Insure or forget?

[kahnjar1]

[QUOTE=DaveA]Harry's question gives rise to a few of my own, but they are far more basic:

For insurance purposes, what is considered an authoritative appraisal?

What are the required qualifications of the appraiser?

Finally, how does one find such an appraiser (USA)?

Thanks.

Dave A.[/QUOTE
Hi Dave,]
I guess the answer to the above might lie with your Insurance Company. Terms of insurance differ between companies. If for instance your Policy would categorize your collection as "Household Goods" and ask only that items over a certain value be individually nominated, then your initial costs, and premiums will be a lot less than having to have ALL of your items valued, and nominated on your Policy. In this case you would only have to PROVE you possessed each item if a claim was necessary. A list of items and a photo of each should be all that is needed, but you would need to consult your Insurance Company or Broker, to establish what is required. They should also be able to point you in the right direction for an accepted Appraiser if one was necessary.
If however you have to have each piece valued, and pay a premium on your policy to insure them, then it may be better to leave them uninsured unless of course there is a particular item of high value. Depends a lot on what it you want to pay I guess.
Stu