Transit Insurance. Do you really need it?

As you would expect when using a service such as ours, every item is packed meticulously and carefully by our experienced technicians that know which specific materials to use for every one of your most precious items. Many of our clients therefore ask why transit insurance is needed when shipping fine art, antique furniture and other precious heirlooms and artefacts. With that in mind, we thought we would outline why insurance remains an important element to consider when transporting your works. Below, we cover some of our clients most frequently asked questions.

If I don’t have transit insurance in place, can I still ship works internationally?

Yes, legally you can still ship works without having insurance in place, however, we strongly advise against this. In the event of transporting works without insurance, liability will be restricted to standard carrier terms.

Will my existing cover be sufficient when transporting works internationally or locally?

Many of our clients often have insurance policies already in place for existing works in their collection. Also, it is always worth checking with your existing provider whether works will be covered in transit. However, if you have just bought a new piece, your existing cover may not include any new additions to your collection. We often find many international collectors purchasing from galleries overseas commission a condition report to insure their works upon collection, whether the insurance is provided by ourselves or their existing provider.

When placing my works into storage, do they require transit insurance?

Yes, all works placed into storage with Queen’s require insurance. As referenced above, this can either be provided by your current insurer or we can arrange for this through our insurance partners. We always recommend works are card packed or crated throughout their time in storage to provide the utmost protection. Our expert team can assist with both of these options.

What information do I need in order to get my works insured?

Generally, insuring your works is a relatively straightforward process. All you will need is the value of the work and we would advise having a condition report undertaken, this is something our on-site technicians in storage can provide.

If you have any questions about insuring your works or would like to enquire about a shipment, please email us at [email protected] and we’d be happy to help.