Category Archives: Rare Books

Art Insurance for Collectors; Schedule vs. Blanket

The Art of Collecting Art.

There’s a big difference between buying art and collecting art. Buying art is more of a random activity based on likes, preferences or attractions at any given moment while collecting art is more of a purposeful, directed, long-term commitment. An important step in good collecting is not the most delightful one to talk about, but it is among the most necessary, and that is to plan for the unforeseen.

As an art insurance broker, I readily come across collections that are an intricate part of retirement and inheritance planning.  It’s a great asset to pass down.  Baby boomers bought artwork for the love of the art.  Art as an investment vehicle was a small part of the decision-making, not like today which is the main focus.

In the past 15 years as the art market sales and demand took off, Art purchased 40, 30 or even 10 years ago is worth a lot.  Hence, I am seeing collector’s policy limits rise into the millions. I will explain some key differences in the type of policy offered in today’s marketplace. Art Insurance and collectible insurance demands are a new focus with some insurers. Beware, like the art world, no two are the same, read the exclusions, conditions and valuation clauses in a policy.

Understand what schedule means and its limitations, some say the maximum they will pay is what is on the schedule or schedule plus 125% or 150% and then some added or market value whichever is less.  A popular coverage is Blanket Insurance; usually, this is for the collection under $300,000. The advantage is that you are not required to supply the companies with appraisals, bill of sale or any other documentation when you bind the coverage.

Only at the time of loss, the onus of proof of value is on the collector.  This is not a lengthy process; either go back to your paperwork and ask for a current valuation from a dealer or show your work to a dealer and put the value in a letter. Both methods of either scheduling the art or using the blanket limit are tools I use when working with my clients.  Each person looks at insurance in different ways and has different requirements. Let me work with you and answer all your questions to present a program which is satisfactory to all those involved.

Visit us at ArtInsuranceNow.com, Apply below or Contact me at 800.921.1008 to discuss your unique situation.

William G. Fleischer CIC

 

 

Insuring Art Work at Market Value

Collecting Art is fun, but maintaining values fluctuate a lot on an insurance policy.  All homeowners policies where fine art is a part of the policy are written on a scheduled basis.

To add these artworks to your schedule, the company requires a current bill of sale or a current appraisal.  The value is locked based on the schedule, good if the value goes down, bad if the values goes up.

Here is an endorsement which I feel the collector should consider when they are insuring an art collection.

It’s the Current Market Value 150.  With this endorsement, the company will pay the amount shown on the Schedule for which the item is insured. However, if the market value of the itemized article immediately before the loss or damage exceeds the amount of itemized coverage for that article, we will pay its “current market value” immediately before the loss or damage up to 150% of the amount of the itemized coverage for that article. Of course, if the item market value decrease you will get less.

For a quote on Fine Art, Collectibles and objects of value click here for the collectors application on my website.

 

 

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

American Collectors Insurance policy, Quote and Bind Instantly

Call me 800-921-1008 or click here to visit American Collectors web site for a quote:

cLICK HER TO GET A REALTIME QUOTE

If it's worth Collecting, it's worth Protecting
If it’s worth Collecting, it’s worth Protecting

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

How to Insure Prehistoric Art properly.

Prehistoric Art is Art from Ancient Near East, Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Islamic Art, etc was created on many different types of Median, Ceramic, Gold, Silver, Tapestry, Bronze, wood, stone. etc. over the years these work of art have become scarce, fragile and valuable.

I am insuring a dealer in Indian Art who specializes in Prehistoric Art.  He reminded me that Long Island in NY had one of the largest concentrations of Arrowheads.

Addressing the Insurance coverage for those Art items which you care for, I have a very special understanding of the risk of damage, theft while in the home or in a Exhibitions.

Art Insurance policies are not all the same. Some are written through LLOYD S of London, AXA Art, Travelers Insurance Company to name a few players.  The Art Insurance company will include Transit by Sea, Air & Land. Coverage is usually extended to a Storage facility or the final destination.

To have these items insured, the underwriters in most cases will require a condition report if in long-term storage or if newly purchased, a bill of sale or appraisal.
Visit ArtinsuranceNow.com to complete the Collectors application to cover your prehistoric, Modern and contemporary art.

