Fact: Yes, you may and should ensure your antiques and collectibles.
According to Dr. Thelma Hinson, Extension Family Resource Management Specialist at N.C State University, one does not have to be a billionaire to require special insurance. One can ensure against unfavourable publicity, lost contact lenses, multiple births, hang glider liability, snow, wind, temperature, event cancellation, even collectibles or antiques.
Rare, unique, and antique pieces may, perhaps be, one of your most prized assets. These not only bring with them special memories, as well as exceptional emotional returns, but may generate valuable monetary profits as well. As these prime pieces equate to more than just momentary joys and monetary returns, you really need to protect these valuables from any unfortunate incidents. Securing an insurance policy for these prized possessions.
Insure Your Antiques and Collectibles
It may sound strange to have your antiques and collectibles to go with insurance. Most people are aware of home and property, health, as well as car insurance, but an insurance for antiques and collectibles may sound to be a little bit odd. Today, however, there are different plans that cover different types of situations as well as assets, including antique pieces and valuable collectibles. Mundane, exotic, and bizarre—all these are now accepted by the world’s insurer. There are several types of insurance coverage to fit any customized need. Thus, prized possessions, such as pieces of jewellery, antiques, metals, and whatever you can think of may be extended coverage depending on the assessed value of the item. Of course, as far as the payer can and is willing to cover the calculated risk through the payment of the insurer’s estimated premium.
One particular insurer, Lloyd’s of London specialises in unusual risks and has insured a number of unusual things over the years. Some of them are as follows:
- Charles Lindbergh and his single-seat, single-engine monoplane Spirit of St Louis for $18,000 on its non-stop flight from the USA to Europe.
- 1920s Silent film comedian Ben Turpin famously bought a $25,000 insurance policy with Lloyd’s, payable if his trademark crossed eyes ever uncrossed.
- Marlene Dietrich insured her wonderful voice for $1m and years later, Bruce Springsteen insured his for £3.5m;
- 1940s actress, dancer and pin-up girl Betty Grable insured her stupendous pins for $1,000,000 (hence the phrase ‘million-dollar legs
- Ugly Betty star America Ferrera’s actually very beautiful smile (once her character’s braces are removed) was insured for $10m. In space, Lloyd’s insures satellites – for physical damage, business interruption and even third party liability the first and only insurers of Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic private spaceship.
- Forty members of a Derbyshire Whiskers Club insured their beards against fire and theft.
- The Taylor-Burton diamond.
And the list goes on.
Insurance may be a rather multifaceted platform. However, the fundamental thing you need to understand about it is just simple as well as practical. Basically, an insurance policy is a financial tool intended to manage your risks and protect you from losses due to unforeseen events that may affect your valuable assets. It recompense the insurer for bearing the risk of a pay-out in any instance that the agreement provided in the insurance coverage is required.
At present, most life insurance as well as property, and other types of insurance policies have rates that are decided by processors that could be completed even without much human involvement. Try checking out an online insurance provider and you will see a notification somewhere on the company’s website where you are invited to request for a quote, even perhaps sending an application online or right where you are. However, in instances when special factors need to be determined or addressed, the application would be forwarded to an agent who will review the application and guide the would-be policy holder throughout the process.
As different item may require different protection, or may be subjected to different risks, they need a specialized insurance coverage to provide: coverage for breakage, lost or misplaced item, and other considerations.
There are a number of ways you can keep your antiques or collectibles from being damaged, lost, or stolen. However, securing these valuables through methods that may later create uncertainties, will provide you with more reasons to have your prized possession be taken care of by trusted and legitimate insurer. In that case, the responsibility of ensuring that the valuables, such as your antiques, would still be granted the price it deserves should any untoward incident happens.
There are a couple of ways to secure coverage for your antique collection and collectibles. These are through either a homeowners’ insurance rider or a collectible insurance. To determine the better option for your valuables, consider how these policies work as well as what makes them unique from the other.
How to Insure Your Antique Collection
HOMEOWNERS’ INSURANCE RIDER
Homeowners’ insurance usually does not cover antiques. Nonetheless, they may provide additional benefits for your valuable pieces through a rider. A rider is an added feature that extends the coverage of your policy to include provision for insurance for your other prized belongings like your antiques and collectibles.
If you have a considerably small collection, you may consider having a homeowner’s insurance rider, as you will need to enlist each of the item you need to be covered by the policy.
Taking the homeowners’ insurance rider route is advisable for individuals who have small collections, because in most cases, the insurance company will require you to list each item that you want to be covered.
If you have a rather huge collection, you might consider a collectible insurance instead, as coverage from a homeowners’ rider can be limited and may not also be able to cover other probable causes of loss or damage.
COLLECTIBLE INSURANCE
Collectible insurance, on the other hand, is an insurance policy that is specifically created to protect antiques as well as other collectible items that are normally not covered under homeowners’ insurance. This type of insurance policy, has more flexible features. It also covers a wider range of needs compared to a homeowners’ rider.
Whatever you think that would best suit your needs, you should remember to always consult trained financial advisors who can provide you will the appropriate knowledge in securing your valuables.
As there would be a number of insurance companies, it is an advantage to consider the pricing each company provides. A quick search online will also provide you with comparisons.
Like all other valuables, your antiques and collectibles may increase value as the years go by. As a collector, it gives you not just emotional satisfaction, but may also serve as a financial source should there be a need in the future. As such, ensuring that your valuables are provided the insurance coverage they may need will definitely give you the peace of mind not just today, but for the years to come.
Img c/o Pixabay.