Category Archives: Art transit Insurance

American Collectors Insurance, Art Collector, Art Dealer, Art Gallery Insurance, Art Insurance, Art transit Insurance, Artist Insurance, Artist Studio, Comtemporary Art Insurance, Exhibtion Art Coverage, Fine Art, Galleries, Insurance Claim Reporting, Markel Insurance, Uncategorized

Iconic Muhammad Ali print stolen from museum.

The Print, which was stolen while the museum was open to the public depicted Ali in a classic boxing pose painted in the brilliantly colored, expressionist style that LeRoy Neiman was known for. Brazen thieves ripped the print from the wall even with security cameras watching, It’s important to understand the value of art insurance and protect yourself by covering your valuable collection.

Although risk extends beyond theft (47 percent of art loss is attributed to damage during transit according to The New York Times) art trafficking is a very real thing and according to statistics ranks third behind drugs and arms.

In a case of  theft, the loss is irreversible. Not only the artwork is irreplaceable itself but also even the reputation of the organization suffers from a mere fact that such situation has occurred. Without having a comprehensive fine art collectors insurance from a trustworthy art insurance broker, the masterpieces are subjected to risk.

Apply for coverage here or call me if you have any questions or to discuss your options.

William G. Fleischer CIC | Principal
T: 212 566-1881 ext.111
E: wfleischer@bfbond.com
W: ArtInsuranceNow.com

 

 

Art Collector, Art Gallery Insurance, Art Insurance, Art transit Insurance, Auction Houses, Comtemporary Art Insurance, Fine Art, Insurance Claim Reporting

David Bowie’s Art Collection to be auctioned, how would a collectors policy respond?

Not just David Bowie’s Estate sends work to the art auctions but individual collectors do also.

The most popular conversations I have are collectors looking to insure their work while in transit to an auction house like Christie’s, Sotheby’s, de Pury, and Phillips house.

Many times the auction house will either visit the collection or ask the collector to send the item to be auctioned directly to the house, either to be further evaluated or to be inserted into the auction rotation.

The preferred Collector’s insurance policy I like to sell, include and is not limited to coverage in transit and away from premises, in exhibitions and in storage and does not exclude auction houses.

The evaluation of the Art is based on two different models. Depending on the Art Insurance Company policy wording, One base is on the schedule amounts of the item on file (either with the Insurance company or the Collector) and the other is based on the current market value (onus of proof is on the collector).

In the case of David Bowie, Jim Hendrix or even Robin Williams, the auction house receives these items on consignment and will charge a hefty fee to insure them while on the premises.  I advise my clients to not use auction house insurance because most of the policies I sell have coverage for unnamed locations or broad enough to cover the works given for sale on a stated amount.

One of the downfalls of using the insurance, the auction houses give you, is how their insurance establishes values of the art at claim time.  Usually, it is not based on the artwork consignment agreement but on the lowest estimated value. The cost to you for using their insurance is usually much more expensive than what you are currently paying. The standard auction house’s most common policies have wording to the effect of;

“Property of others consigned to you for auction, at the lowest pre-sale estimate” and “Where no consignment receipt exists but the article appears on your records fully described, such property shall be valued at the lowest anticipated pre-sale estimate or the amount for which you are held legally liable, whichever is less”

This may be lower than your schedule or market value to entice attention for a bidding war.

When in doubt, call me to discuss your unique situation.

William

William G. Fleischer CIC | Principal
T: 212 566-1881 ext.111
E: wfleischer@bfbond.com
W: ArtInsuranceNow.com

 

Art Insurance, Art transit Insurance, Exhibtion Art Coverage, Homeowners vs Fine ARt Policy, Liberty Mutual, USAA

Art Collection more Valuable than your Home?

I received an interesting referral from the insurance carrier, Liberty Mutual. The homeowner has insurance for his home of $350,000 but his art collection is worth $400,000. Liberty Mutual would not insure the art so they sent him to me. I also get similar referrals from insurance carriers like USAA and Geico.

His story is very typical, He is receiving an inheritance of valuable art. His short-term goal is to bring the art into his home, then possibly sell them in the future.

I explained to him the various options, Blanket Coverage, where he will have to prove the value at the time of loss, this is easy because when people die, there is an accounting of assets required from the IRS to establish death tax.

But there are cases where the tax valuation does not exist or is purposely low. For establishing current market value under a blanket policy, tax evaluation is not important but the description can be. The description can be used to help a dealer or appraiser establish the current market price.

Then I explained to him, he can insure based on Scheduled Coverage, The schedule does not have to be backed up with bills of sale or appraisals. The downside to this is he may undervalue the art.

