Your clients might assume their homeowners policy has them covered when it comes to their most treasured possessions. But the truth? Many people only discover their coverage limits after a loss, and by then, it’s too late. Standard homeowners insurance often comes with sublimits — dollar caps on what the insurer will pay for certain types of property. For example, a policy may only cover $2,500 worth of antiques or $1,500 in silverware, no matter the true value of the pieces. That’s where valuables insurance, also known as collections insurance, comes in.
Top 7 Commonly Overlooked Valuables
If your clients own any of the items on this list, it’s time to have a conversation about how to protect their valuables with the right specialty insurance solutions.
- Family Heirlooms and Antiques
Heirlooms are one-of-a-kind valuables. Think antique clocks, vintage jewelry, or furniture passed down for generations. These items may not have easily determined market values, and their sentimental worth typically far exceeds what standard coverage offers. Specialty insurance helps cover full appraised value, protecting against damage, theft, or mysterious disappearance.
- Musical Instruments
Whether it’s a vintage Gibson Les Paul guitar, a baby grand piano, or a centuries-old violin, musical instruments are more than just tools — they’re pieces of art with soul. And for collectors, they’re prized possessions that appreciate in value over time. Just ask Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, whose 1969 Black Strat sold for nearly $4 million, or Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, whose guitar collection is practically a museum in itself.
Standard homeowners policies rarely offer adequate coverage for high-value musical instruments, but valuables insurance can — whether the instruments are stored at home, displayed in a corporate office, or even in transit.
- Silverware, China, and Crystal
Martha Stewart has famously curated entire rooms around her antique china and silver collections, showcasing how these items can be both functional and highly collectible. And she’s not alone. Inherited silver sets, porcelain tea cups, and crystal stemware sit tucked away in cabinets — quietly carrying generations of family history or carefully curated taste. But despite their value (both sentimental and monetary), these pieces are subject to strict sublimits in standard homeowners insurance policies, with coverage capped at as little as $2,500.
- Rugs and Furnishings
Handwoven rugs or designer furnishings are often overlooked because they’re functional parts of the home. But if they’re rare or imported, they may fall into a higher-value collectible category. Specialty insurance considers the item’s appraised value rather than its depreciated worth, helping policyholders recover the appreciated value after loss.
- Coins and Stamps
If you have any philatelists and numismatists as clients, take note: hobbyist collections are typically excluded or capped under general personal property coverage. And unlike market investments, the true value of rare coins or stamps may not be accurately reflected without an up-to-date appraisal. A dedicated policy ensures these items are covered at their proper collectible value.
- Toys, Model Trains, and Dolls
Collectors of vintage Barbie dolls, Lionel train sets, or retro Action Figures don’t realize their emotional — and monetary — investment isn’t protected, even though these items can appreciate over time. Earlier this year, a San Diego father made headlines when his six-figure Hot Wheels collection was ruined during severe flooding. His homeowners policy offered limited protection, turning a lifetime passion into an underinsured loss.
- Holiday Ornaments and Decor
It’s easy to forget the value of fragile, possibly irreplaceable, seasonal decorations until they’re broken or lost. But it’s not just the hand-blown glass ornaments or vintage nativity sets that deserve more than basic protection. From traditional German candle pyramids to delicate Victorian Christmas cards, a specialty insurance policy can help protect the full collectible value of these items, well beyond the holiday season.
Partner with MiniCo — Experts in Specialty Insurance
At MiniCo, we specialize in the things that don’t fit into a standard insurance box, offering exclusive programs for niche industries and unique risks. Our exclusive Collectibles Insurance program is backed by our “A”-rated carrier partners and deep underwriting expertise. Explore how MiniCo’s valuables insurance solutions can protect the collections your clients care about most. Contact our program underwriters to learn more and get a quote.