William

art insuranceart insurance  art insurance

 

APPLICATIONS:

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

What is Conversion exclusion in a fine art, Antique, Jewelry policy

The Story;

A collector or Museum consigns a work to a dealer to sell.  The dealer does his job and sells the work, but does not pay the Collector or Museum.  This is now considered a loss of property and if your current policy does not address this type of loss you may not have coverage.

Now if the consignment date has expired and the dealer is not willing to return the work, in many incidences this would be classified as theft and be covered by your fine arts policy.

For more information on Conversion Exclusion call us at 1.800.921.1008, visit our website at www.ArtInsuranceNow.com or fill out one of the applications below for a fast and easy quote.

APPLICATIONS:

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

Collectors Insurance

Bid Bonds

We represent Insurance Companies to make it easy for you to protect the things you collect.

Homeowners insurance alone does not provide enough coverage for your clients’ treasured items. That’s why our collectibles program is the perfect complement to your standard personal lines products. It enables you to protect the full collector value of your collections in the event of a total loss.

Designed specifically for collectors, our all-risk policy not only protects against accidental breakage, hurricane, flood, earthquake, fire, and theft – it also protects the packaging and accessories of collectibles. Plus, our optional Collectors’ Choice coverage provides your clients who are actively growing, displaying, or occasionally using their collection with the added level of protection they need to fully enjoy their hobby.

We offer deductible options (including zero deductible), rate options and discounts, and multiple collections in the household can all be covered by the same policy. Appraisals are not required to obtain this valuable, stand-alone coverage.

We’ll consider all types of collections including*:

Advertising Memorabilia Die Cast Model Cars/Trucks Pottery & Collector Plates
Animation Art Dolls Prints (limited editions)
Automotive Memorabilia Figurines Quilts (antique/collectible)
Books (rare) Guns (pre and post WWII) Radios/Victrolas
Cameras (antique/collectible) Holiday Collectibles Sports Memorabilia
Carousel Animals Jukeboxes/Upright Arcade Games Stamps
Ceramics Military Memorabilia Teddy Bears
Clocks (antique/collectible) Miniatures & Doll Houses Toys & Action Figures
Crystal/Glass Model Trains & Layouts Trading Cards
Comic Books Movie Memorabilia Wine & Accessories
Coins Musical Instruments and much more! 

* Contact us regarding other unique collections at www.ArtInsuranceNow.com, or call 1.800.921.1008

art_signature

 

 

 

Protecting your Paintings

I have been issuing Fine Art Insurance policies for many collectors who recently purchased work for their collection. The prices range from $280.00 up to $500, I have been including the transit coverage from the gallery to the home.

I even wrote one from Italy to Washington, no deductible. It’s also important, to include the frame, under the description part of the policy. If this is not written in the schedule description, then only the work will be covered.

This is a little fine line, I just discovered. I am always watching out for the benefit of the collector, it’s all about properly insuring, knowing your exclusions, hedge your financial downside and most of all, enjoying the Art. www.artinsurancenow.com

AXA Art Insurance Highlights of Coverages

ain-axa
AXA distinguishes itself
as the only insurance company specializing exclusively in fine arts and collectibles. It employs 50 full-time art historians around the world and has an extensive network of art-world specialists including curators, appraisers, adjusters, conservators, tax attorneys and shipping agents specializing in the arts and collectibles. AXA serves all clients, from the first time collector to the most established collectors. The company is a co-founder of the international Art Loss Register.

 

AXA offers:

 • Broad, all-risk worldwide coverage.

• Large and small capacity insurance.

• Blanket location coverage.

• Automatic coverage on a newly acquired property of up to 25% of total policy limit within a 90-day reporting obligation.

• Claims processing.

 

Art Services:

• Evaluations that assess the current market values of clients’ collections.

• Loss prevention advice and disaster planning.

• Transportation, shipping, and handling consultation.

• Fine art collection schedules (inventory and values of all items in your collection).

• Curatorial and collection management services.

Call discuss your Insurance Needs; 800-921-1008

www.ArtInsuranceNow.com