Looking for artwork insurance info

Hi,

I considering insuring my artwork when exhibited, in transit, and in my studio.

So far I have not had any luck locating such an insurance company.

Any suggestions?

Thank you,

Francoise Frigola

If you can possibly fit it under the rubric of fine craft as well as sculpture, it's easy to get good insurance coverage for that. I have mine through the artist-blacksmith's assn., abana, underwritten by Hanover. It includes product liability as well as the artwork, tools, etc.

A more widely available option is from the American Craft Council, which covers any medium. I don't have the info at hand, but it's advertised in the latest issue of Crafts Report. Maybe there's a link to it at www.craftsreport.com.

Have you checked with the Intl. Sculpture Society to see if insurance is available through their professional membership? When I was shopping for insurance several years ago, I checked with them - sorry, don't remember what they said. Try www.sculpture.org.

Good luck!

Cat ************************************** CatherinA Laugel - Figurative Sculptor http://www.catlaugel.co.uk

appreciate the same kind of info for the UK. Is there any sculptor based in the UK here who have some tips to give me on that subject? Thanks.

I want to insure my sculptures personally because of the following little story worth telling to warn all artists.....

I had two sculptures stolen in June 99 from Jean-Christophe Novelli's restaurant ( I quote the name to give him bad advertising ) - and they had insured my sculptures. It took 9 months for the claim to go through and they asked me to deal myself with the insurer to negotiate the amount. The payment was made to Novelli on my behalf mid February 2000. Today I am still expecting the money which is due to me for the loss of my sculptures. After months of chasing them, I took a lawyer which cost me over £350 and shortly after that Novelli liquidated his 4 companies. The lawyer could not be bothered and told me that I will not get any money as Novelli is leaving over £200,000 of unpaid debts, and should I choose to sue Novelli directly, he would probably run into a personal bankruptcy!!! THe liquidator asked Novelli to seek legal advice and I am left waiting... Has any body had any such experience???

The year before, a gallery in Fulham, where I had placed 4 sculptures closed and the guy vanished with the whole contents of his shop. The police was unable to track him down. I found out that people can sublet shops and not even be registered properly. Probably naive on my part!!

Anyway. Just bitter and warning people off!

Thanks Cathy for the suggestions. I have e-mailed several companies and am waiting for answers.

Cat,

You are raising interesting questions and give good warnings. If and when I find an insurer, I will have more detailed questions to ask.

Francoise Frigola

Fine Arts: Sculptures and Original Inkjet Prints

I learned not to trust small shops with commissions. A guy opened up a cool modern-design shop near mine and asked if he could show/sell my plaster columns and such. I said sure, and thought all was well. Went to look a week or 2 later- one piece was broken, he took no responsibility, other things displayed inappropriately, and no sales. So I started removing my stuff. He objected... there were words... a heavy plaster object came down on his foot... no further objections. He closed soon after. Mentally unstable people talk their way into a lot of trouble. Never just sign a commission form without reading it. They usually say you are taking all the risks. More serious shops may go for the floating bill of sale, where you 'sell' them the thing, getting a bill of sale, and in three months or whatever, you either take it back or demand payment

The is the Uniform Commerical Code which is, I believe, recognised by all the states. The UCC clearly states that the person holding the consignment item is responsible for the item, just as if there was a bill of sale. I'm not an attorney, but have had disasterious experiences with 'galleries' taking work on commission. The worst was a story of alleged theft by a homeless person momentarily out of view of the gallery owner.

You gotta think about the security of the items you place. Good will and assurances don't go far to compensate for the loss.

One good rule of thumb is don't consign to 'morons'.

Fred