Taxidermy can be a rewarding hobby for many people, but without the proper coverage, your stuffed and mounted animals are vulnerable to all kinds of losses. Some people mistakenly believe that their homeowners insurance pays for all losses related to taxidermied animals when this isn't typically the case. However, having separate taxidermy insurance can help ensure that you can recover the monetary value of your stuffed and mounted animals in the event of an accident.
An independent insurance agent can help you get set up with all the taxidermy insurance you may need. They'll ensure you walk away with the proper blend of coverage and cost. But up first, here's a breakdown of taxidermy insurance and when and why you might need it.
Key Takeaways - Taxidermy Insurance
- Many home insurance policies provide some coverage for taxidermied animals under the personal property or contents section.
- Some home insurance policies specifically exclude taxidermy coverage, so a separate policy may be required.
- If you have taxidermied animals for a business, you'll need a separate taxidermy insurance policy.
- You can get more coverage for your taxidermied animals by listing or scheduling them on your home insurance policy or by buying a separate taxidermy insurance policy.
- Working with an independent insurance agent is highly recommended, as they can help you compare coverage options from multiple carriers and tailor a policy to your unique collection.
What Is Taxidermy Insurance?
Taxidermy insurance is a separate insurance policy that covers damaged, destroyed, or stolen taxidermied animals. While your taxidermied animals may be covered up to your homeowners insurance policy's limits in the personal property or contents coverage section, this isn't enough coverage for everyone's collection. If you have a large taxidermy collection that exceeds the coverage in your home insurance, you may want to get additional protection through a separate policy.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Taxidermy?
In many cases, yes, homeowners insurance provides at least some coverage for taxidermied animals under the personal property or contents section. Unfortunately, many hunters mistakenly believe their home insurance policy will cover the total loss of all of their mounted or stuffed animals. While most homeowners policies provide coverage for fire, theft, and damage of personal property under contents insurance, taxidermy can sometimes be listed as an exclusion. So it’s essential to know your coverage type, its limits, and what it protects against.
Additionally, most homeowners policies don’t protect against shipping damage to taxidermy animals or damage due to flooding. Taxidermy insurance pays for repairs to damaged taxidermy animals and replacement costs if they are stolen. Some taxidermy insurance policies will even cover the costs of a replacement hunt if you’re willing to pay a higher premium.
When Taxidermy Is Covered Under Homeowners Insurance
You may need to list or schedule your taxidermied animals on your home insurance policy to ensure they're covered, especially if they're particularly valuable or you have a large collection. Unless your home insurance policy specifically excludes coverage for taxidermied animals, it should cover your stuffed or mounted animals from the following:
- Fire
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Certain types of water damage
You'll need to review your home insurance policy's contents coverage limits with the help of your independent insurance agent to be certain you have enough protection for your taxidermied animals. It's also important to know if you have actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost coverage for your animals. ACV coverage factors in depreciation, while replacement cost coverage will pay to replace your animals at their original value.
When Homeowners Insurance Doesn't Cover Taxidermy
Some home insurance policies specifically exclude taxidermied animals from contents or personal property coverage. Otherwise, policies may exclude coverage for taxidermied animals in the following ways:
- Wear and tear damage
- Damage due to improper storage
- Pest or insect damage
- Natural flooding damage
Your independent insurance agent can help you review your home insurance policy to determine its coverage exclusions for taxidermy.
When You Need Separate or Additional Taxidermy Insurance
If taxidermy is a regular hobby, practice, or even business for you, special, separate coverage might be required. Your stuffed or mounted taxidermy animals can be valuable, and repairing or replacing them out of pocket following a disaster like a fire could be expensive.
You might consider getting taxidermy insurance if:
- You've invested a significant amount of money into taxidermy work.
- You have a large collection of multiple taxidermy animals, appraised at a sizeable value.
- You have any high-value or rare mounted animals.
- You have any antique or historical animals.
- You have taxidermied animals for professional or commercial use.
- Your homeowners coverage is not sufficient to cover the value of any or all of your taxidermy animals.
If you're still unsure whether you need extra taxidermy insurance or if your home insurance is sufficient, ask an independent insurance agent. They can review your coverage and determine if a separate taxidermy insurance policy is necessary.