The third option we discussed is Scheduled Coverage based on bills or appraisals, this is great for at the moment value, but can lose if the art appreciates.

I also explained that the coverage I can suggest to him, would include coverage for art transport, storage while the art is in his home and if he decides to either put the art in an exhibition or give/consign to a dealer, the insurance would follow the art in these situations.

Call us if you require coverage for your valuable collectibles.  We can custom design the right policy for your unique situation and get you properly covered quickly.

 

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Art Collector, Art transit Insurance, Claim Process, Fine Art, Uncategorized

What to ask Art Gallery/Dealer before consigning your Art

Damage to Art happens more often than is reported. How can you make sure you are covered?

American Airlines, along with seven other art handling companies, is being sued for damage to a slash sculpture by Lucio Fontana. the damage work occurred while it was being shipped to the New York Armory Show.  Lloyd’s of London was the insurer for the gallery, Marc Selwyn Fine Art.

Most art claims arise from transit damages, this is so important to make sure your current Art Insurance policy covers losses while your fine art, antiques, and collectibles are being shipped.  Most policies do not restrict the mode of transportation be it Air, Train, Boat or Truck, but they do restrict using the United Postal Service’s regular mail.

The Swiss art trading company AGB Contemporary AG consigned Concetto Spaziale (1955-60) to Marc Selwyn with a sale price of €175,000 ($196,000), according to the ArtNews newspaper. When the work was actually damaged is difficult to figure out.

The Art was packed and stored by World Freight outside of Paris, then trucked to  Charles de Gaulle airport for JFK via American Airlines flight to New York. One week later, the sculpture was transported to the Armory Show where it was uncreated and the damage discovered.

Now, this is where I find it interesting.  Lloyd’s paid Marc Selwyn Fine Art $104,250 to cover the insurance money due.  But the work was for sale for $196,000 why did Lloyds of London pay out less?  My theory has a few variables.

The Art Dealer, Marc Selwyn Fine Art policy had a valuation clause of % of sale price or a % of consignment agreement minus a deductible.  Sidebar comment: checks are made to the dealer, not the lender, which could be a problem if the dealer holds back or refuses to pay the lender, it is recommended you ask to be a loss payee on all valuable work given to dealers/galleries.

These 3 variables are important to ask if you are the collector trusting your art, to a dealer.

  1. What is your policy evaluation clause if the work is stolen or damaged? Typical dealer valuation is selling price minus 20% or 30%.
  2. What is the valuation based on Consignment? usually consigned amount plus 10%.  But what if work was double consigned? most policies are silent on this and would have to be clarified by the company or the courts.
  3. What is the deductible on the policy, $1,000, $10,000, $100,000?
  4. Are there any restrictions on the method of travel? to countries?
  5. I highly recommend the lender to be named as a loss payee on the dealer policy, in the event anything should happen to the consigned work.

Each situation is different. Circumstances and risk tolerances evolving around the” business of Art” should be explored to help mitigate losses due to the unforeseen perils in the world we live in.

William Fleischer, CIC

800-921-1008 ext 111

www.ArtInsuranceNow.com

 

Art Collector, Art Dealer, Art Gallery Insurance, Art Insurance, Art transit Insurance, Auction Houses, AXA Art, Comtemporary Art Insurance, Exhibtion Art Coverage, Fine Art, Galerest Insurance, Insurance Companies, Jewelry, Museum Coverage, Musical Intruments, Old Masters, Photogaphy Dealer Insurance, Photographs, Private Collectors and Corporate Collections, Sculpture, Transit, Travelers Insurance company, University libraries and collections

AXA Art Insurance Company

 
Good News! After 29 years in the Insurance Business, I have partnered up with   AXA and Travelers Insurance Company. We can now negotiate favorable terms and conditions with very competitive pricing. I now have the facility to insure all types and size collections, Dealers, Museums and Non-profit galleries.
If you are involved in the art world, I can insure your exposures.

• Commercial Art • Art and Antique Dealers • Restore and Conservators • Museums • Private collectors • Large or Small inventories. • Domestic or International. • Art Fair transportation, while at fair,     shipped to collectors • Art loaned to Museums or non- profits, • Art being shipped or carried on board, • Coverage for special events, Parties,     Gala’s, Dinners. • Non-profit organizations and more

There are special policies so broad that besides the standard theft or breakage coverage’s it actually includes mold and devaluation of the art pieces due to a loss. The premiums begin around $2,500 for about $250,000 worth of protection.

