How to plan, insure and package your art collection for moving

What is the best way to plan, package, and insure your artwork when you move?

The most stressful adult events include moving, planning a wedding or divorce, having a child, and caring for a sick relative.

This significant event allows you to look back at all of your possessions. For most, it’s a time to decide whether or not to sell them or to rethink how to relate to those items.

It must be challenging to let go of your art collection. Whether you’re an artist moving your reader or an art collector maintaining an archive, it takes more work.

Here’s some advice on planning, packaging, and ensuring your artwork for a move.

Keep an inventory of all your artwork.

You should have enough time to complete your collection inventory before moving. It is essential to do this if you will be driving long distances and separated from your belongings for an extended period. Update your Artwork Archive with the latest images and information about provenance and framing.

Also, note which pieces are packaged with each other and their current location. It is recommended that you create a Private room or unique collection of the items you plan to move so you have an inventory list on hand.

For insurance purposes, it’s important to note the current value and condition of the pieces. It is recommended that museum-quality items be appraised before moving them.

Insurance policies do not cover moving, but there are still ways to protect yourself.

As part of your moving package, you can include art insurance if you pack and move yourself. These policies are usually available through your home or auto insurance provider. Some moving companies have a partnership agreement with a third-party insurer if you are hiring movers. You can expect to pay 1 to 5% of the value of your belongings to cover you.

Understanding your coverage when moving

Moving companies’ policies vary, but the majority will not cover artwork outright. The moving company will set a luxury allowance (typically $1,500, but this can vary depending on the company). If the value of the work is higher than that, it must be listed. You will have to pay more for insurance on these items because they are unique.

According to Forbes, in the United States, moving companies must offer two types of insurance to their customers if they move between states. First, there is full-value coverage. The third-party mover must replace, repair, or offer the total value of the lost or damaged goods. Released-value protection gives you.60 per pound for lost or damaged items.

If you choose the released-value option, an 18-pound KitchenAid will be worth $10.80 rather than the $450+ it would cost to replace. Full-value coverage is more expensive, but the only way you can have your items returned in the event of a worst-case scenario.

What should you remember when insuring work in the event of a move?

You will need proof of value if you have full-value coverage and artwork in your collection has been damaged by movers. You can use receipts for sales of similar pieces or works in the same size or even auction records. Store these documents on your Artwork Archives account in the Additional Files section. You can easily find your paperwork in case of an emergency.

You can hire a specialist art handling service if you’re concerned about the transport of your art. However, this will cost you more. They are usually artists who have experience in moving and installing artwork.

When packing artwork, you need to take certain physical precautions into account.

You have a few options for packing your work in preparation for a move.

It is the cheapest and easiest to transport artwork on paper without framing if you pack them yourself. Wrapping these pieces in mylar or other protective paper and stacking them with similar-sized works can make it easier to fit into archival or cardboard boxes.

To protect the frames’ structure, they should be packaged in boxes with bubble wrap.

Rolling large canvases or papers into tubes is another way to save space. It can be hard to flatten work after moving. It would help if you allowed yourself two weeks to pack your artwork so that you can get more supplies once you start.

What other things should you consider before moving your art collection?

Packing framed artworks that you do not want to remove from their frames or stretching canvases for transport will require more effort. Crates may be needed if your frames contain glass.

If you’ve hired a moving company to protect your art at its total value, you must allow packers to package your artwork. Insurance won’t cover damage if you package your art yourself. To receive complete value protection, you must enable the packers to package your artwork if you have hired a moving service. Insurance will not cover any damage if you pack your art.

You have many options when moving your art collection. It’s best to take some time to research companies in your area. You can ensure that your art collection gets the best outcome by analyzing.

How to move your artwork with peace of mind

1. Maintain your insurance documentation. It’s essential to be covered by insurance when moving expensive art. Artwork Archives provides organized and easily accessible documentation about your collection that can be shared with insurers. This documentation will ensure your group has adequate insurance against potential damage or loss.
2. Create Condition Reports with Artwork Archive Reporting Options: You can create and store condition report for each artwork before and after moving. These reports describe the condition of each artwork, including any flaws or damages. These reports allow you to compare the state of the painting before and after moving and ensure that any damage has been adequately addressed.
3. Access digital files: Artwork Archive is a cloud-based platform that provides a backup digital of your collection. You can be assured that if any documentation is damaged or lost during a move, your collection records will remain safe online.