We can most certainly help if you need a flood or fire damage antique valuations for an insurance claim, to reflect the actual monetary loss and also the cost of the possible restoration of antique furniture, clocks and works of art which have been damaged.
The photograph on the left shows the type of situation where we can assist, thanks to our far-reaching expertise, based on over three decades of experience. This particular cottage was left completely burnt out and most of the furniture was badly burnt and unrecognisable.
With our knowledge of antiques of the type that were largely destroyed however, we were able to establish and identify the items, and therefore value them from the remains present within the ashes. The same applies where flooding has occurred, and we will provide both flood or fire damage antique valuations in writing, with supporting information.
In our experience, we have found that for claims to proceed smoothly, enabling you, the client, to receive the recompense that is due to you, it is important to prove the value of the lost or damaged item(s) to the insurance assessor, who is very unlikely to have specialist expertise in this area. Having photographs of the items in question, which can be kept elsewhere, is to be recommended. Better still, these should be geo-tagged to their location. Furthermore, each individual object of merit should have a hyperlink to a similar item on the Internet, so the actual value can be proven.
Geo-tagging and hyperlinking are undertaken by us on a regular basis, and if your antiques are not protected in this way, then contact us for advice on how we can carry this out for you. These methods will not only be significant in the case of flood or fire damage valuations, but they can also be invaluable if you happen to be unfortunate enough to have valuable antiques stolen.
The available options
Losing cherished antiques that may have been family heirlooms for generations is not just very upsetting, but it can be quite devastating. Working in this field, we understand and sympathise with what it is like to be in this situation. Yet what to the untutored eye may appear to be beyond repair might still be in a restorable condition. In addition to providing flood or fire damage valuations, Malcolm will be able to advise you about the feasibility and cost of possible restoration.
This much-loved antique desk was burnt to a point where it was considered not to be restorable. The choice, of course, as to how to proceed is ultimately up to you, the client. You can decide whether you want the item restored or prefer to have it replaced by your insurance company. Malcolm Green Valuations is always willing to advise on the best course of action to take under these unfortunate circumstances.
Malcolm has a comprehensive knowledge of antique clocks, antique furniture, both oil and water colour paintings and fine works of art. Unusually, he is well-placed to understand just what is feasible, in terms of restoration, as has also been restoring such items for approximately 40 years, through a separate business called Green and Cockburn Antique Restoration. If you need help in this regard, even if your insurance claim has been sorted out, do not hesitate to get in touch for advice. It may be possible to bring a much-loved heirloom back to life for you.
How flood or fire damage valuations are carried out
“2014 was apparently the wettest year for a staggering 250 years,” says Malcolm Green. “We are told many people had suffered from flood related claims and therefore the insurance companies are suffering as never before.”
“When we are called to a property to give flood or fire damage valuations for antiques that have been affected, we are very sympathetic and advise the client accordingly about the best way to proceed, taking the person through the process. While at the property, we photograph every single item and these photographs are geo-tagged to the property, assisting the claim. We then advise the client as to how much we feel the items would have been worth on the day,” he explains.
“But the real work starts when we get back to the office after valuing the item or items. We then have to prove the value of each one by finding a similar item on an auction or retail database. This then enables the insurance assessor to go to that item, and establish the reality of our valuation. We have found that this is very important as the insurance companies are receiving so many claims that making it easier for them in this way definitely helps to process your claim.”
The main premises of Malcolm Green Valuations is situated on the Hertfordshire-Bedfordshire-Cambridgeshire border, just to the north-west of London, giving easy access to all these counties, but our services can be called upon throughout the country and abroad. It is easy to get in touch when you need flood or fire damage valuations by emailing us in the first instance, or telephoning on (+44) (0)1462 416550.