Why a homeowners policy won't protect your collection.
Standard homeowners and renters policies were never designed for a six-figure card collection or a signed jersey wall. They cap collectibles, exclude mysterious disappearance, and pay depreciated value. Specialty collectibles coverage through BetterHelp Insurance is built differently.
Specialty collectibles coverage vs. a standard homeowners policy
| Feature | Specialty collectibles coverage | Standard homeowners |
|---|---|---|
| Valuation | Agreed value — paid up to 150% of scheduled value on a covered total loss | Actual cash value or sub-limited replacement cost |
| Items covered | Purpose-built for collectibles: cards, memorabilia, watches, art, coins, and more | Collectibles typically capped at a few thousand dollars total |
| Deductible | $0 deductible | Standard deductible applies (often $500–$2,500) |
| Mysterious disappearance | Covered — loss and mysterious disappearance included | Usually excluded |
| Where you're covered | Worldwide — home, shows, transit, and travel | Primarily at the insured residence |
| Appraisal requirement | Appraisal or bill of sale (within 3 yrs) generally required only above ~$25,000 per item ($50,000 for watches) | Scheduling collectibles often requires appraisals with tighter limits |
| Impact on home policy | Standalone — a claim doesn't touch your homeowners policy or premium | A collectibles claim counts against your home policy and can raise rates |
| Newly acquired items | Automatically covered at 25% of the class limit for 90 days | Typically not covered until manually scheduled |
What "agreed value up to 150%" actually means
With agreed value, you and the carrier agree on an item's insured value up front. On a covered total loss, the carrier can pay up to 150% of that scheduled value — recognizing that collectibles appreciate, and that a market-moving card may be worth more than the number on your schedule. A homeowners policy, by contrast, tends to pay depreciated actual cash value, if the item is covered at all.
No deductible, worldwide, and standalone
A $0 deductible means a covered loss is paid without you eating the first several hundred or thousand dollars. Coverage follows your items worldwide — at home, at a show, and in transit. And because the policy is standalone, a claim on your collection doesn't raise your home insurance premium or count against that policy.
Loss & mysterious disappearance
"Mysterious disappearance" — an item that simply goes missing with no explainable cause — is one of the most common collectibles losses and one that homeowners policies routinely exclude. Specialty collectibles coverage includes it.
See what your collection would cost to protect
Build your quote in a few minutes. No premium quoted online — a licensed BetterHelp Insurance agent prepares your quote through our specialty collectibles carriers.
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Coverage is subject to policy terms, underwriting, and carrier approval; availability and thresholds vary by state. Nothing on this page is a bound policy or a binding quote. Insurance is offered through BetterHelp Insurance, a licensed agency appointed with specialty collectibles carriers including WAX. Figures and limits described reflect general program guidelines and may change.