Farmhouse insurance

If you live on a farm, you'll want to protect your farmhouse in the same way you'd protect any home.

But can you just go ahead and buy buildings and contents insurance as you would with a standard home? Do you need to consider a specialist farm policy or additional cover?

We'll look at what you might need to think about when getting home insurance for your farmhouse.

 

What is farmhouse insurance?

Just because you're surrounded by sheep, tractors or the occasional muddy boot instead of city traffic, it doesn't mean your home shouldn't be protected.

But working on a farm is fairly different from the average suburban lifestyle, and so, your circumstances aren't exactly the same.

If you run and operate a farm, you might need a specialist farm insurance policy. Why? It tends to include specific cover for the risks involved with an agricultural business.

This should also provide you with a degree of home insurance for your farmhouse. But you'll need to search for farm insurance policies that provide the level of home insurance that you require.

What level of cover do I need for farm buildings?

When it comes to farmhouse buildings insurance, think structure. What falls under building insurance, we hear you ask? This type of policy can provide cover for:

• Walls
• Floors
• Roof
• Windows
• Doors
• Permanent fixtures and fittings

Now that we've nailed down what's generally covered, what exactly are you protected against? The likes of:

• Theft and vandalism
• Water damage
• Fire damage
• Vehicle damage caused by collision
• Subsidence

At this point, it's important to state what's included in a buildings insurance policy is likely to vary depending on your provider. So if you specifically require cover for subsidence, for example, just check that it's included.

So, ultimately, what level of cover you need really does come down to what you need specifically from your policy.

How much is farmhouse insurance?

According to Confused.com data*, in 2025, the average costs of farmhouse insurance are:

But hold your horses (or sheep), these are simply average costs. Exactly what you pay for farmhouse insurance depends on a number of different factors, such as:

• The type of building materials and roof your farmhouse has
• It's rebuild value
• The overall value of your contents
• The year your farmhouse was built
• Your location

If, for example, the rebuild cost of your farmhouse far exceeds the average, you can generally expect to pay more. But other factors can also have an impact.

Can I upgrade the cover for my farmhouse?

Everything we've discussed so far is what you can typically expect from a standard buildings insurance policy. But most insurers generally offer enhanced cover for an additional cost.

Insurers tend to offer further cover for:

Accidental damage: Does what it says on the tin. Say you spill red wine on your expensive prized cream carpet, for example, accidental damage can protect you from repair or replacement costs.

Home emergency cover: There for you if something sudden happens to your boiler, or electrics, for example. It won't pay out for the damage, but it can cover rather expensive urgent callouts and repairs.

Legal expenses: Can provide cover if you find yourself in a legal dispute with a neighbour, for example. This could help with legal fees or any potential pay out.

What if my farmhouse is a listed building?

A listed building in the UK is a property or structure that has some form of cultural, architectural or historical importance. There are 3 grades of listed buildings, but it could cost more to insure compared to a standard home.

If you own a listed building, repairs and building work need additional care and planning. You might even need permission from a local council to make any changes.

Listed buildings are sometimes built with non-standard specialist materials and will require professional tradespeople to carry out any repairs or work. Their age does also play a part. Because of this, these types of properties are typically seen as riskier to insure by insurance providers.

If your farmhouse is a listed building, you might not be offered standard insurance. If so, you might need to search for a specialist policy or contact a specific insurance broker.

Are any outbuildings covered by farm building insurance?

It depends on your policy.

Let's say you have farmhouse buildings insurance. A standard policy generally covers the structure and any outbuildings within the boundary of your property - including things like summer houses and sheds.

But, we're talking about a farm, as opposed to a semi-detached house. So chances are, if you're running a farm, you may have other structures that house livestock, for example.

It's unlikely that a standard farmhouse buildings insurance policy would cover these types of structures.

However, a specialist farm insurance policy could. In addition, these policies can also cover transit and farm equipment, for example. Although, you'll likely need specialist insurance for your tractors!

A farm insurance policy may also include some form of buildings and contents cover for your farmhouse.

Tips for cheaper farm building insurance

When it comes to farmhouse insurance, we don't blame you for feeling like you're stuck with the first quote you get.

But sticking to your search and shopping around can help you find a cheaper deal - consider some of the following tips to help bring down the cost of your insurance:

Pay annually: If you can pay for your policy up front, rather than monthly, it can work out cheaper. That's because you won't have to pay interest for spreading the cost.

Check your cover: If you overestimate the rebuild value of your farmhouse or the total value of your contents, you could be paying more than necessary. Just make sure you don't underestimate these totals, otherwise you might leave your cover amount short. Our contents insurance calculator could help get you the right level of cover.

Consider greater home security: Approved security systems and insurer-recommended locks on your windows and doors can help deter thieves and could bring your premium cost down.

Increase your excess amounts: If you increase your compulsory and voluntary excess amounts, your premium could drop. These are the amounts you'll have to contribute towards a potential claim. So just be aware, you'll have to be able to pay these costs if you claim.

*Confused.com data January - July 2025

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