Recent successes:  An Art dealer who brings works to various fairs and sells from her private gallery just purchased this policy

$300,000 premises limit $300,000 unnamed location $300,000 while in transit We set the unnamed location limit and transit limit as matching limits to avoid any gaps in coverage. Premium is $3100 with $1,000 deductible.
The Genuine Article – “Total flexibility with market-leading security – the ultimate high-net-worth coverage for art and antique collectibles, buildings, and contents.”
Call me with your questions.

William G. Fleischer, CIC 212 566-1881 ext 111 wfleischer@bfbond.com

Dealer Insurance, Museum Insurance, Corporate/Private Fine Art, and Collectibles Insurance.

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Art Collector, Art transit Insurance, Auction Houses, Comtemporary Art Insurance, Fine Art

Insuring art work in transit to auction houses

Recently with all the Auction houses in full mode, I have been receiving many phone calls concerning artwork in transit.

The main movement of Art and Collectibles are going to the Auction houses. Most of the time, Individual’s would send the auction house information about the work, and if acceptable, the burden of insurance falls on the collector to get the work to the Auction house.

Most collectors who sell through auction houses, don’t think about coverage while it is at the Auction house.  Many Auction houses charge very high rates for this coverage , which in many circumstances are included in my design of the policy.

Granted, you can buy a one-way art or collectibles transit policy that stops once the work is received, or you can think beyond and purchase a policy which at times include insurance coverage while shipping to Auction Houses, Galleries, Storage, and framers.

Complete my form for collectors, and let’s figure out an Art Insurance program which fits your style.

William G. Fleischer, CIC

www.ArtInsuranceNow.com

Art transit Insurance, Artist Insurance, Comtemporary Art Insurance, Exhibtion Art Coverage

How to evaluate your own work as an artist

Since my Launch of an Artist’s Insurance website: I have had numerous conversations regarding “How an Insurance Company evaluates Art.”

The policy evaluation is straightforward. Sales price minus 30%.

This is a simple formula if you have a track record of sales.  Where the conversation turns, is when the artist is new to the market.  I say this because I have worked with artists who, at various ages and experience are now, entering group shows and exhibitions.

A seasoned artist knows the consignment agreement or the exhibition agreement requires the artist to place a value of their Artwork in the form, but for the neophyte, this is where the “tire hits the Road” or the “paint hits the canvas” and takes the discussion deeper.

So what are the methods of pricing one’s own work, and will the insurance company accept the sale price of an artist, who never sold?

This is how I approach the question.

First, everything has a value.  Fundamentally;  material, time, education, experience, teachers, demographics, size shape, media, subject, along with time spent, researching and actually producing the work. etc…

Of course, the Artist understands this, but what is the valuation sale price, I tell them to just make up a reasonable sale price using the fundamentals as your guiding denominator. Usually, they are within range and the Insurance does not dispute and pay the claim.

In the policy form, it is up to the Artist to prove what the value of sales, so if they put an unrealistic sale price on the work, the insurance company using similar methods will determine the sale price is way over inflated.  At this juncture, an independent third party will then appraise the work and the valuation will be established, and the claim would be paid out accordingly.

Bottom line, price your work based on the merits of your talent and experience with keeping the ego in check.

New Artist Insurance Program custom designed for the serious Artist.

 

Limits start at $100,000

 

  • Exhibition
  • Transit,
  • Studio
  • Storage
  • Worldwide Coverage
  • Includes Material and commissioned work in progress
  • Visit artinsurancenow.com for all your Art insurance

 

Premiums start at $1000

 

Kindly help me get the word out by passing this along

 

Thank You

 

William

William G. Fleischer, CIC
President
29 Broadway, Suite 1511
New York NY 10006
T. 212 566-1881 ext 111
F. 212 566-1615
C. 917 863-8787
wfleischer@bfbond.com
www.BFbond.com
www.ArtInsuranceNow.com

Action Figures, Advertising Memorabilia, American Collectors Insurance, Animation Art, Antique, Antique Cars, Antique Furniture Dealers, Art Collector, Art Glass, Art transit Insurance, Bad weather and Art, what to do!, Books and Maps, Brass Antiques, coins, Coins and Bullion, Collectable dinnerware/stemware, Collectibles, Collector Plates, Collectors quilt, Comic Books, Comtemporary Art Insurance, Die Cast, Dolls, Figurines, Fine Art, Guns, Homeowners vs Fine ARt Policy, Jukeboxes, Militaria, Model Trains and Sets, Ornaments, Photographs, Pottery, Prints, Rare Books, Sculpture, Sports Memorabilia, Stamps, Stamps, Teddy Bears, Trading Cards, Wood Antiques

How is your Art being Insured?

