Insurance for bonsai collection

Hello IBC,
I have been wondering about buying homeowners insurance for my bonsai. Does anyone have any comments or suggestions about how to proceed? How does a person establish value on their bonsai, pots, etc?
Thank you.

I'll bet your insurance company will not cover them unless you have them in a locked, enclosed yard. You may be able to have a bonsai professional appraise them, or show proof of purchase price for a recent acquisition or pots.

Thanks John. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has wondered about this....

Hi Todd,
In 2000, eighteen of my best bonsai were stolen with none recovered. There was a fence around the property but not high enough; I now have the tallest fence allowed in our area plus an Australian heeler cattle dog.

I checked with my homeowners insurance and they wanted a detailed account of the cost of the bonsai. Luckily I had recent photographs of the trees and a bonsai professional in our club verified and submitted value for each bonsai. With this document plus a copy of the police report the insurance company set a top figure of $cash amount per bonsai. So I did get a settlement but was not the true value of the lot.

I probably was lucky to have had few claims on my insurance and an agent who was willing to "push the envelope". Good luck!

Best regards,
Norma

Thank you Norma.

I don't know if they'll write a policy however when insuring something like jewelry a written appraisal is needed.

You should be able to get an appraisal from someone in our community based on a good description and photos. Keep in mind that there is a fee associated with a written appraisal.

Call the gecko.

best,
Augustine

Ask your agent. I asked mine and he said that my trees were covered against theft.

I'm sure they will add a rider to your policy, and charge you accordingly for the amount insured. They can insure almost anything. I don't know if ordinary coverage will cover storm or other damage. But I'm going to be looking into it soon.

Thank you all for your replies and information.