Fine Art Insurance
We help you find insurance for art pieces of all shapes and sizes
Why choose Howden for Fine Arts Insurance?
Our clients mean more to us than just a policy number. We’re here to build a relationship and earn their trust – so we assign each and every one a qualified insurance professional to act as their dedicated point of contact.
Providing advice is at the heart of everything we do, so we always offer clear, sensible, and independent advice about what our clients should insure and how. So, if they ever need to claim, they can be confident in their success.
We work directly with specialist collectible and fine arts insurance providers, so that we can provide tailorable policies to fit our clients’ unique and personal circumstances.
Benefits of working with us:
- Expertise and advice for now and the future
- Dedicated, professionally qualified team of experts
- Each year over 95 per cent of our clients choose to stay with us
- Rated “Excellent” on Trustpilot
- A Private Client legacy which dates back to 1948
What is Fine Art Insurance?
Whether you have a large art collection or just a few pieces, you should check it has the correct insurance cover.
Fine arts insurance is a specialised type of insurance coverage designed to protect valuable works of art, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, antiques, rare books, and other valuable collectible items.
It’s not always necessary to have a bespoke art insurance policy, but it’s important that you understand whether your standard home policy provides you with the cover you need to fully protect your art collection. You can expect a specialist fine art insurance to typically give you the following enhanced cover:
Extended replacement cost – following a valuation, up to three years’ cover at 150% of the valuation figure.
New acquisitions cover – covering you for up to 60 days after purchase in case you forget to tell your insurer.
Restoration cover – following a claim for partial damage, insurers will pay to restore the item plus its loss in market value given the restoration.
Defective title – if it transpires that a piece of artwork is not rightfully yours, insurers may pay you the value of the item, as well your defence legal fees.
Death of the artist – if you’ve had an item valued, the artist dies and then you have to claim, insurers will pay an additional percentage of value, recognising that it’s now worth more.
Whether you have a large art collection or just a few pieces, you should check it has the correct insurance cover. You can do this by speaking to our specialist team, who can discuss with you your fine art insurance requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How much should my art be insured for?
You should insure your collection for its replacement cost. Speak to a professional valuer and request a valuation for insurance purposes. Aston Lark works closely with a number of valuers including Doerr Valuations and the Chester Valuation Company.
Is my art covered under the contents section of my home insurance policy?
The answer depends on your policy. Some home insurance policies cover up to a set amount or percentage of your contents figure. Other policies exclude all art and antiques from the definition of contents.
Why is it better to insure my collection as art and not contents?
Your contents policy may have a low single article limit. If you have three pieces valued at £5,000 each and there is a £1,500 contents single article limit, in the event of a claim you might only receive £4,500 of your £15,000 loss.
You may also get a better level of cover under the art & antiques section of your policy.
If nothing in my collection is valued at more than the single article limit, do I still have to tell my insurer?
This is a common misconception. If an item is below the single article limit, it doesn’t need to be specified, but insurers still need to know the total. You can find more advice here.
Is my art covered in transit?
It depends on your insurance policy. If you’re planning to move your artwork then contact your insurer.
Why should I use a broker for my art insurance?
Aston Lark are specialists in finding the right insurance solution for art collections. We understand the value of a good policy and will help you protect your investment. Here's how.