How to Insure Taxidermied Animals Properly
Have your collection of taxidermy animals appraised to ensure you get set up with the appropriate amount of insurance. Be sure to keep an updated inventory of everything in case you need to file a claim for a loss. Appraisal documents, photographs, and videos can help an appraiser and your insurance company determine the value of your collection, the amount of insurance necessary, and your settlement amount if you make a claim. You'll likely need to update your appraisals every few years.
Insurance policies vary in how they define value for any given item. If you have an actual cash value policy, you will receive the fair market value of your trophies minus depreciation. If you have replacement cost value, you will receive much more in a claim settlement. In taxidermy policies, replacement cost is typically defined as the cost to purchase the item new in the current market.
Certain carriers offer taxidermy insurance policies that provide comprehensive coverage for an agreed value. Trophy replacement insurance policies cover the risks that your homeowners policy may not. Just be aware that most policies require you to pay a deductible before a claim is paid.
How Much Does Taxidermy Insurance Cost?
If you need taxidermy insurance for a business, the average cost ranges from $500 to $1,000 per year for basic coverage, which includes general liability, professional liability, and commercial property insurance. However, if you're just adding more coverage to your home insurance policy, the cost will vary depending on how large and valuable your collection is. Other factors that can influence the cost of taxidermy coverage are:
- The overall value of the collection
- Your location
- Whether the coverage is for business or personal use
- Your claims history
Scheduling your taxidermied animals on your home insurance policy is typically very affordable, unless you have a large collection or pieces that are very high in value. An independent insurance agent can help you find the most affordable taxidermy insurance option near you.
Common Taxidermy Insurance Mistakes to Avoid
It can be too easy to make a mistake when insuring your taxidermied animals. These mistakes can lead to denied claims or reduced payouts. Being aware of these common taxidermy insurance mistakes can help you avoid them and receive the reimbursement you deserve.
- Assuming full coverage under standard contents insurance: It's critical to review your home insurance coverage limits in all categories, especially contents or personal property, when you have taxidermy. Know the value of your collection and if it exceeds the limits in your home insurance. If it does, you'll need to add more coverage.
- Not updating appraisals: Typically, insurance companies need appraisals to be updated every couple or every few years to keep valuations current. Market price fluctuations can happen quickly, and you want to be sure your taxidermy collection is appraised according to current standards.
- Underinsuring rare pieces: If any of your animals are particularly valuable, you'll need to ensure that you get enough coverage to fully repair or replace them in case of a total loss.
- Using incorrect property classifications: Be sure you understand how your taxidermy needs to be classified on your home insurance policy so that coverage applies in the event of a disaster. Failure to list or schedule your taxidermy animals properly can result in you not having the coverage you thought you would.
An independent insurance agent can help you avoid all of these common taxidermy insurance mistakes and ensure that you have all the coverage you need.
An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Find the Right Taxidermy Insurance
Independent insurance agents have access to multiple insurance companies, ultimately finding you the best taxidermy insurance coverage, accessibility, and competitive pricing while working for you. They can help ensure you walk away with enough insurance to meet your needs with the best possible blend of coverage and cost. And down the road, your agent can help you file claims or update your coverage when necessary.
FAQs About Taxidermy Insurance
Is taxidermy considered a collectible?
In certain cases, yes, taxidermy can be considered a collectible under homeowners insurance. Review your specific policy to be certain of how you need to list or schedule your taxidermied animals.
Can I insure hunting trophies?
Yes, it's possible to insure hunting trophies. Work with an independent insurance agent to add enough coverage under your home insurance or buy a separate policy if necessary.
Is taxidermy covered while in storage or transit?
Possibly, yes, but it depends on your policy. Review your home insurance policy's coverage terms with your independent insurance agent to determine if you need additional coverage for taxidermy animals that are in storage or transit.
Do insurance companies need taxidermy to be appraised?
Yes, insurance companies require appraisals of taxidermy to assign the appropriate amount of coverage. You'll need to have appraisals complete before adding coverage to your home insurance policy.
How often do appraisals need to be updated for taxidermy animals?
The answer depends on your specific home insurance company, since they all have different requirements. However, many insurance companies require personal property appraisals to be updated every two to five years.
Sources
https://ekinsurance.com/small-business/taxidermy-insurance/
