What value applies when insured coins are lost or stolen?
Scheduled coins are paid at their declared agreed value, while non-scheduled collections under specialty policies are settled at fair market value drawn from recent auction results, dealer transactions, or recognized publications. Face value and generic printed price lists are not the measure, and insurers routinely reject appraisals that rely on them.
Does homeowners insurance actually cover a coin collection?
Barely. The ISO HO-3 form that underlies most policies caps money, bullion, and coins at about $200 combined, per policy rather than per item, regardless of the home's overall coverage. A collection of any consequence needs scheduling or a dedicated collectibles policy, or the claim payment will be nominal.
What documentation do insurers expect for coins?
A per-coin inventory listing date, mint mark, denomination, variety, grade, certification number, and value, with obverse and reverse photographs. Insurers commonly require professional appraisals once items exceed roughly $2,500 to $10,000, expect items over $5,000 to be individually scheduled, and may treat appraisals older than two to five years as stale.
How do grading disagreements affect a claim?
They are the core of most disputes: adjusters lean toward conservative grades and dealer buy prices, while owners with third-party grading certificates and documented auction comparables for equivalent coins can support substantially higher settlements. For theft losses, insurers also expect a police report and a sworn proof of loss itemizing each coin.