In a world where a mint-condition Babe Ruth baseball card can fetch millions at auction, it stands to reason that insurance for sports collectibles might need a little more muscle than your average homeowners’ policy. Recognizing the unique perils faced by sports memorabilia enthusiasts, NFP, a leader in property and casualty brokerage, has teamed up with Berkley Asset Protection to create a specialized insurance program just for Canadian collectors.
The new initiative, which marries the expertise of NFP with the finesse of Berkley Asset Protection, promises to wrap collectors’ cherished memorabilia in a security blanket fit for a rookie card with a pristine gloss. Greg Dunn, Managing Director of Personal Risk at NFP in Canada, spearheads this program with a deep understanding that to collect sports memorabilia is not merely to hoard relics of sports history, but to invest in items of substantial value. This program, he notes, is concocted precisely to fill the chasms left by standard insurance offerings, with specific measures tailored towards the harrowing moment of purchase and the fraught journey of items in transition.
Understanding that the path from acquisition to display case is fraught with peril, the insurance promises automatic coverage for new treasures and includes a safety net for items in transit. Whether your memorabilia is traveling across the city or across the country to dazzle at a show, this program has it covered.
Olivia Cinqmars-Viau, AVP of fine art underwriting at Berkley Asset Protection, has been instrumental in shaping this bespoke policy. Her priority has been ensuring that the policy reflects the nuanced needs of the collecting community. Through tailored features that consider both the financial and emotional investment in sports memorabilia, the program stands as a significant upgrade on more generic policies that typically overlook the specific needs of collectors.
The endorsement from Steve Menzie, president and owner of the Sport Card & Memorabilia Expo, Canada’s largest such event, underscores the program’s timeliness and necessity. Menzie, who has seen firsthand the blend of passionate collection and savvy investment at his expos, appreciates that while the heart may swell at the sight of a rare find, the mind should rest easy knowing that investment is properly safeguarded. His support lends considerable weight, signaling to collectors that the financial aspects of their hobby are no longer relegated to the sidelines.
Adding an additional layer of customer service, NFP’s Personal Risk team plans to roll out the red carpet for collectors at the upcoming Sport Card & Memorabilia Expo in Toronto. Between April 25-28, attendees can engage directly with experts from NFP to delve into the particulars of this innovative insurance program. This face-to-face interaction is part of NFP’s commitment to comprehensive client education and personalized service, ensuring that every collector walks away with a clear understanding of how their treasures are protected.
So, as the doors open to the Toronto expo later this month, Canadian collectors will have something extra to celebrate: a new kind of peace of mind. NFP’s infusion into the collector’s insurance market reflects a broader ambition to address niche needs with a combination of global resources and local expertise—it’s an illustrative example of how specialized markets can drive innovation in seemingly staid industries. With more than 1,000 staff stationed across Canada and over 8,000 worldwide, NFP is not just dipping a toe into collector’s insurance but diving in headfirst with a splash that promises to ripple across the collectibles landscape, offering new protections that acknowledge both the heart and the treasure of collecting.
