Art & Antique Galleries

Specialized Insurance for Art & Antique Galleries

Van Wagoner Companies, Inc. offers a dedicated Art & Antique Galleries program through its MGA platform with access to Lloyd's markets. The program is built to address the distinct valuation, transit, and display risks faced by galleries, dealers, consultants, and collectors. Whether the account is a small boutique gallery, a multi-dealer antique mall, or a private collector with frequent loans and exhibits, Van Wagoner provides flexible placement options and specialty underwriting expertise.

Ideal Accounts and Appetite

This program is well suited for:

• Fine art galleries and independent art dealers
• Antique shops and multi-dealer malls
• Private collectors who rotate or loan pieces to exhibits
• Art consultants, appraisers, and dealers who maintain on-site inventory

Accounts with high-value, mobile inventory—items in transit, on consignment, or displayed at shows and auctions—are welcomed when appropriate security and inventory controls are in place. Operations primarily focused on restoration, repair, or manufacturing of antiques or artwork may be outside of the core appetite and should be discussed with underwriting first.

Coverage Highlights and Advantages

The program offers core and package options tailored to gallery and antique exposures:

• Property Coverage – Buildings, fixtures, business personal property, and scheduled fine art and antiques.
• General Liability – Third-party bodily injury and property damage arising from gallery operations and client visits.
• Package Policies – Combined property and liability options for cleaner placement and administration.
• Inland Marine – Coverage for items in transit, on consignment, on loan, or exhibited off-premises.

Policies can be customized to include protections for theft, fire, accidental breakage during transit, and other common gallery risks. Coverage terms are designed to reflect the valuation and mobility of collectible items and to support complex placement needs.

Underwriting Notes and Minimum Premiums

Submissions are reviewed individually with attention to loss history, security measures, inventory controls, and item valuations. Provide a detailed inventory, values, provenance where available, and photos to accelerate underwriting. While the program does not list a public minimum premium here, Van Wagoner aims to offer competitive pricing that aligns with the risk profile—underwriters will advise on premium expectations during submission review.

Territories and Availability

This program is available on a non-admitted basis in the following states:

• Arizona (AZ)
• Arkansas (AR)
• California (CA)
• Connecticut (CT)
• Delaware (DE)
• Idaho (ID)
• Iowa (IA)
• Nevada (NV)
• New Mexico (NM)
• Oklahoma (OK)
• Pennsylvania (PA)
• Texas (TX)
• Utah (UT)
• Wyoming (WY)

Admitted versus non-admitted placement depends on the state and the individual risk characteristics. Van Wagoner places coverage through Lloyd's, which provides flexibility and capacity for higher-value or more complex accounts.

Why Work With Van Wagoner Companies

Van Wagoner combines niche underwriting experience with Lloyd's access to support specialty art and antique risks. Agents benefit from underwriters who understand valuations, transit exposures, consignment arrangements, and museum/exhibit placements. The MGA model also delivers responsive service and streamlined placement for tailor-made solutions.

Example scenarios that fit well:

• You have a client who runs a boutique gallery in California that frequently ships pieces to regional shows and needs transit and exhibit coverage in addition to on-site protection.
• You represent an antique dealer in Texas who consigns high-value pieces to auctions and requires scheduled inland marine coverage for items while off-premises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.