage

    Cover for accidental breakages or damage to your buildings e.g: putting your foot through the ceiling, or accidental breakage of glass

    Optional – Accidental Damage

Still have questions? Visit our help centre

What you get with Intelligent Insurance

  • Defaqto 5-Star rated protection
  • Underwritten by trusted, household-name insurers
  • Competitive premiums with flexible payment options
  • UK-based team praised for excellent customer service
  • Fast online quote - no lengthy phone calls required
Old House Insurance

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*We may not be able to quote in all circumstances. Cover limits/restrictions and/or conditions may apply to the policy. These are clearly detailed prior to purchase, and in the policy documentation for you to determine if the cover is suitable for your needs.

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What our customers say

“1832 Millworker’s stone cottage with mixed building materials…”

“I had initially intended to purchase the insurance online but due to system glitches, I had to do it by phone. Sam was very helpful and friendly. The price was reasonable considering it’s an old Welsh 1832 Millworker’s stone cottage with a modern steel and wood clad extension and has a stream couple of meters away, so I was very pleased to find Intelligent Insurance as many companies don’t cover properties with mixed building materials. Very happy.”

CW
New Policyholder – 19th September 2025