In a world where the value of a mint-condition Babe Ruth baseball card or a Wayne Gretzky rookie card can climb higher than Mount Logan, Canadian sports memorabilia enthusiasts have long navigated the risky waters of collecting without the safety net of adequate insurance. That is, until now. NFP, a leading property and casualty broker, alongside Berkley Asset Protection, has unveiled a new insurance program tailor-made for these passionate collectors, aiming to secure their prized possessions with the care and precision of a well-executed slapshot.
Traditionally, the average homeowner’s insurance policy might cover your grandmother’s china or your flat-screen TV, but when it comes to a high-value sports collector’s plethora of priceless treasures, these policies can strike out faster than a nervous rookie at his first at-bat. Recognizing this significant gap, NFP’s intuitive program promises to envelop collectors’ assets with comprehensive coverage that begins from the thrilling moment of purchase.
Greg Dunn, the Managing Director of Personal Risk at NFP in Canada, is a man who understands the nerves that can accompany adding a six-figure piece of sports history to one’s collection. His insights were crucial in shaping a program that ensures each new acquisition is automatically covered from potential risks, including those encountered during transit. After all, the journey from an auction block to a display case can be fraught with perils, not unlike a hockey puck flying at high velocity.
Into this arena steps Olivia Cinqmars-Viau, AVP of fine art underwriting at Berkley Asset Protection, wielding a customized insurance solution as deftly as a fencer wields a foil. Her experience underscores the specialized demands of memorabilia collectors – a niche class that’s swelling as rapidly as fans in a stadium during a playoff game. Cinqmars-Viau’s craftsmanship in policy-making ensures that each insured collector can sleep as peacefully as a fan after a championship win, knowing their collection is safe.
Meanwhile, Steve Menzie, president and owner of the Sport Card & Memorabilia Expo – essentially the Stanley Cup finals for memorabilia enthusiasts – also champions this innovative program. For many visitors to the expo, their collections represent not just significant financial investments but also deeply cherished emotional connections to their favorite sports icons and moments. Menzie’s endorsement of the NFP and Berkley collaboration highlights its crucial role in helping enthusiasts safeguard these treasures against the unpredictable fouls of fate.
As the heartbeats of collectors quicken with excitement at the upcoming Sport Card & Memorabilia Expo in Toronto, the NFP’s Personal Risk team is gearing up to be the MVPs of the event. Their booth will undoubtedly be a hub of activity where collectors can dive deeper into the nuances of the new insurance offerings and perhaps share a story or two about their collections. Such interactions are part of the fabric of the expo, weaving together shared passions and community spirit.
This strategic play by NFP not only serves an immediate need but also positions them firmly as a forward-thinking leader in niche insurance solutions, catering to a community whose needs have been sideline for too long. With a strong team in Canada and a global presence, NFP’s commitment to specialty insurance services continues to grow, much like the value of a rare collectible in the right market conditions.
By bridging the gap between risk and reward, NFP and Berkley Asset Protection are ensuring that collectors can continue to chase their passions without hesitation, secure in the knowledge that their investments, both financial and emotional, are comprehensively protected. So, as collectors prepare their budgets and wishlists for their next big acquisition, they can rest assured that their new treasures will have a safe home from the moment they make them their own.
