News release

New Brochure Helps Homeowners Insure Heritage Houses

Tourism, Culture and Heritage (Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2011)

Property owners who are looking for information on insuring their older homes have new information at their fingertips thanks to a comprehensive brochure on preserving Nova Scotia's built heritage.

"This brochure dispels myths about insuring heritage homes and answers some of the most frequent questions from owners of older homes," said Bill Greenlaw, executive director of the heritage division of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "It's the product of heritage partners working together to educate Nova Scotians on an important aspect of owning a heritage property."

Insuring Old Homes in Nova Scotia clarifies what homeowners, heritage professionals and the insurance business can do to keep these heritage places well insured.

The brochure explains to owners of municipally and provincially registered houses how bylaws and the Heritage Property Act affect their property and who to turn to when advice is needed from a heritage professional.

"We want to let homeowners know how to minimize insurance risk for their older homes and how to keep accurate and comprehensive records of the work that's been done," said Don Forgeron, vice-president Atlantic, Insurance Bureau of Canada. "Owners of older homes need the facts about insurance accessibility and coverage."

That information can help homeowners feel more comfortable about their important role in preserving links with Nova Scotia's past.

"Older homes are all about retaining a sense of place that's unique to our communities and to Nova Scotia," said Maggie Holm, heritage planner with Halifax Regional Municipality. "By preserving built heritage, homeowners of older properties help preserve our past."

The brochure was developed by heritage professionals and representatives of heritage associations and the insurance industry, including Planning Services -- Heritage Property Program (Halifax Regional Municipality), the Heritage Property Program and Historic Places Initiative (Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage), the Provincial Heritage Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia, Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia and the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

The new brochure is available through the Heritage Property Program at the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage by calling 424-5647, or from any of the partners. The brochure is also available on the website at www.nshistoricplaces.ca .