Insuring Art during Shipping and Exhibition

[Michele Rushworth]

I've had a policy for a few years that I got through Flather and Perkins (rep: Ann Phenix, 800-422-8889, email [email protected]) who I gather do a lot of policies for artists.

They arranged for a commercial policy through The Hartford that covers a number of different things for my art business. Among them, it insures my work in transit and when it's on display outside of my studio. I don't know if the premiums and deductibles will be to your liking but they probably have a number of different options that would be worth checking out.

[Stanka Kordic]

I also have a commercial policy that sounds very similar to Michele's, covering studio, work within and in transit, and any pieces on display in galleries or exhibitions. It's handy when I need to ship paintings since it covers what Fedex will not (without paying extra) I bought it from a local agent that handles commercial insurance. As Michele also said, you can design it to fit your needs.

[Richard Monro]

Garth,
Make sure that the policy covers works you no longer own but have on loan for exhibition purposes. It could be a sticking point but you need to have that coverage as well.

[Michele Rushworth]

Richard makes an excellent point. Since you no longer own this painting, can you even get insurance on it or would its owner have to insure it?