How to protect and preserve your art collection

Whether it’s a stunning piece you saved up for or a large sculpture passed down through generations, your art collection reflects you. It can be the heart of your home, telling a story on your walls, as well as a smart investment.

Art can hold both emotional and financial value so, while it might be easy to adopt a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude, making sure your art is protected is important. Damage or theft of your art can be a costly and stressful experience, that’s why we’re here to help you look after it.

This guide will walk you through 3 key areas of protecting your art: understanding its value, preserving your pieces from harm and ensuring you have the right insurance cover. This way you can enjoy your collection with confidence, knowing it’s safe and well cared for.

Know what you own: The importance of documentation and valuation

Before you can properly protect your art, you need a comprehensive record of what you own and its value. A detailed inventory is the foundation for both good collection management and, crucially, for insurance. Imagine the worst happens, a burglary or a big shake, trying to remember every detail of every piece for an insurance claim is a headache you don’t need. Having a handy record, proof of ownership and value, will help make any claim process easier.

How to create a comprehensive art inventory

You can create a simple spreadsheet or use a dedicated collection management app but be sure to include the following for each piece.

• Artist's name, title of the work and the year it was created.
• High-quality photographs from multiple angles. Capture the front and back as well as details like signatures, edition numbers or any existing damage.
• Dimensions and medium. For example, ‘oil on canvas’ or ‘bronze sculpture’.
• Provenance details including when and where you purchased it, the price you paid and copies of receipts or certificates of authenticity.

Keep digital copies of your inventory and supporting documents in a secure cloud-based folder, separate from your home, for security and ease of access.

Determining value with a professional appraisal

While your inventory tracks the facts, a professional appraisal determines the official value. Think of it as a regular check-up for your art's financial health. This is a critical step for insurance purposes. An appraiser will research the artist, the specific work and current market trends, to provide a formal valuation document. This value is what you can use to insure your high-value pieces.

When seeking an appraiser, look for a qualified expert who specialises in the type of art you own. They will assess factors like:

• Condition: The physical state of the artwork.
• Rarity: How many similar pieces exist.
• Provenance: The history of ownership, which can significantly add to its value.
• Artist's significance: The artist's reputation and sale history in the market.

It's wise to get professional valuations for your significant pieces and have them updated every 3 to 5 years, because the art market can change quickly so a current valuation ensures you are not underinsured.

Protect your art from damage and deterioration

The physical environment is the biggest threat to the longevity of your art. By controlling the environment, you can prevent most common types of damage. The risks for indoor and outdoor art are quite different, so we’ve broken them down below.

Caring for your indoor art

For paintings and other indoor works, the main culprits of damage are light, humidity and temperature.

• Light: Keep all artwork, especially works on paper like watercolours and photographs, out of direct sunlight. Ultraviolet (UV) light can cause irreversible fading and damage. Invest in professional framing that uses UV-protective glass or acrylic.
• Temperature and humidity: Avoid displaying art in areas with extreme temperature fluctuations, such as above fireplaces or in damp basements. Consistent, moderate conditions are best. High humidity can lead to mould and foxing on paper, while low humidity can make canvas or wood brittle.
• Hanging and placement: Use proper, professional-grade hanging systems and avoid placing valuable pieces in high-traffic areas where they could be accidentally knocked or bumped. Use museum wax or quake gel for items on shelves and professional-grade hooks for anything on the wall to stop them from falling down during earthquakes.
• Handling and cleaning: When moving art, handle it with clean hands and hold it by the frame’s sides. For cleaning, a light dusting with a soft and clean brush is usually all that’s needed. For anything more, consult a professional art conservator to avoid causing damage.

Extra care for outdoor art

Outdoor sculptures and installations can add beauty and character to a property, but they face a unique set of risks from weather and security threats.

• Secure the base: Ensure sculptures are anchored to a solid foundation using bolts or cement. This prevents them from tipping over in high winds and makes them much more difficult to steal.
• Use discreet security: Motion-activated lighting, alarms or CCTV cameras can deter theft without compromising the beauty of your garden. For particularly high-value pieces, GPS tracking devices can be discreetly installed.
• Choose durable materials: When buying outdoor art, opt for weather-resistant materials like bronze, stainless steel or properly treated stone. Ask the artist or gallery about long-term durability and maintenance requirements.
• Schedule regular maintenance: Sun and rain can cause fading and corrosion over time. Set up a routine for cleaning and inspections, and consult an art conservation specialist if you notice any issues.

Ensure your art is covered with the right insurance

You’ve invested time, passion and money in building and looking after your collection. The final, critical, step is to ensure it's protected with the right insurance. Many people assume a standard contents policy is enough, but valuable assets like art can sometimes exceed the general limits for individual items –leaving you underinsured when you need it most.

How MAS Contents Insurance can protect your collection

At MAS, we understand your art collection is unique. That’s why our Contents Insurance offers a range of automatic additional benefits to help you protect your art. Our policy provides cover for works of art (including paintings, sculptures, ornaments and antiques) up to $25,000 for any one item.

If you own pieces valued above this amount, or your entire collection has a significant total value, you should list them as ‘specified items’ on your policy schedule. By doing this, you ensure they are insured for their full and agreed-upon replacement value, giving you peace of mind.

We also include the following benefits:

• Pairs and sets cover: If an insured item that forms part of a pair or set is lost or damaged and we can't repair or replace it, we will settle your claim as if the entire pair or set was involved in the loss. This ensures you’re not left with an incomplete or devalued collection.
• New for old replacement value: If an insured piece is damaged beyond repair, our ‘new for old’ cover means we will pay the cost of replacing it with the nearest equivalent item available.
• Cover for reduction in value: If we choose to repair an item of artwork, we will also pay you for any reduction in its current value that has occurred as a result of the repair.
• Transit and storage: Cover for your artwork while it’s in transit to a new home in New Zealand and for accidental loss by restricted perils (like fire or theft) while in a commercial storage facility.

Peace of mind for years to come

Your art collection is something to be treasured. By taking these steps, you can get back to appreciating your art without worrying about what the future might hold.

If you’re unsure whether your current insurance is right for your collection, give us a call at 0800 800 627 or email us and our friendly team can help you out.