Protecting Fine Art, Collectibles in California

The Golden State, known for its cultural diversity and creative industries, is a hotspot for fine art and collectibles and boasts a wealth of valuable collections among individual collectors. Protecting these assets in the state requires specialized insurance solutions considering earthquake and wildfire risks.

Distinguished Offers New Capacity, Appetite in California

The entry of Distinguished’s Fine Art and Collectibles program into California represents a significant opportunity for collectors in the state. Unlike competitors retreating from the market due to aggregation risks, our Fine Art and Collectibles insurance program brings fresh capacity and a willingness to underwrite policies tailored to California’s unique challenges. Our program provides all-risk worldwide coverage for direct physical damage like fire and theft of personal collections of any size. We cover everything from fine art (paintings and sculptures) to silver, porcelain, glassware, trading cards, video games, sneaker collections, couture, comic books, and more.

Additionally, California’s homeowners insurance market has become quite challenging, with significant collections absorbing much of those policies’ capacity. Many carriers encourage clients to insure their collections with specific Fine Art and Collectibles policies.

Optional Earthquake Coverage Is Available

Earthquake coverage, often excluded or limited by other insurers, is a standout feature of Distinguished’s Fine Art and Collectibles program. Coverage is offered as an optional add-on, with rates determined by sophisticated modeling that considers location, fragility of items, value of collectibles, storage, deductibles, and other factors.

Wildfire coverage is included under our Fine Art and Collectibles program based on underwriting. Distinguished takes a holistic underwriting approach, looking at various data sources and considering the client’s mitigation efforts, such as brush clearance, sprinkler systems, and evacuation plans for high-value items. This flexibility ensures that collectors in wildfire-prone areas, such as Beverly Hills and Malibu, are not automatically ineligible for coverage.

Our Fine Art and Collectibles program offers seamless worldwide protection for collectors with secondary homes. Whether their collections are displayed in a Beverly Hills estate, a San Francisco townhouse, or a Paris apartment, the policy provides blanket coverage without requiring location-based declarations. This is particularly beneficial for California collectors, many of whom maintain properties within and outside the state.

Capacity Up to $125 Million Available

Our capacity to insure collections up to $125 million makes us ideal for California’s high-value collectors. Our program’s Fine Art and Collectibles insurance expertise ensures comprehensive protection, giving collectors confidence that their valuables are safeguarded against California’s unique risks.

Start Insuring Your Clients in California with Us, Sign Up Today

Registering your agency with us is the first step in getting a quote for your client. Once your registration is complete, you can fill out and submit applications for your clients through our online portal. The application will require details such as:

• Security information
• Property covered
• Loss history

We also accept ACORD applications accompanied by a Distinguished supplemental form. In some cases, we may request additional information to better understand your client’s needs, such as a copy of a dealer’s consignment agreement or a detailed description of the collection.

If you have any questions about our Fine Art and Collectibles insurance program or the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact us directly at fineartandcollectibles@distinguished.com or visit our Fine Art and Collectibles insurance product page for more information.

About Distinguished Programs

Distinguished Programs is a leading national insurance Program Manager providing specialized insurance programs to brokers and agents with specific expertise in Fine Art and Collectibles, Environmental and Construction Professional, Executive Lines, Inland Marine, Real Estate, Community Associations, Surety, Hotels, and Restaurants. Property and Liability products are distributed through a national network of agents and brokers. Serving the same core markets and partnering with the most stable and reputable carriers, Distinguished’s high-limit Umbrella programs remain the clear choice in its area of specialty for superior coverage, competitive pricing, and attentive service. Through thoughtful innovation, stemming back to 1995, Distinguished Programs fosters growth and opportunities for its brokers, carriers, and employees.

View a full list of our programs and submit business with Distinguished.

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