r/ArtConservation • u/Ok-Gazelle-6362 • 5d ago

Can anyone help me understand how you insure your collectables (art/antiques/etc)?

/r/artcollecting/comments/1x41lfo/can_anyone_help_me_understand_how_you_insure_your/

I'm trying to figure out what people actually do when it comes to insuring their collections (art mainly) and I'd really appreciate some advice!

If you've bought a few pieces over the years, do you insure them separately or just rely on your home contents insurance?

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u/Sneakys2 5d ago

I’m not sure about the UK, but in the US you’d get what’s called a rider which is basically extra coverage you add on to your homeowners insurance. People often get them for things like wedding rings or if they inherit a few valuable antiques. If you’ve had the work professionally appraised, you can report that to your insurance so it’s documented. 

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u/Ok-Gazelle-6362 5d ago

I wish we had one of those in the UK, maybe we do but its not obvious....

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u/Sneakys2 5d ago

Have you tried directly contacting your insurance company? Do they not have a product that covers things like wedding rings or one off valuable items? 

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u/pyerocket 5d ago

It’s pricey but Chubb in the UK offers specialty policies for collectables such as vintage cars, fine artworks, antiques, and jewelry. Appraisals are required.

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u/jonwilliamsl Books & paper conservator since 2015 5d ago

I read through my current renter's insurance policy, and it covers home contents without a subcap for my collection (books) up to the maximum value for the contents of the home. I have records of what I paid for books and/or estimates of their values stored in the cloud, so in the case of, for example, a fire, I still have the documentation.

Some types of collectibles (jewelry and other things made out of precious metals) are capped in my current insurance policy, and I've had previous policies where there was a subcap on collectibles generally.

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u/Far-Bison-5239 4d ago

If you have to move at any point with your artwork I would make sure you've got good movers insurance and take the time to find moving guys with a good rep- preprogram I interned for an objects conservator who I swear (hand to God) a consistent third of her yearly business was treating art work damaged in moves.