Category Archives: Transit

Guide to packing art & antiques like a pro

Art and antiques are an amazing investment and a beautiful part of your home. However, when it comes to relocating them to another home or gallery, people are faced with the problem of packing. Most people make the mistake of packing these items in the same way as the other things in their homes. This way, they increase the risk of damaging valuable items and therefore losing their favorite objects. So, to make sure your valuable belongings are safe during transport, learn to pack them properly. Here’s a simple guide to packing art and antiques like a pro – the easy way.

Give yourself enough time

The biggest mistake you can make when packing art and antiques is to do it in a rush. We may indeed be faced with deadlines we have to meet and they require speed and efficiency, but these fragile and valuable items require patience. Therefore, try to give yourself enough time to pack everything properly. A few extra steps and secure packing techniques will ensure that your items are safe during transport and you don’t damage them while packing.

Make an inventory list

Another pro tip is to know exactly what you’re moving – especially when packing antiques and other valuables. This might seem like an extra step that you don’t need, but it has proved to be very useful for many. Therefore, if you’re packing more than one item, or moving the entire house or a gallery, make sure you write down all the items you’re packing. To make things easier – you can use an app to make your inventory list.

Know the value of your items

 When moving art and antiques, it’s necessary to know the worth of the art pieces you have. Make sure you get an appraisal from a professional and be ready if anything happens to the items during transport.

Before packing art and antiques, inform on the number and worth of your items – and obtain the necessary insurance.

Prepare all the tools and supplies

To pack fragile items, make sure you’re ready to start the process – especially if there are a lot of them. It’s necessary to get all the supplies you’ll need to pack everything safely, so once you start packing, you don’t need to take a break and go to the store, but can finish everything in one take. To start packing art and antiques like a pro, you’ll need:

  • moving boxes – if you’re not buying new boxes but getting used ones, make sure you check if they are in good condition.
  • packing paper – get a lot of it, to protect the items properly.
  • tape – use heavy-duty tape, to ensure none of the boxes open during transport.
  • corner protectors – these are very useful when packing paintings, fragile frames, and mirrors.
  • a microfiber cloth – use this to clean the items before you wrap them, and make sure the wrapping will stay tight on the item.
  • foam/stretch wrap, blankets, bubble wrap – use it to wrap the items and keep them clean and safe from vibrations and tumbling.
  • furniture pads – depending on the sort of items you’re moving, obtain furniture pads of appropriate sizes.
  • markers – make sure you label every box properly. Write the contents of it, but also mark the box with the word ‘fragile’.
Fragile items take time to pack – remember that when packing art and antiques for a move.

In case you can’t get all the supplies, or don’t know how to use them properly, contacting a pro is the safest thing you can do. Don’t make this mistake if you need to relocate your collection that is valuable and irreplaceable. The right supplies combined with an expert packing technique is the key to a safe relocation of valuable art pieces and antiques.

Obtain art insurance

To ensure your items are properly covered in case of damage or loss, getting appropriate insurance is a necessary step. Whether you’re a professional or moving a private art collection, fine art insurance from a reliable broker will give you peace of mind.

Art Insurance Now Gallery

Packing fragile art and antiques – all the steps

When the time comes for packing art and antiques, you shouldn’t be tricked by the age of certain items. Even though something is very old and has survived for many years, it doesn’t mean it’s strong as before.  Antique items are very fragile, and investing time and effort in protecting them during transport will surely pay off. These are the steps that will protect most of your fragile items:

  1. clean the items – use a cloth to carefully wipe the item so the layers of protection can adhere properly.
  2. wrap the item with a protective wrap – even though this step can’t protect the item from breaking, it can surely keep it clean, and free from scratches.
  3. wrap the item with a blanket, a sheet of plastic bubbles, or foam – these will minimize the vibrations during the transport.
  4. put the item in a protective shell – if you don’t have the original packaging, use a sturdy moving box, or ideally a wooden crate. This final step will give the strongest protection from tumbling and other sudden movements.
  5. minimize the risk of damage by loading the fragile items last, and getting them out of the vehicle first.

Should you disassemble antique furniture?

When it comes to moving furniture, it’s often much better to move it in separate pieces. However, with antiques, that’s not the case. As we mentioned, old items have survived for a long time, but they are very fragile and every sudden movement or strong pressure is extremely risky. Therefore, invest in additional packing material, or simply hire a moving professional to help you out. Make sure to choose the safest option, since antique pieces are irreplaceable and should be well-protected during transport.

The Importance of Art Transit & Insurance

Art collectors, museums, galleries, artists, dealers, and auctioneers have one interest in common – The love, and preservation of art. The latter is what proper art insurance is for. A knowledgeable broker will know how to meet your requirements and make sure that your valuable possessions are insured against unforeseen damage and loss.

Risk management in the world of art

Knowing the perils of owning art and how damage can be prevented is crucial for risk management in the art world. In other words, you will not know how to protect your valuable art if you are unaware of the risks. That’s why ArtInsuranceNow.com is here to help clients choose the right type of insurance tailored to their situation. 

