Below is a partial list of qualifying collectibles* and manufacturers. All qualifying collections in your household may be covered on the same policy. If your collection doesn't appear on this list, please call American Collectors Insurance at 800-360-2277 to speak with a licensed product specialist.
*Coverage for coins, paper collectibles (including postage stamps) and post WWII guns not available in all states.
Why does my collection need special protection? |
If it's worth collecting, it's worth protecting! An agreed value collectibles policy insures your collectibles for their market value** at the time the policy is purchased. Collector value is based on the condition and rarity of the individual items, as well as any special features. With this coverage, should your collection be stolen or damaged, you are guaranteed the full insured amount, less any applicable deductible. If the property isn't new, then the agreed value is based on established industry guides. In contrast, if your collection is insured with a standard personal property policy and it is stolen or damaged, you would not receive collector value, but rather the replacement cost, minus depreciation. For example, if your Lionel model train collection was insured for an agreed value of $30,000 and it was destroyed in a house fire, you'd get $30,000 (minus a deductible, if you selected one) from your collectibles policy. If you insured the same property for just its actual cash value (i.e., on a homeowners policy), payment would be significantly less (replacement cost minus depreciation) and you would pay a higher deductible (most likely $500 or more). |
How do I determine what my collection is worth? |
Appraisal is not typically required - just a description & photo of any item in your collection that currently exceeds $2000 in value. If we have a question about the value of your items, we may contact you. We also rely on the expertise of our underwriters and established collector pricing resources to reach a value that is agreeable. |
What's the difference between collectible insurance and valuable personal property insurance? |
Valuable Personal Property (VPP) insurance covers jewelry, furs, fine art and other specific valuable items in the household (such as cameras and musical instruments). There is NO specific coverage for Collectibles. VPP will NOT cover accidental breakage, nor will it cover losses due to certain natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes. A collectibles insurance policy will cover ALL qualifying collections in the household. Broad coverage includes damage caused by accidental breakage, fire, flood, theft, hurricane, earthquake and more. |
How do I make a claim? |
If your property is stolen or damage is done to your collection, call us at 800-360-2277 or log on to https://americancollectors.com. For claims submitted online, a claims representative will contact you within 48 hours. ** Total loss adjustments for collections of stamps and coins are based on fair market value. Total loss adjustments on wine collections are based on replacement cost or the amount shown on the declarations page, whichever is less. |