Overview — Insurance for Fine Art & Collectibles Enterprises
Phoenix Risk Management (PRM) offers the FACE program to help agents place fine art, wine and high-value collectibles accounts through a dedicated team of specialists. FACE combines underwriting expertise, market access and tailored policy structure to address the unique risks faced by collectors, galleries, museums, dealers and consignors. As a general agency, PRM places this business with established markets including AXA Art Insurance, XL Specialty Insurance, Markel, and Great American to provide flexible solutions for both private and institutional clients.
Ideal Accounts and Target Classes
- Private and corporate collections (single-owner or scheduled item lists)
- Galleries, dealers and auction houses — on-premises and in-transit exposures
- Museums, exhibit organizers and traveling exhibitions
- Wine collectors, storage facilities and specialty wine merchants
- High-value collectibles such as rare books, stamps, coins, and memorabilia
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
- Worldwide coverage options for transit, exhibitions and storage
- Agreed value scheduling and valuation support for high-value pieces
- Optional coverage extensions commonly available through our markets (e.g., seizure, mysterious disappearance, restoration costs) — subject to underwriting
- Access to admitted and non-admitted markets where appropriate (All Available Markets)
- Claims advocacy and specialist adjusting resources familiar with fine art and wine losses
Underwriting Notes and Appetite
FACE underwriters prefer well-documented accounts with recent professional appraisals or inventories, secure storage practices, and loss-prevention measures for transit and exhibition. The program typically writes accounts with clear valuation and provenance histories. Accounts that commonly fit include single-item scheduled risks, gallery portfolios, museum collections, and private wine collections.
Accounts that may require special handling or that are generally uninsurable include items with disputed provenance, recent restoration with unresolved damage, accounts lacking reasonable security or climate control for wine, or highly speculative rental/exhibit arrangements without professional risk controls. Each submission is evaluated on its own merits; early pre-submission conversations help set expectations.
Underwriting Requirements & Minimum Premium
Typical submission requirements include a detailed schedule of items, recent valuation or appraisal information, photographs for higher-value pieces, description of storage/transport/exhibit arrangements, and loss history. The program’s minimum premium is $1,500. Larger collections and complex exhibition programs will require fuller underwriting documentation and may be subject to market-specific minimums or terms.
Territories and Availability
FACE is available in the states listed below and in other territories consistent with market appetite. Availability may vary by carrier and admitted status; please confirm state-specific capacity at time of submission.
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, DC, WV, WI, WY
Why Work With Phoenix Risk Management on FACE Business
- Specialized underwriting team familiar with art, wine and collectibles exposures
- Access to top specialty carriers and flexibility across admitted and non-admitted solutions
- Dedicated account servicing and claims support focused on nuanced valuation and restoration issues
- Quick triage for submissions to identify the right market and reduce turnaround time
Examples of Fit
- You might have a private client who owns a carefully cataloged small collection of contemporary paintings and needs agreed-value insurance for in-home display and international transit for an upcoming exhibit.
- You might represent a regional gallery that needs a single policy covering on-premises collections, consigned items in transit to buyers, and exhibition coverage for a traveling show.
To discuss a submission or get pre-qualification guidance, contact Phoenix Risk Management’s FACE team. Call PRM Toll Free at (855) 922-0800 or email [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of fine art and collectibles accounts does FACE prefer?
FACE prefers well-documented private collections, galleries, dealers, museums and wine collectors where valuations, provenance and security/storage practices are available for review. Scheduled high-value items and exhibition programs are typical fits.
What documentation should I include with a submission?
Provide a detailed schedule of items with valuations or appraisals, photographs for higher-value pieces, details of storage and transit arrangements, and loss history. The more complete the submission, the faster we can identify the right market.
Is coverage available for international transit and exhibitions?
Yes — FACE offers worldwide transit and exhibition coverage through its specialty markets, subject to underwriting review and any country-specific restrictions from the insurer.
What is the program’s minimum premium?
The program’s stated minimum premium is $1,500. Individual carriers may have additional minimums or specific terms depending on risk characteristics.
Which carriers do you place FACE business with?
PRM places FACE risks with specialty carriers including AXA Art Insurance, XL Specialty Insurance, Markel, and Great American, selecting the market that best matches the account’s needs.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.