Insuring your collection anyone?

[pepi]

I've been collecting for what is now a long time -where has the time gone?- Stuff at my brothers' house in a steamer trunk..an entire closet full of stuff shelves full of old japanese vinyls. All this stuff really adds up!

Monetarily speaking, I've got a crapload money sitting on shelves and in boxes! Lots of folks have recommended I take out an insurance policy on my collection - I'm really thinking about it. Has anyone had experience with a good provider or know exactly what this policy is called or approximate costs etc. etc.

[AAAAA]

The main thing is proving to the insurance company.what you own.
Thats why you should photograph and list everything you own with description on condition and keep a CD or Ledger
in a safety deposit box.
5 years ago the city of Brewster flooded my office(still fighting) the insurance companies
refused to pay for the damages when they saw the prices of the stuff on ebay.
Always check your Home owners Or Business insurance policy on damages and what you have to do

[Wee67]

Some home insurance or renters' indurance policies can have a rider specifically to deal with collections. I have renters insurance and my collections was included for an incredibly small fee. (I did create an inventory and took pictures.)

[jds1911a1]

alot of toy sites have been advertising this company
Collectibles Insurance - Protecting Books, Stamps, Antiques and other Rare and Vintage collections in Baltimore, Maryland
which seems to be taking the same position as Grundy and Hagerty do for Collector cars

I just have a rider on my home insurance

keep the appraisal current and have the documentation you need (see what other said above

[jasonmego1277]

I have thought about it because I have sooooooo much crap. I just don't think I can afford the policy and the hobby. LOL. One or the other right now. I guess when the adding days stop, the policy days should begin.

[BOTZWANA]

In a steamer trunk? WHY do people have collections that they cannot display? If there is something I have but cannot admire, I sell it on Ebay.

[pepi]

I'm all about the Rotating exhibit idea. Just about to change my display case to mego and space 1999... has been Bullmark popy and Godzilla stuff for a good while now.

BUt I will admit...I may have too many things right now.

[oldboxer]

Insurance

The same company that insures my house also covers my basement collection. The guy who wrote up my policy walked downstairs in my house one day and DEMANDED that I videotape everything and then wrote up a policy covering an extra $20,000 on home contents at a very minimal charge. After he got started talking about it, it sounded like a great idea. I'm glad I did it.

[SpaceCrawler]

How do you guys inventory your stuff. Are there any programs that are preferred for this type of thing?

Sean

[oldboxer]

Ins

Most insurance people will have you do a video walkthrough of your home. You may want to give some short commentary on your items as you film. Burn a dvd copy for your agent to file and you keep one with a relative (NOT at your home, in case of fire). Then, negotiate the numbers (extra coverage vs extra charge on your policy) and wa-la! You're insured. It really is a decent idea if you have a collection of around $5 grand or more.

[Rallygirl]

I have an extra clause on our house insurance about my costume jewelry. It only costs a few extra bucks and in all honesty, some of my Eisenberg pieces are worth more than real diamonds.

I do need to clarify that I don't usually buy high end costume jewelry. It was given to me by an elderly, childless widow from church who knew that I would keep and cherish it. When I shop for myself, the tackier and the uglier the better. I am no threat to the "rhinestone ladies" at estate sales.

[toys2cool]

I've been meaning to get my stuff insured myself

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

^ Ja, me too.

[boynightwing]

In a steamer trunk? WHY do people have collections that they cannot display? If there is something I have but cannot admire, I sell it on Ebay.

I like to rotate stuff. Right now I'm not into GIJOE, so I put them away. When I get back in to them, I'll put them back out and put something else away.

On topic though, I too have been thinking about insurance. It's the inventory part that seems over whelming.

[toysrus]

I need to look into this.