A security guard stands beside a painting titled "Untitled (Hospital Series)" by Chinese contemporary artist Zeng Fanzhi during Christie's auction preview in Hong Kong.

Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, announced the launch of Christie’s Insurance Services, a unique insurance service for the sophisticated collector. Bringing together the very best expertise in art and insurance, Christie’s Insurance Services will partner in the UK with Heath Lambert, Europe’s leading independent art insurance broker and Chubb Insurance, the award winning specialist insurance company. Together they will provide Christie’s private clients with bespoke, seamless insurance, that encompasses not only art but all personal insurance needs, including homes, cars, jewelery as well as travel, legal expenses and personal liability. This will enable clients to enjoy their homes, belongings and art collections without the hassle and potential perils of managing multiple policies. Christie’s Insurance Services will initially be available to Christie’s private clients in the UK and to European clients serviced from London.

Jussi Pylkkanen, President of Christie’s Europe said: “Christie’s continues to pride itself as much for its sales of fine art as for the leading art related services that it offers to clients. This high caliber insurance service has been requested by our clients for some time, many of whom buy, sell, store and transport works of art through us. In addition to our valuation services, Christie’s Insurance Services will ensure that their insurance needs are synchronized not only with these collection activities but with their entire lifestyle.”

Simplicity, seamlessness and certainty are at the heart of this unique service. Clients will be able to protect both their art interests and their personal assets through one trusted name – Christie’s – with one contact point, one policy, one renewal date and one premium. In merging the art expertise of Christie’s with the insurance expertise of Heath Lambert and Chubb, any gaps and expensive overlaps that frequently occur with multiple advisors and multiple policies will be eliminated. From start to finish each client’s needs will be understood and managed by a dedicated, close-knit and focused group. Chubb’s market leading policy and worldwide ‘all risks’ cover will bring peace of mind to those with complex lives and asset responsibilities. Chubb’s claim service is also consistently voted the best in the UK.

Simon Mobey, UK & Ireland Personal Insurance Manager for Chubb Insurance said: “As one of the world’s most trusted specialist insurers, we are delighted to be Christie’s preferred partner. Chubb Insurance is unique in providing a free home appraisal for every home it insures, exceptional worldwide ‘all risks’ cover without limiting conditions and a legendary claims service repeatedly voted the best in the UK. Clients also have the certainty of knowing that they are insured by one of the world’s most financially stable insurers with consistently high ratings for financial strength.”

Key features of this insurance service, which will stretch beyond traditional insurance and synchronize with any arrangements clients have with Christie’s Fine Art Security Services, Christie’s Art Transport and the firm’s auction business, will include: a free appraisal service that will review current insurance arrangements for homes and collections, to determine any exclusions or pitfalls; risk management advice on protecting collections and preserving their value; advice on the purchase of insurance cover for a single item of art or a complete collection; and cover for activities such as the loaning or restoration of art. Most significantly, it offers automatic worldwide cover on any new purchase, with more than generous limits.

Richard Northcott, Managing Director of the Art, Jewelery, Private Client Division, Heath Lambert said: “We understand that private individuals expect a discreet, highly confidential and professional service to discuss the protection of their personal assets. We are delighted to be partnering with Christie's and Chubb to offer a broad range of risk management services. This will ensure that Christie's clients receive the right solution, tailored to their individual values, culture and lifestyle, utilising market leading products, while having one point of contact to cover all insurance requirements."