Art Gallery Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages an art gallery business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for art galleries and dealers. Priorities reflect typical exposure; confirm against owned, consigned, and in-transit values.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Art (Owned & Consigned) | Covers inventory and works held for artists and collectors. | Core | |
| Transit & Art Fair Coverage | Covers works on the way to fairs, clients, and framers — often limited unless scheduled. | Core | |
| General Liability | Covers visitor injuries at the gallery and events. | Core | |
| Crime | Covers employee theft and payment fraud. | Prevalent | |
| Cyber Liability | Covers email payment fraud and online sales data. | Prevalent | |
| Professional Liability | Covers appraisal and advisory errors. | Situational | |
| Liquor Liability | Needed for openings that serve alcohol. | Situational |
The coverage gap most often missed
The most commonly missed gap for this class is art in transit. Works are most at risk when they move to fairs, clients, and framers, and many policies limit transit or exclude consigned works not listed. Galleries should confirm consigned and in-transit limits, use professional shippers, and document condition every time a work leaves and returns.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your art gallery coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Art Gallery Insurance · Art Gallery Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does an art gallery business need?
The core coverages for an art gallery business are Fine Art (Owned & Consigned), Transit & Art Fair Coverage, General Liability. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my art gallery coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.