Why you need a valuation for your collectibles — and how to get one
Whether you’ve inherited a few pieces of jewellery, are starting to collect sports memorabilia, or have invested in wine, whisky or fine art over the years, your collectibles are a part of your history and your story. They may even be worth a substantial amount of money.
Any time you own a collection, consider getting the items valued. Here’s why:
- You’ll probably want to protect them. To get insurance on valuable collectibles, you may need to know how much they’re worth. A valuation will let the insurance company know the appropriate compensation amount if your pieces are lost, stolen or damaged. Keep in mind that most standard home and contents insurance policies will provide limited coverage for valuables. To fully protect your collectibles, you may need a premium policy.
- You may want to sell them. If you’re looking to sell your valuables, you’ll need to know how much to charge, and potential buyers will probably want to know the process by which the item’s value was determined. A professional valuation is the way to go.
- You may have inherited them. If you inherited collectibles, you may need to have them valued accurately to ensure they are adequately protected for what they're worth.
You may be surprised to know that there are different values for the same item. Depending on the purpose of the valuation, the same item can have more than one type of value. The two most common are fair market value and retail replacement value.
- Fair market value is the price at which property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller. This value is typically used for tax purposes or to inform a sale.
- Retail replacement value is the amount that would be required to replace a piece with another of similar age, quality, origin, appearance provenance, and condition. This value is typically used for insurance purposes.
How do you go about getting a professional valuation?
People often think that the way to get a valuation is to go to the place where that type of valuable is sold. For example, if you inherited an antique collection, you might think it wise to go to an antique shop for a valuation.
Actually, the opposite is true!
Make sure you seek out an expert who does not have an active interest in purchasing your item.
What to look out for when seeking a professional valuation?
- Consult a reputable valuer. If you’re not sure how to get started, you can start by checking with your insurer if they have any professional contacts to refer. (Note: Chubb has a network of service providers including specialist appraisers on jewellery and watches).
- Look for someone who has expertise in what you have. Not all valuers have knowledge of all types of valuables, so find someone who really knows the type of item you have.
- Avoid valuers who charge a fee based on a percentage of the item’s value. This is a conflict of interest. Instead, your valuer should charge a flat fee or hourly rate.
If you would like to find out more on how you can protect your valuable collections, leave your contact details via the ‘Contact Me’ button below and our representatives will get in touch with you.
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Disclaimer - The content of the above article is not intended to constitute professional advice. Although all content is believed to be accurate, Chubb Insurance Singapore Limited (Chubb) makes no warranty or guarantee about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the content of this article. Users relying on any content do so at their own risk.
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