Every day, I am helping to insure art collections.  art collections, Gun Collections, Rug Collections, Rare Books Collection, Prehistoric Art collections, Samurai Swords, Bibles,

In the past few days, I have insured rare books, Bibles, Photographs, Manuscripts Antique guns, and furniture. click here for applications

Your homeowner’s policy excludes perils like Roof leaking, wind-driven rain, back up of sewers and drains, Breakage, transit Loss of Value due to a loss.

Most fine art policies have these coverages included. If there is something which is valuable to you and your family, I can insure it.

Call Me 800-921-1008

William G. Fleischer, CIC
President
29 Broadway, Suite 1511
New York NY 10006
T. 212 566-1881 ext 111
F. 212 566-1615
wfleischer@bfbond.com
www.ArtInsuranceNow.com

Art Collector, Art Insurance, Art transit Insurance, Claim Process, Comtemporary Art Insurance, Fine Art, Homeowners vs Fine ARt Policy, Private Collectors and Corporate Collections, Rare Books, Sculpture, Stamps, Uncategorized

Art Evaluation formulas you might see in an Art Collection Policy

Here are most of the current options found in an Art Collectors Insurance policy

1. Stated Amount based on an appraisal.
2. Market value or appraised value whichever is less.
3. Market value or appraised value. Maximum value 1.5% of appraisal value.
4. Market value – Onus of proof ( insured to prove value) up to policy limit.
5. Unscheduled Items: can be based on maximum value per item –Maximum Blanket limit- Onus of proof for valuation
6. Newly Acquired Property their cash value, but not more than 25% on similar type of policy.
7. Newly Acquired Property the lesser of 25% on similar type on policy or $10,000.
8. The cost of reasonably restoring that property to it condition immediately before the loss
9. The cost of replacing that property with a substantially identical property.
10. Property of Others in your Care, Custody, and control Maximum, based on the agreed amount prior to Loss 25% of Policy Limit,
11. Jointly Owned Property, value as stated in an agreement with the co-owner(s) up to the amount of your interest.
12. A loss to your Art Reference library, including books, catalogs and “data and Media” Settled at Actual Cash Value.

William
William G. Fleischer, CIC
President
29 Broadway, Suite 1511
New York NY 10006
212 566-1881 ext 111
wfleischer@bfbond.com
www.BFbond.com
www.ArtInsuranceNow.com

APPLICATIONS:

• Art Dealers
• Artist Transit/Exhibition/Studio Insurance New Program
• Auctioneers
• Conservators/Restorers
• Corporate Collections
• Personal Collections
• Exhibitions
• Museum Collections
• Business Owners Liability

Art transit Insurance, Artist Insurance, Exhibtion Art Coverage, Galerest Insurance, Public Art, Sculpture, Uncategorized

Artist Insurance Policies include Studio, Exhibition and Transit protection.

Everything has a connection and a direction.  It all started one day while I was riding my Trek road bike on a 70-mile ride on the back roads of Piermont NY.  I always pass a sign which read: Open studio visits and Gallery. As I passed by I decided to stop and check it out. The driveway hill was an 11.5% grade, not fun on the bike but “Art” cheered me on!

I was met by “The Art Student League” Artist in residence program director Gary L. Sussman.  Many cyclists ride by, but it seems very few stop by, especially Art Insurance Consultants.

The Artists residence grounds are amazing. As I approached, I saw many buildings, a big barn, studio spaces and very nice living quarters.  Mr. Sussman explained to me the artist residency program which is pretty comprehensive. 100% of the artists are on full scholarship, no worries of cost, so they can fully focus on the creative process and the artistic energy to experiment and make amazing ART.

I explained to Sussman, a New Insurance program I had developed just for Artists, an Artist Transit/Exhibition/Studio Insurance Program  that insures the finished art piece, percentage of finished in the process of a new piece of Art, while the artwork is at Exhibitions and while in transit, along with libraries and materials.

I further explained to him, what the nicest part about this policy is, there is no schedule, list, or inventory required of values at the time of placing the insurance but is required at the time of loss to prove what the current value is because the settlement is based on current market value minus 30%.  To establish the value at loss time, the artist would substantiate the claim by using previous sales, time and materials to create, photos and other tools which would justify the claim.

The key points of the policy are no schedule, the flexibility to have work made then displayed, Insuring work while in the studio, storage, transit and art shows. These Include materials, reference libraries, and tools.

For more information about this innovative policy and a fast free quote, contact us at www.artinsurancenow.com, fill out an application here or call us at 1.800.921.1008

 

William G. Fleischer, CIC
President
Bernard Fleischer and Sons

29 Broadway, Suite 1511
New York NY 10006
212 566-1881 ext 111
wfleischer@bfbond.com
ArtInsurancenow.com

APPLICATIONS: