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Q: Shippers-UPS, FedEx, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS)–offer insurance. Is that good enough?
A: You can purchase insurance for your package while it's in transit. But in the event of a loss, you will be required to prove the value of the item, no matter how much insurance you purchased. Shippers consider a "quilt" to be a replaceable item; without documentation proving otherwise, you would be reimbursed an amount equivalent to the purchase price of a new blanket from the store. Longarm quilter Marcia Stevens researched this subject extensively. "What if," Marcia asked representatives of UPS, FedEx, and the USPS, "an insured quilt is lost or destroyed during shipping? How would the owner prove its value?"
The UPS representative recommended finding a similar quilt on eBay to determine comparable value, providing receipts or other proof of sales of similar quilts, or showing a quilt appraisal certificate. QNM confirmed this with a local representative of UPS, who added that the certified quilt appraisal would be accepted as proof of value only if the appraisal was completed prior to shipping. Marcia's contacts at the USPS and FedEx also stated that documentation of similar sales or certified quilt appraisals would be proof of value. Both individuals also mentioned that faulty packaging by the customer was the cause of a significant amount of loss in transit.
Q: What about my homeowner's insurance? Would my quilt be covered under that policy?
A: Check with your insurance agent. Insurance companies and levels of protection vary. My own policy covers my quilts at home or away on exhibit, but not while one is in transit. The policy covers personal possessions for replacement cost, and my agent said, "The burden of proof (of value) ultimately comes down to the homeowner."
A certified quilt appraisal or other documentation to prove value would be required. She also reminded me that the benefit amount would be subject to a deductible, which is a dollar amount that the insured must pay out-of-pocket before benefits are paid by the insurance company.
Q: Do quilt shows carry
insurance?
A: Not necessarily, even if the shows are professionally produced. Be sure to read the fine print on the entry materials. Quilts, Inc., the company that produces the International Quilt Market and Festival and Quilt Expo, insures all pieces included in its special exhibits from the time they leave home until they return. For the finalist quilts in the judged show at Houston's Festival, A World of Beauty, some insurance is provided for the quilts while at the show. If the quilt is valued at more than the amount covered, it is the entrant's responsibility to insure the quilt for the additional amount. Transit insurance is the responsibility of the entrant.
The American Quilter's Society has insurance that covers quilts while on exhibit at their annual shows and contests in Paducah, Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee. Show chairman Bonnie Browning says that the quilts are each insured for the value that the entrant declares on her entry form up to $5,000. A certified quilt appraisal is required for pieces valued at more than $1,000. Bonnie adds, "We also advise entrants to insure their quilts through their homeowner's insurance if the quilt is appraised at a value greater than our limit."
Kelly Gallagher Abbott is the curator of the Hoffman Challenge, an annual traveling exhibit that sent nine trunk shows to approximately 300 different locations in 2004. The quilts are insured for $250 each by the Hartford Insurance Company under a group policy called the Society of Quilters. This is an "all risk" policy written specifically for the needs of quilters. Coverage is available for quilt collections as well as fabric, tools, sewing machines, patterns, and books against loss or damage due to theft, vandalism, or natural causes.
For a local or regional show, don't just assume that the quilts (or the guests, either) are covered by insurance carried by the show's venue. The show organizers should inform you about the insurance they provide. If the information isn't offered, don't hesitate to ask.
If there is no insurance, it doesn't mean you shouldn't participate; you just need to be self-insured. If your guild is a chapter of the National Quilting Association (NQA), the group can purchase reasonably priced insurance for the duration of the show through an insurance company that works with the NQA. The policy provides coverage for the quilts on exhibit and liability insurance for the guild if someone is injured at the show.
Q: My guild was invited to hang members' quilts at a neighborhood coffeehouse. I'm concerned that my quilt might be damaged or stolen while on display. Would my quilt be covered by the restaurant's insurance?
A: Again, you need to find out before agreeing to exhibit your work at any commercial location. Sharon Darling of Quilter's Review developed a list of questions you should ask; inquire specifically about protection in the event of fire, smoke, and flood damage, as well as theft. And remember the deductible. That could be $500, $1,000, or more, so find out if the business is willing to pay you the deductible amount if anything happens to your quilt. For your part, give the restaurant owner a value statement for your quilt with a description and a purchase price if the quilt is for sale. If you don't sell quilts often and the quilt is valuable, have it appraised.
Q: I've made a quilt as a wedding gift. I'm flying to the wedding and taking the quilt with me. I am afraid the quilt might be stolen from my unlocked luggage.
A: Make every effort to carry the quilt with you on the plane. Contact the airline before your flight and find out the size requirements for carry-on bags. If the quilt won't fit in your carry-on, consider shipping the quilt instead. Information on the websites of Continental and United Airlines states that the airlines will not assume liability for loss or damage to irreplaceable items in checked baggage (in other words, your quilt). If your gift is an heirloom-quality quilt, have it appraised. Include a copy of the appraisal with the gift. The recipients will be made aware of the true value of your gift and they will have documentation for their own insurance.
Carol Doak travels by air frequently to teach paper-piecing techniques. She takes too many quilts to put in a carry-on bag, so she packs them carefully in a sturdy hard-sided suitcase that goes along as checked baggage. Carol has an insurance policy that covers these quilts. She explains, "I look at insurance from a business perspective. I cover only the quilts I need to teach and lecture. The quilts I travel with are the ones most at risk, and I insure them for the amount I'd have to pay if I had to hire people to help me replace them if they were lost."
Q: How do people insure their quilts?
A: Carol Doak has a policy through the Society of Quilters. Wendy Butler Berns, a quilter and instructor from Lake Mills, Wisconsin, also has a policy from the Society of Quilters that covers her quilts, tools, and other teaching materials. Christine N. Brown, an NQA-certified quilt judge from Castle Rock, Colorado, also carries a policy from the Society of Quilters because her homeowner's insurance does not cover her quilts while they are out of her possession. Chris too mentioned the deductible, and suggested buying insurance from your shipper to compensate for that amount. Many quilters who carry separate insurance on their quilts purchase it from this company, or add a floater (a policy insuring specific items of personal property) to their homeowner's policy. Art insurers tend to be much more expensive.
Q: It sounds like there's no point in buying insurance if I can't prove the value of my quilts. How do I find a certified appraiser? What is involved?
A: The American Quilter's Society has developed a program that certifies appraisers to give insurance and fair market values for quilts, quilt-related textiles, and wearable art. Certified appraiser Deborah Roberts's website provides lots of information about appraisals as well as links to AQS certified appraisers who are online and willing to communicate via email. She says, "Please understand, however, that the article to be appraised must be seen personally by the appraiser; we do not have virtual appraisals yet." Appraiser's fees vary. Deborah cautions, "It is unethical for an appraiser to charge a fee based on a percentage of [the quilt's] value. A reputable appraiser should have a standard per-appraisal fee, prespecified contract price, or an hourly rate, plus expenses if appropriate." You can locate an appraiser in your area by visiting the AQS website.
With quilts, just like on-time airline flights, uneventful car trips, and children walking to school every day, you never hear about the safe arrivals. If you take some reasonable precautions, you'll be able to relax and enjoy the show.
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