The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Just wondering how you insure your collections? My collection extends past just phonographs and into the world of Edisonia, but in general this stuff needs more than homeowners insurance (in fact my collection is on display at my business).

I have a quote from American Collector Insurance (http://americancollectors.com/) but have no references for them that I can find as to how they handle things if there should be a claim.

Years ago Chub was the big name that advertised on Antiques Roadshow but they seem to have gotten out of the business of insuring antiques.

Who do you use?

I would recommend collectinsure.com. They require a minimum of paperwork and the cost (around $500 per year for $100K of insurance) is pretty reasonable. I know of at least one friend who used them, filed a claim, and was promptly paid in full within a fairly short time.

I also use Collectors Insurance Services aka collectinsure.com.

I have full value of the collection insured for fire or flood or earthquake and $60,000 insurance on theft. They insure all my items whether they are at my home or my business as well as when I am transporting them to and from shows via auto. They even cover loss during the shows.

They also insure items that I am shipping (either as a buyer or as a seller) so long as I use FedEx or DHL with direct signature required. They will not insure packages sent by UPS or USPS.

I got my coverage thru my agent who also does our home, auto, and collector car policies.

Mark

Thanks guys, I spoke with collectors insurance today. They were great and I am in the application process now.

When I pay my renters insurance tomorrow I'll talk to my insurance agent about the Collector's Insurance and see what he thinks.edisonplayer

Just remember that when you declare a value on your insurance policy, it is recorded in perpetuity for whatever future use...

Thanks to CMShaprio for posting this question. Had heard my home owners policy likely would not cover my collection.

My question to CurtA (and anyone else) is: What are the pros and cons of your statement where the the value you specify will last last forever?

I talked to my Nationwide insurance agent about the collectinsure. We'll have to look into that.I just have regular renters insurance.edisonplayer