killerhales

After moving from Australia in February last year I have one item left there. I didn't ship it with the rest of my stuff because it is quite precious, but I realise now I should have.

It's a small painting, slightly bigger than A4 size, worth around USD30,000.

My original plan was for a relative to personally bring it over on a visit to the UK, but I have been unable to get insurance for this. I don't think it's fair to go down this route, even as hand-luggage, without insurance, as how would they feel if they happened to lose it?! I can only get insurance if it is shipped by someone like Crown.

So my plan at the moment is to go across myself to pick it up (this is way cheaper than getting it shipped plus insurance). It wouldn't be insured but at least if I lose it it is my own fault!

Before I organise this does anyone else have any bright ideas?

Pollyana

Isn't there an ordinary travel insurance policy that your relative could use with the picture as a declared item for specific insurance? I've never done it but I know you can insure things like jewellery and laptops as "named items" on some policies?

dunroving

Maybe call Lloyds of London? They must deal with situations like this ... and sometimes these things cost less than we expect.

Or sell it and buy a car.

ldollard

I agree, although I think dunroving was joking, why not just sell it and transfer the money, seems easier and cheaper to me.

vikingsail

I once had a similar issue with some paintings, although somewhat larger than yours, and not with items as expensive. I elected to fly them as personally carried hand luggage myself LON - NY.

This was pre 911 and still I had an awful time processing through security. They wanted to 'pry them from my hands' and run them through the security scanners etc. i did not want that to happen....Once on the plane they wanted to store them out of sight down below! Got the paintings through in the end.

I suppose in your scenario if it is only A4 size and can be wrapped in a carryon bag then that is not an issue.

Contrary to others, I think I would go and get it as you seem (like me) concerned with the possession of it. Third parties, even shipping will just instill further concern and worry and if they lose it and even if its insured in triplicate there is still the headache of trying to claim, and for an item like yours I imagine that would be an absolute nightmare and certainly not something I would want to do if it could be avoided.

BristolUK

I think there's a movie to make about this.

killerhales

Thanks for the replies. I've tried a couple of specialist brokers but not Lloyds themselves, with no joy so far.
The other factor of course is that it's a great excuse to spend a few days back in Sydney!!
I'm not going to sell the painting! In case anyone is interested, it is painted by Alan Bean (the 4th man on the moon).

jemima55

I can understand the valuation now! For an astronaut he is a fabulous painter.
I saw an exhibition of his paintings in the Smithsonian Air and Space museum, and was really impressed, which doesn't happen often, but his work is remarkable. Also, I was curious what his paintings sold for, now I know!!!
Ok, I am jealous!

Pollyana

Might also be worth contacting the airline you plan to use, find out what their procedures would be - can you bring it on as hand luggage (depending on size) etc....