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Insuring Fine Art, Antiques & Collectibles in 2025: The Essential Guide for Luxury Homeowners Across Australia

Updated: 3 days ago

Owning fine art, antiques or rare collectibles is a genuine privilege — but protecting these high-value pieces requires far more than a standard home insurance policy.Across Australia’s prestige property markets, from Sydney to Melbourne, Perth to Brisbane, collectors are discovering that basic home cover is not enough for irreplaceable assets.


Whether you live in a luxury apartment, coastal estate, architectural home or a heritage property, your artwork, antiques and collectibles need specialist high-value contents insurance.

Here’s what every premium homeowner must understand about protecting their most valuable items.




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1. Burglary & Theft: Standard Policies Severely Underinsure High-Value Items


Most standard home insurance policies drastically limit payouts for:

  • fine art

  • antiques

  • sculptures

  • rare collectibles

  • memorabilia

  • jewellery

  • luxury décor

  • limited-edition pieces


Unless these items are individually listed and professionally valued, insurers usually apply:


❌ caps as low as $1,000–$5,000 per item

❌ total contents limits that don’t reflect real value

❌ exclusions for fragile or rare pieces

❌ depreciation that drastically reduces payouts


This is a major issue in high-value suburbs like:



Luxury homes attract higher theft risk — making specialist cover essential.


2. Accidental Damage: The Most Important Cover Most People Don’t Have


High-value art and collectibles are vulnerable to:

  • knocks and falls

  • cleaning accidents

  • spills or stains

  • surface scratches

  • handling damage

  • climate exposure (humidity, sunlight, temperature)


Accidental Damage Cover is optional with many insurers, but it is crucial for:

  • luxury homes

  • architect-designed interiors

  • premium apartments

  • properties with high foot traffic

  • homes with pets or children

  • coastal properties exposed to moisture


One minor scratch on an original painting or dropped sculpture can cost thousands to restore.


3. Taking Art Off-Site? Standard Policies Do NOT Cover It.


Most people don’t know this:


👉 The moment your artwork leaves your insured home, it often loses all protection.


That includes:

  • transporting art

  • sending pieces for restoration

  • loaning work to a gallery

  • moving homes

  • storing items temporarily


Specialist transit and away-from-home cover is essential for collectors who:

  • relocate seasonally

  • own multiple residences

  • exhibit their art

  • renovate or move frequently

  • store valuable items in professional facilities


4. Storage & Transit: One of the Most Misunderstood Risk Areas


If you plan to move, relocate or store your valuables, you MUST tell your insurer — standard home insurance does not cover:

  • climate-controlled storage

  • damage during professional moving

  • deterioration from humidity or light

  • theft at a storage facility

  • mishandling by contractors


Collectors in markets like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and the Gold Coast often rotate pieces between homes, making dedicated transit/storage cover critical.


5. Expert Tips for Protecting High-Value Art & Collectibles


✔ Keep Up-to-Date Professional Valuations


Art and antique values change — sometimes dramatically.Updated valuations ensure correct coverage and full payouts.


✔ Maintain Documentation


Store:

  • receipts

  • provenance

  • certificates

  • high-resolution photos

  • appraisals


This speeds up claims and proves ownership.


✔ Review Coverage After Every Major Purchase


Even one new artwork can exceed your existing contents limits.


✔ Use High-Net-Worth Home Insurance


Specialist insurers like Chubb Masterpiece, Allianz Premier, Quantum Elite, Prevail, Blue Zebra Platinum, CGU Prestige and Castle have policies designed specifically for:

  • fine art

  • antiques

  • sculptures

  • murals

  • rare collectibles

  • jewellery collections

  • wine cellars

  • memorabilia


Why Luxury Collectors Across Australia Choose Luxsure Insurance


Luxsure specialises in high-value contents insurance for premium homes across:


New South Wales:


Victoria:


Western Australia:


Queensland:


South Australia, Tasmania & ACT premium postcodes as well


We understand the specific risks luxury collectors face — and we tailor cover so your valuable pieces are protected no matter what.


Your Collection Deserves Specialist Protection — Not Standard Home Insurance


Fine art, antiques, limited-edition pieces and high-value collectibles can be worth more than the house they’re displayed in.They deserve specialist attention, specialist valuation and specialist insurance.


Luxsure will assess your collection, identify coverage gaps and match you with the right high-net-worth insurer to ensure full protection — whether your items are at home, in transit or on display.



Get your quote today!

 
 
 
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