[MassHistPres] Home insurance on NR listed properties

Garrett Laws copperandslate at gmail.com
Mon Jun 30 11:14:30 EDT 2025


It would also be helpful to reach out to owners of NR properties to see who
they use and ask if the insurance company mentions the designation. This is
definitely a case where homeowners sharing information on the positive side
could create a huge benefit.

Garrett laws
Copper & Slate

On Monday, June 30, 2025, Steinitz, Michael @ SEC via MassHistPres <
masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:

> 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
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/220+Morrissey+Blvd+%0D%0A+Boston+MA+02125?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Boston MA 02125
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/220+Morrissey+Blvd+%0D%0A+Boston+MA+02125?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> 617-727-8470
>
> 617-727-5128 (fax)
>
> 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.
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/220+Morrissey+Blvd.+%0D%0A+Boston,+MA+02125?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Boston, MA 02125
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/220+Morrissey+Blvd.+%0D%0A+Boston,+MA+02125?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Ph: 617-727-8470
>
> Fax: 617-727-5128
>
> www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc
>
> 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
> $400/*MONTH* range). Is this something that a lot of you are seeing in
> your communities as well? I’m not sure what it is about National Register
> listing that has become their sticking point, because the NR is an honorary
> program only under most circumstances.
>
>
>
> Does anyone know of any insurers that regularly provide insurance
> regardless of NR listing, and at a reasonable price? Also interested in if
> anything is being doing to address this issue.
>
>
>
> Best,
>
>
>
> *Michelle H. Johnstone *
>
> Senior Preservation Planner
>
> Executive Office of Economic Development | Planning & Regulatory Services
> Division
>
> City of Worcester | 455 Main Street, Rm 404, Worcester, MA 01608
>
> P: 508-799-1400 x31410
>
> C: 774-622-0695
>
> E: johnstonem at worcesterma.gov
>
> www.worcesterma.gov
> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.worcesterma.gov/__;!!O9h35Ks8fCsF!BTD_4i2UwH8wqiZ2PYbjUOIcaP5n1gjqo7XnErlfUT9jgJgnE1n3niOwsivRYvS-VUfuJCLuff3BNdAqUqxeu1OkP5_xM6Pc$>
>
>
>


-- 

Many Thanks,
Garrett Laws

The Copper & Slate Company <https://copperandslate.net>

Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/copperandslatecompany/>

The Copper & Slate Company, Inc.
Fine Roofing and Historic Carpentry
238 Calvary Street,
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 893-1916

*LEAD FREE SINCE 2008*
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