Why should an artist or collector have to be familiar with insurance terminology in order to choose proper coverage, when they have a team that is at their service who will recommend coverage based upon their unique situation? There is another necessary step to set up a solid risk management framework, and that is hiring experienced art movers to transport your art. According to top art insurance carriers, most accidents involving art occur during transport making up to 60% of insurance claims. For mitigation of this risk, you will require qualified art movers to handle conveyance.

Do you know the true value of your art collection?

Even though you know the sentimental value of your art piece or collection, you will probably not be able to determine its market value until you get it properly appraised. Don’t have an appraisal? we can still write a policy but at the time of loss, you must prove the value. ArtInsuranceNow.com can present accurate coverage that is suited to you. This provides cost-effective, comprehensive protection. It is essential to have a policy that covers damage and loss on or off-premises, during transport, in storage, and while the art is being exhibited or auctioned.

Accidents Happen

The true importance of having proper art insurance can be seen when an unfortunate event occurs. The smart thing to do is to think ahead and get the stellar coverage and exceptional service ArtInsuranceNow.com offers. There are many perils that your art can be exposed to, some examples are:

Theft

Art trafficking is one of the most prosperous criminal acts. It has been so from ancient times and unfortunately, it still is. Having proper art insurance cannot replace what has been lost but it will help you recover your investment.

Damage

All types of art can be precious, but some are much more delicate than others. You can never be too careful when protecting your valuables. Misfortune happens and we rarely see it coming. Art pieces can be completely destroyed or get ruined and lose all value in many ways, here are just a few:

  • Floods,
  • Fires,
  • Natural disasters
  • Fraud
  • Heist
  • Inadequate handling

Transit

Most damage to art happens in transit. Yes, movers can destroy your precious items. Whether it is due to incompetence or simply by accident, movers can damage or destroy the items you care so much about. So, be careful when hiring someone to relocate your valuable pieces of art. A good practice is to have a list of questions to ask before making a final decision about who will perform your relocation. Ask your friends for recommendations and call at least three companies to see what they offer. You can even contact the nearest gallery or museum and ask them for advice.

Transportation of fine-art pieces is the riskiest part of the relocation, but your movers should also be careful when packing and unpacking. Preparing art for relocation is a delicate task and it should never be done under pressure. That is why you should never try to self-transport your valuable items. Hiring fine art movers might seem expensive, but can you really put a price tag on peace of mind? It only takes one mistake to ruin an important work of art.

Ask your movers to describe the entire moving process to you. Will they come and see your art pieces before the relocation date so that they can make a plan? What kind of materials are they planning on using? Is the moving truck temperature controlled? Feel free to ask whatever comes to mind. After all, it is your art collection and you have the right to know.

Having the combination of proper art insurance along with qualified art movers means that you can rest assured that your art is covered for unforeseen circumstances and is in good hands when being transported. Risk management is the best investment you can make, for an extensive collection or just the precious piece of art you inherited from a relative.

Artwork in Transit; Managing the Risks

The top risks art collectors might face surprisingly doesn’t include theft. In fact, its art that’s on the move that poses the biggest risk. A large proportion of art claims are derived from transit losses. Private collectors enjoy lending, particularly as exhibitions in major institutions can increase value, that’s all very well until something goes wrong.

The movement of art is massive, now art is transported coast to coast, internationally or just to your winter home or local Gallery. When handling artwork, packing for transportation is a top concern for insurance carriers.

Many policies list as a condition, professional packing, meaning it must be packed as someone in the industry would pack it, safe, secure and protective from breaking if possible.

If you use a transportation service, either a fine art mover, a local mover, or common carrier, you must verify if they have or offer Insurance, what are their limits, conditions and the cost of the coverage. Insurance carriers differ and may have restrictions or limitations while your valuables are on the road, on a ship, or in air transit. The most common, efficient and safe way of moving art over long distances, domestically or internationally is by air transport, but it is very common to move the work yourself, so make sure your policy covers self-conveyance.

Some art transporting choices such as those offered by, United Parcel Service (UPS), DHL, Federal Express (FedEx), and other private art handling companies or commercial air freight carriers have limitations on coverages, territory, and deductibles. Keep in mind that while these are services used for fragile and non-fragile fine art, things happen within their control and outside of their control. Looking to your own insurance policy for protection is the right way to limit your financial losses and the quickest way to have the claim settled.

Artists, art dealers, and institutions use these Art transport services regularly, but Insurance, in particular, is the gray area in which most misunderstandings occur. Pay close attention to the bill of lading and understanding the fine print. The standard form limits the exposure of a claim on the art to weight, not value.

Our policies are written either as a schedule or market value less a percentage. Either way, your art will be protected while in transport. Caution, it’s important when securing transit art insurance to add extra days of transport for the unknown delays. Also note the declared value placed in customs forms or the bill of Lading is usually not used when settling a claim but look for wording which would specify to the contrary.

According to FedEx, “shipments (packages or freight) containing all or part of the following items are limited to a maximum declared value of $500: Artwork, including any work created or developed by the application of skill, taste or creative talent for sale, display or collection.

This includes, but is not limited to, items (and their parts) such as paintings, drawings, vases, tapestries, limited-edition prints, fine art, statuary, sculpture, collectors’ items, customized or personalized musical instruments, Film, photographic images, including photographic negatives, photographic chromes and photographic slides.

