Appraisal,insurance,early musical instruments,value,Expert,valuation,certificates

A specialised expert alone is able to determine the authenticity and value of a given item and there are a number of reasons for calling on his services.

When you purchase such an object, you should insist on a written guarantee. This document is not simply an invoice indicating the name of the object but rather an explanatory certificate containing a detailed description of the object with the exact dimensions and stating the period of construction. If the description does not correspond exactly to the object in question, the purchaser has a period of five years from the time of discovery of a mistake, defect or theft, with no recourse after a period of 30 years. The expert and the seller are thus jointly responsible throughout this period.

Do not wait till you have been burgled to establish the value of your property.

In the event of a claim, you will be asked to provide justification of the authenticity and value of the goods you have lost before you can be reimbursed. A standard "home and contents" insurance policy covers you for a nominal sum, which you yourself indicate, thus fixing the value of all your possessions together. Works of art and period furniture generally represent only 30% of this sum and in some cases less.
If you have any works of art or period furniture, it is in your interest to ask your insurer to establish a certified value and to seek the advice of an approved expert, who alone will be able to determine the exact value of these possessions.

Insurance companies distinguish between two categories of objects of value:

objects that are of value by virtue of their rnature(jewellery,furs,silverware,paintings),

objects that are of value by virtue of their price (because of their rarity or age).

In any case, it is essential to bear in mind that individual insurance companies have their own way of defining objects of value. Close examination of your insurance policy will very often show that no cover is provided for medals, stamp collections, jewellery, gold, etc. You should ask your insurer about this.

Expert valuation is essential in cases of inheritance or sharing (e.g. donations, divorce) in order to complete the tax declaration required by the authorities, particularly in the case of deaths. In this event, the advice of a specialised expert must be sought by the heirs to the estate in order to determine the value.

Points to remember

You will be able to claim more in the event of theft, fire or other incidents if you have proof of the actual worth of the objects you have lost. A prior expert valuation constitutes the sole irrefutable proof of the existence of such objects.

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