Does home insurance cover art?

This guide is for informational purposes only. We do not currently offer specialised art insurance at MoneySuperMarket.

Key takeaways

• A standard home insurance policy may cover your pieces of art, but this will be subject to a single-item limit, so high-value items will need to be listed individually.

• Specialist art insurance policies offer higher limits on cover, as well as appreciation in value and a less frequent need to update your listings.

• Art insurance policies also extend extra cover for accidental damage, disfigurement, breakage and theft.

Is my art covered by standard home insurance?

Art is usually covered by standard home insurance, but only up to strict limits, and often not at full value.

Home contents policies usually come with a single-item limit.

High-value art typically needs to be specifically listed or covered under a specialist “valuables” or “all risks” extension for full protection.

Do I need art insurance?

You need art insurance if your pieces are valuable, hard to replace, or exceed the limits of standard home insurance cover.

Art insurance is especially important for originals, high-value works, or collections where you want protection for risks like accidental damage, theft, or transit.

What does specialist art insurance cover?

Specialist art insurance typically covers theft, accidental damage, fire, flood, and loss, often on an “all risks” basis. It can also include agreed value payouts, restoration costs, and protection while artwork is in transit, on loan, or exhibited.

Art insurance also offers specialist cover that factors for unique issues and circumstances that can affect your collection:

These include:

What won’t be covered by a specialist art insurance policy?

Specialist art insurance usually won’t cover wear and tear, gradual deterioration (like fading or ageing), poor maintenance, or damage from pests or mould.

Other exclusions may include:

• Routine repairs, maintenance, servicing and cleaning

• Cosmetic damaged that occurs as a result of the above

• Theft due to negligence i.e. unlocked doors, windows or vehicles

• Damage that results from atmospheric and climate-related conditions

What items are considered fine art?

Fine art typically includes original, primarily aesthetic works such as paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints, and limited-edition photographs. It can also include other collectible artistic works like installations or mixed-media pieces, especially when they have recognised artistic or market value.

While it might differ between insurers, generally speaking the following items can be seen as fine art:

• Paintings, photographs and drawings

• Art prints

• Maps

• Decorative ornaments

• Porcelain, china, silverware, glassware and crystalware

• Rugs and tapestries

• Statues, sculptures and busts

• Collectible items

• Artefacts

How do I value artwork for insurance?

You value artwork for insurance by getting a professional appraisal from a qualified art valuer or auction house, then supporting it with recent comparable sales, provenance, and condition reports.

Insurers usually prefer an updated valuation every few years to ensure cover reflects current market value.

Compare home insurance for your artwork

Finding affordable home insurance for your valuable items is easier when you compare quotes with MoneySuperMarket. Just tell us about yourself, your property and the items you want to cover, and remember to list valuables separately, and we’ll search the market for deals that meet your requirements.