Historic Property Insurance

Zurich’s Historic Properties program offers insurance coverage to occupied commercial properties that are:

  • Listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a state or local register
  • Contributing buildings in a historic district
  • Built before 1950 and having the same coverage needs as listed designated historic properties (Built before 1950 and meeting the National Parks criteria for registry evaluation)
 
historical building

Business owners: Contact your insurance agent or broker

Insurance agents

Call a specialist now 847-762-7174

Appetite

  • City or social clubs
  • Hotels or inns
  • Museums
  • Preservation organizations
  • Real estate and retail property
  • Restaurants
  • Theaters
  • Offices
  • Religious organizations

Guidelines for Habitational exposures (apartments and condominiums)

  • Construction: MNC or better (cannot consider Frame or Joisted Masonry)
  • Protection:
    • Fully Sprinklered
    • CSA including Fire/Smoke and preferably Sprinkler Leakage
  • Designation: building must be on a registry or a contributing building within a Historic District
  • Water Damage Deductible: $100,000 minimum
  • Loss Ratio < / = 25% on the current term and 3 years plus current combined

Geography

  • Nationwide except Hawaii

Outside of Appetite:

  • Frame, non-sprinklered buildings
  • Vacant buildings (requires 75% occupancy)

Coverages offered:

  • Property – (Historic Replacement Cost, Guaranteed Replacement Cost, Cash Value - at Agreed cost with no coinsurance)
  • General Liability
  • Historic Tax Credit Recapture
  • Business Income
  • Commercial Auto

 

  • Depending on the line of business, ACORD applications (with completed SOV) and supplemental applications are required.
  • Loss runs for the past five years and financials are also needed.

  • Valuation experience and historic appraisals from specialists who have reviewed historic properties nationwide.

FAQs

Historic Property Insurance from Zurich is designed to help protect historically significant buildings against property damage. Coverage reflects the unique construction, materials and restoration requirements often associated with historic properties.

The program offers coverage to qualified properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a state or local register, or a building contributing to a historic district or built before 1950 and having the same coverage needs as listed designated historic properties. Targeted classes include museums, hotels or inns, theaters and other types of buildings constructed before 1950. Our historic home coverage is designed for house museums (not residential). See our appetite details for more information.

Historic properties often involve unique building materials, specialized craftsmanship and regulatory restoration requirements. Zurich Historic Property Insurance is structured to help address these complexities, which may not be adequately covered under standard property insurance policies.

Insurance programs for historic properties may include:

  • Property insurance for the building structure (required)
  • General liability coverage
  • Business income coverage (when applicable)

Yes. Zurich Historic Property Insurance is available nationwide except Hawaii, subject to underwriting guidelines, local regulations and preservation requirements.

Yes. Zurich works closely with insurance agents and brokers experienced in historic and specialty property risks to design coverage aligned with preservation standards and ownership goals.

To obtain Zurich historic property insurance, you can request contact through ZProgramsMatch.

Zurich Historic Property Insurance may be a good fit for owners who:

  • Own designated or historically significant buildings
  • Face preservation or restoration requirements

Zurich helps owners protect historic assets while managing modern risk exposures.

Property owners choose Zurich because of:

  • Experience supporting complex and specialty property risks
  • Understanding of preservation and restoration considerations
  • Strong claims and risk management support
  • Long-term financial strength and stability

Zurich helps safeguard historic properties for future generations.

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