Apr
04
How to Store Valuable Collections When Moving

Preview

When planning a move, it's essential to consider what you'll do with your valuable collections. Whether you're decluttering your current house, moving to a smaller home, or relocating to a new city, transporting your prized collectibles to storage can be stressful.

It doesn't have to be.

Your high-value items can stay safe and secure by creating an inventory, updating your insurance, and finding the proper storage solution. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about storing valuable collections when moving.

Run the Numbers: Inventory Your Collection

The first step is to take inventory of your collection. This will help you determine what needs to be packed and best protect each item. Make a list of each item, including a description and any identifying information. If possible, take pictures of your collection. This will come in handy if something gets lost or damaged during the move.

A detailed inventory is valuable for more than just moving — it can come in handy anytime you need to reference the overall value of your collection for sales, insurance, or new purchases.

To inventory your collection, start by getting everything in the same room. This can be challenging, depending on what you collect. Large items like sculptures, oil paintings, and automobiles might be hard to get into a single space. Just make sure your entire collection is in a central location, where you can easily access every piece.

Start by taking pictures of the items in your collection. This will help you keep track of each piece and give you a visual reference if anything gets lost or damaged during the move. It can also be helpful to include any identifying information, such as the artist’s name, the date of creation, and the item’s value.

Next, create a spreadsheet to track your inventory. You don't need to be a wizard; a simple display will work well. The first column should be the piece's title, and subsequent columns can provide a more detailed description and identifying information. The last column should be the item's estimated value expressed in dollars.

When every item has been entered into the spreadsheet, the total sum of every number in the value column will tell you what your entire collection is worth.

Insure Your Collection With a Custom Plan

Once you know the value of your collection, it's time to insure it. Your homeowners or renters insurance policy might already cover your valuables, but there are usually limits on how much and what types of events are covered.

If you decide to get a separate policy for your collection, make sure to shop around and compare prices to get the best deal.

Most home insurance policies apply to personal items, including artwork, books, antiques, watches, and shoes. If your current homeowner's policy doesn't apply to the items in your collection, you can work with your agency to customize your program to cover the entire inventory.

The easiest way to do this is by creating custom category limits that already exist in your plan. Use the values in your spreadsheet to determine how much of your plan should be allocated to each category.

If customizing your plan is too complicated, you can research specialized collectibles insurance plans that apply to your unique collection. You might also choose to get storage insurance on items that aren’t coming to the new home.

Should It Stay or Should it Go (to Storage)?

During the inventory and insuring process, you may realize that there isn't room in your new home for all of the items in your collection. Decluttering for a move is a great way to start fresh. However, it doesn't mean you have to sell everything. Holding your valuables in a storage unit keeps them safe as they appreciate in value.

When it comes to choosing a storage location, there are three main criteria you should prioritize:

Climate control. A climate-controlled storage unit is essential for many valuables. For example, when storing a wine collection, you'll want a low-humidity room that can be kept cool.

On-site security. The purpose of using a storage unit is to keep your items safe. When evaluating storage units, look for automated gates, security systems, and cameras.

Fair long-term rates. If you're storing your collection long-term, be sure to compare prices to get the best deal possible.

Pack to Last: Packing Tips That Preserve Valuables in Storage

Packing for a move can be a tedious process, but with the right strategy, you can safely store your most valuable possessions for a stress-free move.

Again, the inventory you made comes in handy. You can use it to help organize your valuables by category. You can also designate which items are coming with you and which ones are going to the storage unit.

Some items, like statues and vases, might need special packaging to avoid damage. Smaller collectibles, like paintings and jewelry, can be stored in more standard boxes. Outlining all of this in your inventory can ensure that you purchase the right amount of moving materials and properly protect fragile items in storage.

Before placing everything in a box, be sure to clean it first. As the expert on your collection, you know which cleaning products and methods do and don't work for your possessions. Generally speaking, most valuable items can be cleaned with a gentle vacuum, a feather duster, or a microfiber cloth. Add some moisture-absorbing packets to every box as needed.

Avoid labeling the box with any information that reveals its contents or estimated value. Moving company theft is an unfortunate reality. Even when you hire a reputable moving source, many variables are at play. Labeling certain boxes as "valuable" might attract bad actors.

Still, you don't want to give the impression that these boxes can be handled with the same rigor as bedsheets or other unbreakable items. Simply mark the boxes as "fragile." This tells movers that they need to proceed with caution without compromising security.

As you apply labels, consider adding a counting system to keep track of your boxes. For example, if your collection requires ten boxes, label them "1 of 10," "2 of 10," and so on to make it easy to ensure everything is accounted for when you arrive.

Checking On Your Collection While It's In Storage

If your collection requires regular maintenance, you'll want to be sure you can easily access it while it's in storage. This might require some advance planning to ensure your storage unit is close to home.

It's also a good idea to visit your collection every few months. Without unpacking everything, look inside the boxes and update your inventory spreadsheet with the time and date of your visit and any important notes. This will help you catch any potential problems early and avoid damage to your valuables.

Store Your Valuables With Ease

If you're gearing up for a move, don't worry - storing your valuables doesn't have to be complicated. By taking inventory of your collection, ensuring it, and packing it securely, you can rest assured that your treasures will make the journey safely. And if you're feeling extra cautious, consider checking on your collection while it's in storage. With these tips, storing collectibles can be easier than ever.

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