With the one year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy still on the minds of many, and with the current weather patterns creating havoc across the nation, appraiser David J. Goldberg announces an appraisal service for collectors that can prevent a weather disaster from becoming an insurance disaster.

Mr. Goldberg is the New Orleans appraiser that handled more than 150 contested insurances cases after Hurricane Katrina. His focus now is on helping collectors prevent personal losses in the wake of future weather disasters. "The importance of being adequately prepared cannot be overstated," Mr. Goldberg stated. "The one component most emergency preparedness-programs do not mention is the urgency of having a pre-disaster appraisal of art, antiques, jewelry and heirlooms. That requires a specific rider backed up by a replacement value appraisal, which my company now offers." 

Most policies do not cover a flooded basement that damages your personal computer or an antique statue that is accidentally broken. Add-on coverage should be based on a realistic appraisal of  the replacement value of  fine art, jewelry and antiques. Mr. Goldberg, an art and antiques appraiser for more than 30 years, now travels the country providing collectors with in-depth appraisals that meet the criteria insurance companies demand.

He says, "Most people tend to rely upon a homeowners policy when what is needed is a specific insurance rider that covers the replacement value of antiques, art, valuable and unusual items or collectibles that require special attention." As a case in point, he refers to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the first of a series of hurricanes. In that case unless individuals had special insurance that was carefully taken out to protect specific items with appraisals from well-qualified appraisers, claims were denied instantly by nearly all of the major insurance companies.  The situation was re-played after Hurricane Sandy. 

Mr. Goldberg advises collectors to work with an experienced appraiser from one of the major national organizations (AAA, ISA, ASA, or CAGA). He, like his colleagues, knows this kind of an appraisal must include detailed measurements, notes on provenance, photographs, and receipts, in addition to other information. 

The replacement value appraisal reflects the amount of money it will it cost to replace adequately replace a lost or damaged item. "Replacement," he says, "should be through a gallery that sells comparable items at gallery or retail prices. Thus, when such an appraisal is made, the appraiser makes certain that the client is protected enough to be able to find the lost item in  a matter of a few weeks, at most. "

Knowlegeable and legitimate appraisers understand the important nuances involved in valuation of fine items.  They make it their mission to satisfy clients’ needs so that the client who has, for example, paid $9,000 for a Georgian armchair, can go to a  shop that sells real Georgian furniture.  Or for a client who has just paid $15,000 for a pair of Sevres cobalt blue vases, circa 1865.  Such articles require a very careful inventorying by the appraiser, including photographs, for example.  Even if an item is inherited, the expert appraiser understands how much a Tiffany tall case clock would cost at a Madison Avenue gallery, for example.

"Unless the insurance client wants trouble down the road in case of natural disaster, he/she should make every effort to contact an appraiser who sees it as his main goal to protect the client from the potential disaster that could occur if he is not properly protected on paper.  This is the only way to keep a weather disaster from becoming an  insurance disaster.  The stress of damage is enough. No one needs the added burden of contesting a claim."

David J. Goldberg, who has appraised museum collections and private collections, is based in New Orleans, and is opening an office in Houston. For more information, Mr. Goldberg can be reached at 504-282-7611, or via the contact page at www.appraisalgroupusa.com