04 June 2026
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Whether you collect diecast models, trading cards, stamps, memorabilia, toys, or antiques, understanding how to value and protect your collection is important.
We asked specialist collectables insurer Assetsure to answer some of the most common questions collectors have about insurance, valuations and protecting their collections.
Are Collectables Covered by Home Insurance?
Many collectors assume their collection is automatically covered under their household insurance policy. However, policies often include limits on collections and individual items.
Before relying on your home insurance, check:
- Any maximum collection limits
- Single-item limits
- What happens if the value of your collection exceeds those limits
- Any security requirements
- What is and isn't covered
According to Assetsure, specialist insurance can provide wider protection and may be more suitable for high-value collections or individual items.
How do I Know what my Collection is Worth?
For insurance purposes, Assetsure suggests insuring collections at their current market value.
To understand the current value of your collection, you can check specialist publications such as Toy Collectors Price Guide 2026 , speak to a professional valuation service or review recent auction and eBay sale results.
Diecast Collector and Collectors Gazette regularly feature eBuys round-ups, highlighting notable recent eBay sales, alongside dedicated price guide sections covering diecast, toys, tinplate, railways and other collectable categories. These can be a useful way to keep track of changing market values.
Markets can change quickly, so it's important to review values regularly.
Why Should I Keep an Inventory?
A detailed inventory can be invaluable if you ever need to make a claim.
Assetsure recommends keeping:
- Purchase dates
- Prices paid
- Receipts where available
- Photographs of items
- Notes on current values
In the event of a claim, collectors are responsible for proving ownership, existence and value.
Do I Need Specialist Collectables Insurance?
The answer depends on the size and value of your collection.
Many collectors start by relying on their home insurance policy, but specialist insurance can provide cover designed specifically for collectors and may offer wider protection than standard household insurance.
According to Assetsure, specialist insurance may be particularly suitable for high-value collections or individual items that exceed standard household policy limits.
Depending on the policy, specialist insurance can also include protections not typically found under standard home insurance, such as cover for new acquisitions, pairs and sets cover, depreciation cover, defective title cover and death of the artist cover.
If you're unsure whether your current policy provides adequate protection, it's worth reviewing the cover available and checking whether it reflects the current value of your collection.
What Extra Cover Can Specialist Insurance Provide?
Depending on the policy, specialist collectables insurance may include:
- Pairs and sets cover
- Depreciation cover
- Death of the artist cover
- Defective title cover
- Cover for new acquisitions
Assetsure can explain how these protections work and whether they are relevant to your collection.
What Affects the Cost of Collectables Insurance?
According to Assetsure, value is usually the biggest factor affecting premiums.
Other factors can include:
- The location of the collection
- Security arrangements
- The type of collectables involved
Jewellery and watches often attract higher premiums than many traditional collectables such as stamps, paintings and model collections.
What Happens if a Collectable is Damaged?
If a collectable is lost, stolen or damaged, it's important to follow the claims procedure set out in your policy documentation. In the event of theft, the police should be informed as soon as possible.
In some cases, damaged items can be professionally repaired or restored. Assetsure works with experienced restorers where appropriate and aims to work closely with policyholders to achieve a fair outcome.
Even after restoration, a collectable may be worth less than it was before the damage occurred. That's where depreciation cover can help. Depending on the policy terms and conditions, it may provide compensation for any reduction in value following a repair.
What is Depreciation Cover?
A repaired item may still lose value, even after restoration.
Depreciation cover can help compensate for that reduction in value, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
What Collections are People Insuring Today?
Collecting has never been more diverse.
According to Assetsure, collecting interests now extend far beyond traditional collectables, with growing demand for cover across a wide range of categories. Trading cards in particular have seen significant growth in recent years, evolving from a niche hobby into a major collecting market.
Alongside traditional collectables such as stamps, coins and artwork, Assetsure has recently quoted on:
- Pokémon and other trading card collections
- LEGO collections
- Disney dolls
- Original film memorabilia
- Fabergé eggs
- Football memorabilia
This variety highlights how collecting continues to evolve, with both long-established and modern collectables attracting significant interest from enthusiasts.
What's the Biggest Mistake Collectors Make?
According to Assetsure, the most common mistake is assuming a collection is automatically covered by a standard home insurance policy.
Another is failing to keep valuations up to date.
As markets change, collections can become worth significantly more than their owners realise, potentially leaving them underinsured.
The Bottom Line
The first step in protecting any collection is understanding what it's worth today.
Once you know its value, you can make informed decisions about how best to protect it.