The exact cost depends on the age of the period home with those built in the Stuart period of 1603 to 1714 coming in highest for premiums.
Overall, insurance for period homes costs £376 a year on average, as of February 2026, compared to £179 for a modern property built after 2000.
Period properties: What are typical home insurance premiums?
It will come as no surprise those period homes built earlier in our history command the highest premiums with those from the Stuart period attracting premiums of £545, typically. Meanwhile, homes from the Georgian era – between 1714 and 1830 – cost £446 on average whilst Tudor properties (1485 to 1603) can expect typical premiums of £418.
Edwardian homes (1901 to 1910) typically cost £243 a year to insure while Victorian homes, which are built between 1837 and 1901, are a little more expensive on average, at £252.
Why are period properties more expensive to insure?
According to Compare the Market, the disparity in insurance costs between period homes and those built after 2000 is partly down to the unique features of the former.
Many period homes have been built with unconventional materials and have outdated plumbing, electrical systems and roofing – which can often increase the risk of damage and, consequently, insurance claims.
There is also a higher risk of fire or burst pipes in period homes because they were built before modern electrical safety standards and may have ageing plumbing systems.
The distinctive features of period homes, which often make them most attractive to buyers, can also make them costlier to rebuild. Some materials may be harder to source, and repairs sometimes require specialist tradespeople.
Have home insurance premiums gone up or down?
The average cost of insuring a period home has, however, fallen in the last year, according to Compare the Market.
Premiums for period homes cost £442 on average in February 2025, meaning the cost of insurance for period homeowners has dropped by 15% year-on-year.
This mirrors the broader drop in average home insurance premiums across the UK reported in Compare the Market’s latest Monthly Home Premiums research, which found that homeowners had benefitted from a 9% annual fall in premiums in January 2026.
Amy Rootham, home insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: “While period homes are often prized for their character and history, these features can often come with higher insurance costs than newer homes.
“However, it’s encouraging to see premiums for period homes fall over the past year, in line with wider market trends.
“That being said, it’s still a good idea for homeowners to regularly review their cover and shop around to ensure they’re getting the right deal for their needs.”