Do You Have Valuable Collectibles at Home? Here’s Why Standard Insurance May Not Be Enough 

Most people think about insuring the big things, their home, their car, maybe even a boat. But what about the items that are personally meaningful and financially valuable? 

We’re touching on something many homeowners overlook: special collections and high-value personal items often need extra protection beyond a standard homeowners policy. 

The Hidden Value Sitting in Your Home 

Taking a look at unique items people keep in their homes, things like: 

• Vinyl record collections 

• Rare albums 

• Vintage cameras 

• Jewelry 

• Artwork 

• Memorabilia and collectibles 

These aren’t just decorations or hobbies. In many cases, they’re worth hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars. And here’s the important part: your standard homeowners insurance may only cover a limited amount for these items. 

That can become a big problem if something is stolen, damaged, or destroyed. 

What Is a Personal Articles Floater? 

To properly protect valuable items like these, we often recommend a policy called a personal articles floater. 

A personal articles floater is designed specifically for items that have a higher or more specific value than typical household belongings. Instead of lumping everything together under general contents coverage, this policy allows you to list individual items and their appraised value. 

For example, let’s say you own a rare David Bowie album that’s worth significantly more than a standard record. If it’s scheduled on a personal articles floater, your policy will clearly show its insured value. 

So if a claim happens, the process becomes much simpler:
You can say, “That item was listed for this amount.”
The insurance company sees it documented on the policy.
And the claim can be paid based on that agreed value. 

No guesswork. No arguing over what it was worth after the fact. 

Yes, Even Collections Count 

This kind of coverage isn’t just for jewelry or fine art. We’ve helped insure everything from photography equipment to full collections, even a Star Wars memorabilia collection. 

If it has real value and would be difficult or expensive to replace, it’s worth asking whether it should be covered separately. 

Why Listing Items Ahead of Time Matters 

The key with a personal articles floater is planning ahead. After a loss is not the time to try to prove what something was worth. By listing items in advance: 

• You establish their value upfront 

• Claims are smoother and faster 

• You reduce the risk of being underpaid 

• You gain peace of mind knowing your treasures are protected 

It’s one of those small steps that can make a big difference if the unexpected happens. 

Gibb Insurance Services: Helping You Protect What Matters 

At Gibb Insurance Services, we help clients look beyond just the basics. Your home isn’t only walls and furniture, it’s the meaningful items you’ve collected over time. 

If you have valuables like art, jewelry, collectibles, or specialty equipment, we’re happy to review your coverage and see whether a personal articles floater makes sense for you. 

Because protecting your memories and investments should be just as important as protecting your home.