Pennsylvania Home Insurance and Your Wine Collection

A popular collecting trend over the last ten years has been wine. This potentially lucrative and interesting hobby is often enjoyed by homeowners. It’s a smart idea to check your Pennsylvania home insurance policy to see if it extends coverage to your wine collection.

Unfortunately, antique, rare or expensive items such as collections, jewelry, paintings and other works of art aren’t generally covered by a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. These items are usually insured through an addition to your existing home insurance known as a “rider” or “floater”. Although there may be a limit to the amount claimable, there usually isn’t a deductible to pay in the event of a claim being made.

It’s important that you keep an accurate record of the value of your collection and the particulars of each bottle of wine. While not mandatory, a current photograph of your collection may help support your insurance claim and the police investigation in the event that your collection is stolen.

For very large or exceptionally expensive wine collections, it may be a better option for you to invest in a separate insurance policy specifically to cover your collection. The best way to do this is to get a formal appraisal of your collection so you know exactly how much coverage you need and then discuss your requirements with your Pennsylvania home insurance agent.

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