Art transport insurance: your artwork covered at its real value
A 2 kg painting valued at €5,000 is damaged during transport. With the carrier’s liability alone, calculated by weight, compensation comes to around €46. With Moviiu ad valorem insurance, it is calculated on the value you declared: restoration costs, loss of value, or even the full €5,000 if the artwork is lost.
This difference is why insurance is the most important option in your quote. It takes one click, costs 1% of the artwork’s value and protects the piece from collection to delivery, with no deductible.
Why carriers' basic cover is not enough
Express carriers compensate damage according to scales set by international transport conventions. These scales are based on the weight of the parcel, not on the value of its contents. For an artwork, the gap is huge: around €23 per kilo, whereas the value of a painting obviously does not depend on its weight.
On top of that, there are cases where the carrier is not liable at all, for example in the event of force majeure. Without dedicated insurance, the sender then bears the loss alone.
| Example: 2 kg painting, value €5,000 | Carrier’s liability | Moviiu ad valorem insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Basis of calculation | The weight of the parcel | The declared value of the artwork |
| Maximum compensation | Around €46 | €5,000 |
| Deductible | Depends on the carrier’s terms | None |
| Cost to you | Included | €50 (1% of the value) |
Moviiu ad valorem insurance at a glance
“Ad valorem” means “according to value”. Compensation is based on the value you declare when requesting your quote, supported by an invoice, an auction sale slip or an appraisal. To find out more, our article the lowdown on ad valorem insurance explains the principle in detail.
- Cover: up to €100,000 for artworks and €25,000 for jewellery, beyond that on request.
- No deductible: compensation starts from the first euro.
- Price: 1% of the declared value, with a minimum of €20.
- Duration: from collection to delivery, without interruption.
- Subscription: an option to select when requesting your online quote. Cover starts as soon as the order is confirmed and paid.
- Certificate: an insurance certificate is sent to you on request at info@moviiu.com.
How much does insurance cost?
| Declared value of the artwork | Insurance premium |
|---|---|
| €1,500 | €20 (minimum) |
| €5,000 | €50 |
| €30,000 | €300 |
| €100,000 | €1,000 |
| Over €100,000 | Tailor-made offer, subject to the insurer’s approval |
What the insurance covers, and what it does not
What is covered
- Accidental material damage to the artwork during transport: breakage, impact, crushing, tearing.
- Loss of value when the damage remains visible after restoration.
- Irreparable damage or total loss of the artwork, up to the declared value.
- Transport costs in the event of total loss
What is not covered
- Artworks shipped in packaging other than Moviiu’s secure packaging.
- Defects, wear or repairs that existed before collection.
- Indirect or intangible losses: delays, loss of earnings, emotional distress.
- Shipments whose contents do not match the description given when requesting the quote.
Three levels of compensation
A chip on a frame and a punctured canvas do not call for the same response. Compensation follows art market practice:
| Situation | What is covered |
|---|---|
| Repairable damage | 100% of restoration costs |
| Permanent damage | Restoration costs plus compensation for the artwork’s loss of value |
| Irreparable damage or total loss | The declared value of the artwork |
Declaring the value of your artwork correctly
The declared value is the ceiling for compensation. It must be accurate and supported by evidence. A value that is too low limits reimbursement in the event of a claim. A value that is too high does not pay out more, but it increases the duties and taxes charged to the recipient for shipments outside the European Union.
| Your situation | Value to declare | Supporting document |
|---|---|---|
| Collector | Current market value | Purchase invoice or recent appraisal |
| Buyer at auction | The hammer price, buyer’s premium included | The auction sale slip |
| Artist selling a work | The invoiced sale price | The sales invoice |
| Gallery or dealer | The sale price excluding tax | The invoice to the client |
| Heir | The value used for the estate | Inventory or appraisal report |
All scenarios are covered in detail in our guide to declared value and art transport.
Two conditions to be covered
1. Travel in Moviiu's secure packaging
The insurance is linked to our transport packaging: a reinforced triple-wall cardboard box, lined with high-density foam and made to the artwork’s dimensions. This is what allows the insurer to guarantee protection. An artwork shipped in your own crate or box cannot be insured by us. With the white glove option, our packers pack the piece and the insurance applies in the same way.
2. Keep a record of the artwork's condition at departure
- In Autonomous mode: take clear photos of the artwork before closing the box, then of the closed box with the shipping label visible.
- With white glove: our handlers inspect the artwork at collection and photograph any existing defects. This report serves as the reference condition.
These photos are your best evidence. Without them, the insurer may refuse a claim.
Galleries and professionals: complement your own policy
Many galleries and art dealers already have a transport insurance policy, often with a cap. You have two options:
- Book your transport without Moviiu insurance, if your own policy covers transit.
- Use Moviiu insurance as a complement, for artworks whose value exceeds your policy’s cap.
For auction houses, the insurance is based on the hammer price shown on the sale slip, fees included.
In the event of damage: what to do
- On delivery, if the box is dented, torn or wet, tell the delivery driver before signing, for example “subject to reservation: damaged box”.
- Within 72 hours of delivery, write to info@moviiu.com with “urgent: reservations” in the subject line.
- Attach photos of the damage, of the outer packaging, even if intact, and of the inner protections. If you have them, add a restoration quote and proof of value.
- Keep the artwork and its packaging, and allow an expert to inspect them if the insurer requests it.
- The insurer gets back to you within 15 days once the file is complete. For high-value pieces, an independent appraisal may extend this period.
Over €100,000, or for a valuable piece of jewellery
The online quote covers artworks up to €100,000. Beyond that, our team submits a special request to the insurer, who reviews each case before accepting cover. Write to us at info@moviiu.com stating the nature of the artwork, its value and the route.
For watches and jewellery, online subscription is available up to €10,000. Beyond that, our team reviews your case to offer you suitable cover. Discover our dedicated service for precious items on our watch and jewellery transport page.
Practical examples
| Situation | Declared value | Premium and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| A collector ships a framed print from Lyon to Brussels in Autonomous mode | €3,000 | €30. Photos of the artwork before closing the box, then of the sealed parcel. |
| A buyer has a bronze sold for €18,000 in Paris delivered to Geneva | €22,500 (hammer price and buyer’s premium) | €225. White glove collection with condition report, sale slip as proof. |
| A gallery sends a €140,000 canvas to New York | €140,000 | Outside the online quote: special request to the insurer via info@moviiu.com. |
Frequently asked questions about transport insurance
Can I insure an artwork I packed myself?
No. The insurance only applies to shipments packed in Moviiu’s secure packaging, designed to withstand the shocks and vibrations of express transport.
When does the insurance take effect?
As soon as your order is confirmed and paid. The artwork is then covered from collection to delivery.
Which document serves as proof of value?
A purchase invoice, an auction sale slip, a sales invoice or a professional appraisal.
Are transport costs reimbursed in the event of a claim?
No. The insurance covers the declared value of the artwork. Shipping and packaging costs are not included in the compensation.
Can I get an insurance certificate?
Yes, on request at info@moviiu.com, once your transport is confirmed.
What is the difference with “nail-to-nail” insurance?
Nail-to-nail insurance covers an artwork from the moment it is taken down until it is returned, exhibition included. It is taken out by the exhibition organiser. Moviiu insurance covers the transport, from collection to delivery.
Your artwork deserves to be covered at its value, not its weight. Add insurance in one click when requesting your quote.