[MassHistPres] Home insurance on NR listed properties

[Steinitz, Michael @ SEC]

Every week or so we are contacted by another historic homeowner who has gotten a notice of cancellation from their insurer.  Some insurers appear to  have discovered the MACRIS database, and seem to be dropping policies if they find a record there, regardless of whether or not there is a National  Register designation.  So in addition  to the memo on National Register properties, MHC has also prepared the attached memo regarding properties in the statewide Inventory in relation to insurance to help those property owners in responding to their insurer’s concerns.   Again, this is a national issue, exacerbated by a very challenging property insurance environment, with historic properties in general already being considered less desirable to insure, and insurers looking for any ways to reduce their exposure to perceived  risk.

Michael

Michael Steinitz
Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
Director, Preservation Planning Division
Massachusetts Historical Commission
220 Morrissey Blvd
Boston MA 02125
617-727-8470
617-727-5128 (fax)
michael.steinitz at sec.state.ma.us<mailto:michael.steinitz at sec.state.ma.us>

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of Haley, Ben @ SEC via MassHistPres
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2025 9:13 AM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Home insurance on NR listed properties

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<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/savingplaces.org/stories/insuring-historic-properties-qa__;!!O9h35Ks8fCsF!GuxRb8N9Zr_j_UEuMwZfIz-Y4i93B3Em9tGTC-HKfaXpA9E9bp3_fZsvPoHKz6mVBu3vhpALEOUFi3AG0q3mpt9M-7Y3jJ2ODiYx9g$>).

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<mailto: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<mailto: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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