MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Tips for insuring your family art collection

By

As more households begin to appreciate the value of art as an alternative form of investment, getting to grips with art insurance should form an integral part of a collection strategy.

Elizabeth Mountjoy, Private Wealth Manager at FNB Insurance Brokers, says art is a unique item to insure as it is irreplaceable and appreciates in value. Although art investment was previously limited to individuals wanting to secure their family heirlooms, it has since moved to include individuals and corporates looking to increase their wealth.

“This is due to the immense effort and contribution of the arts and culture industry, as well as platforms such as the FNB Joburg and RMB Turbine Art Fairs, to celebrate talent, while raising awareness and bringing art to a broader market of consumers and corporates,” adds Mountjoy.

She unpacks important factors that families and individuals should consider when insuring art:

  • Defective Title Insurance – this form of insurance protects the buyer when a painting must be surrendered back due to the seller not having a legal right to sell it. For example, if the painting was stolen or looted, amongst other factors.
  • Property insurance – covers you for standard insurance perils such as fire, theft and accidental damage.
  • Cover to compensate for loss in value, following the restoration of the piece due to a claim (replacement cost).
  • Transit cover – this protects you as you move the art from place of purchase to the place of residence.
  • Coverage for your art whilst in museums or Art Fairs.

Ms. Mountjoy says, most art insurance claims relate to fire, water or accidental damage, however theft is a reality and the chances of art being recovered are less than 10%. It is, therefore, essential to choose the right form of insurance that can attend to your claim by providing services such as art restoration.

Moreover, having an extensive art collection requires that a broker places it with the right insurance company that understands art and the pieces requiring insurance. They will be able to provide advice on the best options to ensure full coverage always.

“Before obtaining cover for your art collection ensure you have all the valid documentation such as receipts, photos and the record of ownership, known as provenance, if the piece has had many owners.

Art appreciates in value and requires valuations to be updated at least once a year. Some insurance companies offer this service to ensure that pieces are appraised correctly,” concludes Mountjoy.

The following two tabs change content below.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Flickr profileMy Pinterest profile

Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.