Insurance

[xelAlvis]

Hi - what is everyone's take on insurance? I am shipping some artwork to a show I will not be attending - to the western states horse expo. All sculpture will be on stands and there will be thousands of people attending the show and a couple of expo people watching the artwork. The expo has a blanket insurance policy - my question is specifically, would it be wise to supplement their policy with a personal policy of some sort?

Generally, what companies does everyone use that accounts for any situation insuring your sculpture? - like if its at a gallery? at a show? outside public display for a loan to a city for a couple of years?

In the U.S. - what companies insure for these situations?

Does anyone have any experience with claims being paid? I know an artist who had her sculpture at a gallery that closed and her art just "disappeared" (stolen)...what if someone is hurt by a sculpture falling on them? (Liability).

If anyone knows a resource that is a good place to start researching - that would help as well.
Thanks!

[Chris_Johns]

Almost certainly the best bet will be to go to an insurer which specialises in providing cover for artists. Reputable professional bodies will often have deals going with insurers who should be able to provide you with cover to meet your specific requirements.

As with all insurance it's always worth shopping around to get the best deal and always read the details of the policy to be sure of exactly what is and isn't covered.

In transit anything of any value should be covered by the courier, if they abdicate responsibility for the goods they are carrying then perhaps you should think about dealing with someone else.

For long term loans and exhibitions you should have a written agreement with whoever has custody of the work which clearly sets out who is responsible for it and a paper trail of receipts and signed delivery notes etc to confirm that it was handed over.

Professional and product liability is a bit of a different thing to insuring the value of your work in transit and on loan etc. I would say that professional liability insurance is a pretty essential thing for any professional artist, certainly anyone who works in public sculpture and it is often a prerequisite for pubic art commissions.

[xelAlvis]

Thank you for your answer Chris.

Love your work - particularly the Iron Horse.

[tonofelephant]

XEL - you should check into a standard business policy. This would be a good thing for you anyway since you are in a business that moves heavy things, takes something from nothing to something & also installs the work.

Have carried a standard business policy for years, It covers slip & fall for clients on my property, when artwork leaves the property & goes other places, etc. Never had to use it, but many public art laces want you to carry it.

My business policy is bundled with my homeowners policy since both the studio & the home are on the same plot. Would be very hard to insure seperately - I know been there with that problem.

Good luck to you.

Carl

[xelAlvis]

thank you for your reply, Carl. My studio is at home as well so will look into bundling with homeowners insurance. I looked at your work, I love stone so much - I wish there was a white bronze patina that looked like stone - with the luminescence and all...alas...
Your sculpture Ambit is very interesting - it looks to me like someone standing with their legs spread pulling someone up between them - someone who is sitting behind the standing figure - something you might see in modern dance or during couples figure skating.
~A

[tonofelephant]

Your sculpture Ambit is very interesting - it looks to me like someone standing with their legs spread pulling someone up between them - someone who is sitting behind the standing figure - something you might see in modern dance or during couples figure skating.

Wow Xel, like your take on Ambit. If you ever get tired of being a sculptor, you could live a long life & die rich as a sculptors publicist.

As to insurance, I currently carry Westfield Insurance. In the past, have also had Chubb (man are they expensive - but very good & complete).

Carl