Art shipments are often high-value, delicate, and unique in their packaging requirements. As a result, it’s often necessary to insure artwork for shipping. Art collectors, dealers, and artists all need to protect their art for transportation. In this article, we will explore the importance of insuring artwork for shipping and what you need to know to ensure your artwork is covered.
Why Insuring Your Artwork for Shipping is Important?
Fine art is often highly valuable, which is why it’s important to have insurance in case of any damage during shipping. Whether you’re dealing with art couriers or shipping it yourself, you need to ensure the artwork is protected by adequate insurance. It’s important to remember that even if the artwork is sufficiently packed, there’s always a risk of damage during transit. Art insurance can provide the necessary cover to protect your investment.
Transport companies, often known as art couriers, specialise in shipping fine art, but even with their expertise, accidents happen from time to time. insuring artwork for shipping, therefore, is of utmost importance.
How to Insure Artwork for Shipping?
When it comes to shipping fine art, it’s important to work with a reputable and experienced shipping company that has insurance coverage. However, it’s important to remember just because a courier company carries insurance, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will cover the value of the artwork.
Before shipping your artwork, review the terms and conditions of the courier company’s insurance policy. If necessary, enquire to see if there are any exclusions for the type of works you are shipping. It’s essential to play close attention to the policy’s inclusions, exclusions, and limits to ensure there is sufficient coverage. If there’s a gap between the insurance coverage and the artwork’s value, it’s often wise to purchase additional insurance to cover the remaining amount.
What to Avoid?
When it comes to insuring artwork for shipping, the following are some common mistakes to avoid:
Not taking enough time to review the terms and conditions of the courier company’s insurance policy.
Assuming the value of the artwork will be covered by the shipping company’s policy
Packing the artwork poorly, leading to claims being refused due to inadequate packaging.
Not being prepared to provide sufficient documentation to support the artwork’s value.
Failing to declare known risks, such as noticeable defects in the artwork, or to communicate any special handling instructions to the courier company.
Conclusion
insuring artwork for shipping is a critical aspect of protecting your investment. Whether it’s an artist shipping their work to a client, or a gallery shipping valuable pieces to an exhibition, a lot can go wrong during transit. Insufficient packing, handling, or vehicle issues often lead to damage or even loss of artwork. Insuring your artwork for shipment involves reading and understanding your courier company’s policies, taking extra steps to secure packaging, and making sure to declare any risks or instructions to the carrier. In conclusion, contacting art couriers to discuss insurance policies and thoroughly packing your art are essential to minimize risk when sending art. With careful planning, you can protect your artwork, and ensure you are adequately covered if anything happens during transportation.