The historical nature of antiques and collectibles, their background and the fact that they may be prized by collectors from around the world means that they can be extremely valuable and it`s vital to ensure they are covered against risks such as theft and mishaps such as accidental damage. This is where home insurance comes in - but will your policy offer sufficient cover for your collection?

Does home insurance cover antiques?

Most home insurance providers place a limit on the overall amount you can claim on contents insurance - and within this limit is a cap on individual items. Typically, the most you can claim for an individual item is £1,500 (levels vary depending on the insurer) which may not be enough to protect your valuable antiques.

With some insurers you can specify items of particularly high value separately on a policy. Though premiums may rise as a result, this is a viable solution if you only own one or two valuable antiques. However, if you have several antiques you may need a specialist policy from a high value home insurance company.

There are several high value home insurance companies that offer extended limits on contents cover (potentially as high as £500,000 or £1million). Within this claims limit, specified item caps could be as high as £150,000 - sufficient to cover the majority of antiques. You should check the terms and conditions of the policy to see if there are any exclusions (circumstances in which you will not be covered) - for example, does the insurer cover rare works of art and how regularly do you need to have the antiques valued?

Remember to assess the level of cover on offer when comparing policies. For example, are antiques protected against accidental damage - you may need extended cover as most policies only cover electrical items against this risk. Are antiques covered if you take them to another location, such as to participate in an exhibition? Check the terms that apply on the personal possessions` aspect of your cover, as this protects items taken out of the home. Also, will they be restored to their previous condition or simply replaced if they are damaged?

Is high value home insurance is right for you?

The first step to finding the right level of cover is to get an appraisal of your antiques by an approved expert. This should include identification, circa/date and a present day market valuation. Ensure that the appraisal states that it is for insurance or replacement purposes so that you receive the correct documentation and look for experts that are members of established groups such as The British Antique Dealers` Association (BADA), The Association of Art and Antique Dealers (LAPADA), The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and The International Art and Antiques Trade Association (CINOA).


From there, consult your provider about whether or not you will be covered. If the policy isn`t suitable, consider high value home insurance.

Remember, whichever policy you choose, to keep an inventory of items with recent valuations and photographs to ensure a potential claim runs smoothly. If a claim is necessary consult your home insurance provider as soon as possible and follow its instructions carefully - do not arrange repairs or restoration for any antiques or antique furniture until approved by the insurer.

Though you may need a specialist high value home insurance policy it`s still worth using a comparison website to compare home insurance quotes so you get an overview of the market and the deals available.