New Chubb Survey Measures Americans' Attitudes Toward Collecting Valuables and Purchasing Decisions Amid the Pandemic

Inaugural Research Highlights Importance of Mitigating Risk, especially with Some Venturing into More than One Area of Collecting

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Chubb

Nov 11, 2021, 11:11 ET

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Nov. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey on valuable collections from Chubb finds American collectors have continued to expand their personal valuable collections, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and its challenges. The Chubb Valuable Collection 2021 Survey, which took stock of Americans' attitudes on collecting art, wine and spirits, jewelry and watches, sports memorabilia, classic cars, and more, found that passion is a key motivator while investment also played a role.

According to the survey, if collectors had the necessary funds to do so, they would purchase the following for their own personal pleasure: jewelry and gemstones (49%), wine (46%), art (39%), and watches (37%). For investment purposes, collectors would choose: jewelry and gemstones (47%), art (41%), wine (34%), and watches (32%). Americans also see collector cars (30%) as an investment opportunity.

"There are many reasons individuals may want to start or expand their collections. Regardless, it's critical that collectors become aware of the risks and find the right insurance and risk management solutions to help protect their valuable collectables," said Fran O'Brien, Division President of Chubb North America Personal Risk Services. "For example, our survey revealed that in the past year, seventy-four percent of American collectors have purchased or would consider purchasing art sight unseen. Risk begins the moment a collector purchases the item; thus, they should start the protection process the moment they buy a piece."

Additional findings from the survey include:

In the past year, wine collectors have started a wine collection because of their love of wine (62%), influence of a friend or colleague (30%), or excess income (30%). Similarly, whether because of an increase in free time or disposable income, in the past year, more Americans have started collecting wine and spirits. Specifically, 40% of all collectors recently began collecting wine.
Over the past year, American art collectors are most influenced to purchase art by social media (57%), online auctions (54%), investment opportunities (52%), and artist patronage (47%). Further, Americans between the ages of 18-24 are the most likely (72%) to be influenced to purchase art through social media.
On average, collectors spend the following percent of their annual income on collecting: wine, 9%; art, 10%; watches, 10%; jewelry, 11%; spirits, 10%; designer accessories, 11%; collector cars, 12%. Collectors have also spent more than 10% of their net worth on the following: wine, 28%; art, 34%; watches, 40%; jewelry, 46%; spirits, 31%; designer accessories, 42%; collector cars, 38%; sports memorabilia, 35%.

Download the Valuable Collections 2021 Survey report and the breakout reports to learn more about the behaviors and risks specifc to art collectors, wine and spirits collectors, and jewelry and watch collectors.

About Chubb

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs more than 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com.

SOURCE Chubb