How To Get Art Appraised For Insurance

As an art appraiser i examine the work take measurements notes about the condition signature any other physical traits and then photograph the object.

How to get art appraised for insurance. You should be able to readily find this information on an appraiser s website. The appraiser should have experience appraising art be qualified to appraise art and have no conflicts of interest regarding the particular work of art that s been appraised. The first step to insuring your art collection is putting together provenance or all the necessary documentation to prove that the work of art is yours and what it s currently worth. These documents include proof of ownership bill of sale provenance a replacement estimate photographs and the most recent appraisal.

For example insurance value is the retail value or what would it cost today to buy a similar item. Next they factor in the condition of the artwork to determine a fair market value this is a minimum and maximum figure in usd that the artwork is likely to fetch at auction. Looking at the back of two dimensional works is as important as looking at the front since there are often gallery stickers or identifying features that are extremely useful. The appraisal should contain contact information for the appraiser a conflict of interest disclaimer and also a statement of how the appraised value was determined.

Items may be appraised differently according to the intended purpose of the appraisal. Ensure the appraiser knows that the appraisal is for insurance purposes.