How do you insure your knives?

[corwise]

I was recently adding up how much I've spent on my collection over the past few years, and was surprised how high it had gotten. Busses add up fast. I contacted my insurance agent, and they will insure my knives and guns, but they need to know type/value for everything.
I'm a trying to figure out how to value some of my knives though. For example, my Busse AK-47. It orgionally sold for $587 (according to Busse Collector), I bought it for $850, and depending on a really good day you could get $950+ on the exchange. Or my XM-18, I only paid $350 for it, but I could probably sell it for $500 easy. Is there an official/legal value to report? Other then say "See Bladeforums" how can I prove the values?
And yes, all knives/guns are in the safe (except as I rotate them out to play with), but never hurts to have them insured.

 

[J_Curd]

You can insure them for top market value, but typically a "qualified" appraiser has to certify it...that varies from carrier to carrier...

 

[Dag-nabit]

Bernard Levine will value your collection for you. For a fee of course.

I am guessing that as a recognized knife authority, his valuation would be accepted with respect to an insurance claim.

Kevin

 

[DWK2]

The carrier with which I dealt required only my estimates for purposes of writing the coverage. However, for proving a claim, an appraisal by someone like Bernard would probably be necessary. Needless to say, you'd want to have a complete set of quality photos to facilitate an after-the-loss appraisal.

DancesWithKnives

 

[MValborg]

see what you do is you go to walmart.
you go to the sporting goods section and find one of the highly experienced workers there.
for a certain fee you buy an "insurance package"
he will reccomend 12. gauge but always go for the 10.
dont forget the "insurance agents" make sure you get a box big enough to not run out.
your knives are now completely insured.

 

[MikeC]

You will have to get an appraisal to be completely safe in the unfrounate event that you would need to file a claim. Get an appraisal from someone qualified like Mr. Levine even if your insurance company tells you it isn't necesary. Things tend to get fuzzy if you ever need to file a claim, everything you can do on your end to substantiate value needs to be done, also you will need to get your appraisal updated periodically, because if you get it done once and five (5) years late you need to file a claim your going to be in a bind. I would probably have your original appraisal updated every two (2) to three (3) years. Good luck.