[MassHistPres] Home insurance on NR listed properties

[Haley, Ben @ SEC]

This is an issue occurring across the country with increasing frequency. A couple of years ago the MHC developed the attached memorandum to provide to property owners and/or insurance companies. The National Trust hosted a webinar on the subject in 2024 (see https://savingplaces.org/stories/insuring-historic-properties-qa).

Ben Haley
National Register Director
Massachusetts Historical Commission
220 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125
Ph: 617-727-8470
Fax: 617-727-5128
www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc<http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc>
ben.haley at sec.state.ma.us<mailto:ben.haley at sec.state.ma.us>

Please be advised that the Massachusetts Secretary of State considers e-mail to be a public record, and therefore subject to public access under the Massachusetts Public Records Law,M.G.L. c. 66 § 10.

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of Johnstone, Michelle via MassHistPres
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2025 2:18 PM
To: MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] Home insurance on NR listed properties

Happy Friday, Preservationists 😊

Here in Worcester, we have been noticing an uptick in complaints from owners (particularly new buyers) of NR-listed buildings related to their inability, in some cases, to find an insurance company to cover them at all, and in other cases, rates being exorbitantly expensive (like in the $400/MONTH range). Is this something that a lot of you are seeing in your communities as well? I’m not sure what it is about National Register listing that has become their sticking point, because the NR is an honorary program only under most circumstances.

Does anyone know of any insurers that regularly provide insurance regardless of NR listing, and at a reasonable price? Also interested in if anything is being doing to address this issue.

Best,

Michelle H. Johnstone
Senior Preservation Planner
Executive Office of Economic Development | Planning & Regulatory Services Division
City of Worcester | 455 Main Street, Rm 404, Worcester, MA 01608
P: 508-799-1400 x31410
C: 774-622-0695
E: johnstonem at worcesterma.gov<mailto:johnstonem at worcesterma.gov>
www.worcesterma.gov<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.worcesterma.gov/__;!!O9h35Ks8fCsF!BTD_4i2UwH8wqiZ2PYbjUOIcaP5n1gjqo7XnErlfUT9jgJgnE1n3niOwsivRYvS-VUfuJCLuff3BNdAqUqxeu1OkP5_xM6Pc$>

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