Any commodity that by its inherent nature is particularly susceptible to damage, or the market value of which is particularly variable or difficult to ascertain.”

According to UPS, articles of “unusual value” are prohibited from being offered for shipment. This definition explicitly includes “works of art.” As the November New York-based auctions ended and Art Basel Miami Beach began, for collectors buying and selling art no doubt demanded lots of their attention, they also should be thinking about keeping their art safe and properly insured as it moves between locations.

With the expansion of the global art market, risks increase. To discover a larger number of buyers, auction houses and art dealers often display art at multiple locations, including a growing number of art fairs around the world like Art Basel. The high volume of art exchanging hands increases the risk of improper handling and accidental damage and therefore increases the number of fine art insurance claims.

You should know where your art will be stored while in the possession of art dealers or auction houses. This is critical. For example, many consigned works were stored in art gallery basements in Chelsea during Hurricane Sandy, leaving many damaged. Art galleries may also store artwork at an off-site storage facility. Being notified before your piece is moved from one location to another is also a precaution and obtaining confirmation on how it will be packed and transported will help to ensure a smooth consignment process.

Don’t presume that the auction house, gallery owner, art dealer, or shipping company with possession of your artwork has insurance for its loss, theft or damage. It’s very important to have your own fine art policy. Collectors should always consult with an insurance agent. The agent can tailor a policy to a specific collector and discover any special provisions in the collector’s fine art policy.
No matter what risks they face, creating an insurance policy for an art collector requires one-on-one consultation since every art collection is unique, no two collectors are alike and no two collections are alike.

Collectors and their advisers would be wise to work with knowledgeable insurance brokers like Bernard Fleischer & Sons Inc.  that can guide you in obtaining the right fine art insurance for your unique requirements. For more info visit www.artinsurancenow.com and live chat with us or call us at 800.921.1008

Art Exhibition Insurance – The Details

As representatives of the top Insurance carriers that insure exhibitions locally, in multi-states and internationally, we know coverages.

Each company has their own distinct forms to insure the unique exposures related to exhibitions. Coverages while in transit, at the exhibition venue, and in storage vary by company.

Below are some highlighted coverages to consider when placing insurance for an exhibition, how to protect the lenders, and what is the right valuation method.

 

About Exhibition Coverage

Most Art Insurance policies not only insure the work on exhibition, but also the didactic and ancillary materials such as vitrines, hardware, technology, and supportive structures.

A typical Policy I use with my insureds exhibition policy includes:

  • Agreed Value: We usually require a schedule prior to binding, but different terms can be negotiated.
  • Worldwide coverage for transit: is important when gathering works from overseas collectors.
  • Named Location: some policy covers only named location and excludes transit
  • Scheduled or Blanket: 
    • The schedule:  Establishes the price of the work to be insured.
    • Blanket: policy usually has a per item cap along with the onus of proof of value is on the insured.
  •  Loss Payee Certificates: These are issued if a lender requires proof of coverage and insures the check will be made to them in case of a loss.

 

  • Additional Important Exhibition Coverages one should verify if covered:
    • Packing crates, catalogs, and brochures included
    • Nail to Nail coverage:Coverage from point of pick up until returned.
    • Goods in transit
    • Art in storage in-between transit

 

  • Broad, all-risk coverage
  • Blanket limits on propertyin your care, custody, and control at scheduled locations and any other unnamed locations. Beware of sub-limits.
  • Domestic and international transit: To/from list of Exhibition Locations
  • No coinsurance clause penalty
  • Valuation clauses: important to know how a loss will be settled. Our policies are designed for the art industry
  • Coverage for jointly-ownedworks of art should be disclosed and understood how a loss will be paid in those instances.
  • Special clauses for “loss buy back” or “pairs and sets”
  • Relaxed appraisal requirements with most companies
  • Based on Consignment value established at time of pick up.

 

About Exhibition Exclusions and Conditions:

These policy forms usually include the standard and not so standard Exhibition polices.

Wear and tear, moth, vermin, and insects.

Damage resulting from any repair, restoration, or retouching process.

Nuclear, radiation, biological or chemical contamination.

War, invasion, an act of foreign enemies, hostilities, military or usurped power.

Confiscated, damaged or destroyed by or order of any government or public or local authority, except if taken at the time of a fire to prevent it’s spread.

In Conclusion: Art insurance has many variables and sections which can be negotiated, if you are a knowledgeable Art Insurance broker.

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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Is Art insured in the belly of a Plane

Yes, items can be checked into luggage and still be covered, but this is not the best way to ensure coverage under this policy because you will be violating the packing warranty. 

The packing warranty is broad enough that it allows the Insured to pack the items, but still must be packed “utilizing procedures and materials to protect the Covered Property.” 

What does this mean?  It means you can pack a wood carved 12” dish into your luggage, but you cannot insure a Tiffany lamp wrapped in a sweatshirt.

If the item is of art or cultural importance, the country of origin may seize the property.  This policy does not cover any Governmental Action.

Fill out a collectors application for a quote today.