Protecting stamp collections for more than 50 years.
Our company was founded in 1966
by Horace Harrison, a celebrated stamp collector and active member
of the American Philatelic Society.
Founded by a stamp collector
Stamp Collection Insurance
Stamp Collection Insurance
Collectibles Insurance Services was founded by an avid collector of stamps, so we have a special appreciation of the passion that the world of stamps inspires — from such classics as the Inverted Jenny, the Scott #1 5-cent Benjamin Franklin, Pan-American Inverts, Prexy stamps, Washington Franklins, and the Zep Set — to the rarities and finds of tomorrow.
As we’ve helped provide insurance for stamp collectors for nearly 50 years, we know how much you value your collection. That’s why we provide equally valuable features in coverage.
Stamp Collectors Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
- Accidental Breakage
- Burglary
- Fire
- Flood (except in Zones A & V)
- Loss in the Mail
- Natural Disasters
- Theft
- Other causes of loss, unless specifically excluded from the policy (see exclusions)
Stamp Insurance Coverage at Home and Away
- Travel – Transit coverage protects collectible property that is temporarily away from the scheduled location, subject to the policy sublimit.
- Exhibitions – If you’re at a scheduled exhibition, show, or display, coverage is provided for your collectibles up to the policy limit – including travel and shipping to and from the event.
- Storage Facilities – For an additional premium, we offer optional insurance coverage for collectibles kept in a public storage facility.
More Affordable Rates
We offer insurance policies with affordable coverage for the collector compared to other collectibles insurance policies! Typically, the cost for a policy we offer is less than it would cost to schedule the same items under a homeowners insurance policy.
Less Paperwork and Red Tape
Unlike homeowners coverage, we do not require a schedule or appraisal for most items; however, you are responsible for maintaining your own inventory of your collection for insurance purposes (in the event of loss). The only exceptions are individual items or sets valued over $25,000 apiece, which would have to be scheduled items.
We’re Proven and Trusted
The policies we offer are proven and trusted! We have been providing insurance for stamp collections like yours since 1966. And all insurance is provided by a carrier with a group rating of “A” (Excellent) by AM Best – the leading rating agency for the insurance industry.
Deductibles starting at $0
Deductibles start at $0 for collector policies. We provide stamp insurance coverage for the market value of your collectibles for losses in excess of $50. All dealer policies have a $200 deductible.
Insurance that grows with your collectibles
Collections tend to grow, so your policy can be adjusted to include any new purchases that you add to your collection.
Inflation coverage
You may select “Automatic Monthly Increase” as optional extra coverage to be added to your policy for new acquisitions and appreciation of your existing collectibles. Selecting this coverage will apply a monthly automatic coverage increase of 1% in coverage, up to a maximum of $1 million.
We provide coverage for dealers, too
If you want to protect your dealer inventory and your clients’ private collections, for which you are responsible, we also offer special Dealers Insurance.
Superior customer service
Our company was started by collectors, so it’s only natural that we pay attention to your interests and needs. And that our customer service would always be geared to the collector’s point of view.
Prompt and personal claim service
As experienced specialists in stamp collections, our adjusters understand the value and importance of your collection. That’s why, should you have a claim, they make every effort to make sure it is settled as quickly and completely as possible.
CIS Company Brochure
Want to learn more about the services we offer? Check out our collector brochure and our dealer brochure.
Related Services
We don’t just offer stamp collection insurance! We help provide coverage for collectibles of all kinds. The list of what we cover is longer than our list of what we don’t.
Get A Quote
Getting a quote is fast and easy! If you’re interested in getting stamp collection insurance, be sure to get a quote today.
Frequently Asked Questions
A good starting point is our former owner, Dan Walker, winner of the American Philatelic Society’s Champion of Champions Award and signatory of The Roll of Distinguished Philatelists. While not a certified appraiser, Dan knows the value of stamps and is a recognized expert in the field. If he is not familiar with your particular area of stamps, he knows who is and will direct you to that source. You can reach him at danforthwalker@comcast.net.
Yes, we offer comprehensive and broad coverage for your stamp collection! We have experience insuring collectors of all kinds who appreciate the scope and special coverage.
CIS is a company founded by collectors, so we understand that your stamp collection is often more of an emotional investment than a financial one and that these collectibles are worth far more to its owner than money alone. As experts in collectibles insurance, we have been protecting valued collectible toys and more since 1966—offering not just coverage, but the kind of peace of mind that a standard homeowners policy simply cannot provide. Here are just a few reasons why you should choose CIS to provide insurance for your valuable collectibles:
- Proven and Trusted – Protecting collectors since 1966, all coverage is provided by a carrier with a group rating of “A” (Excellent) by AM Best, the leading rating agency for the insurance industry.
- Coverage at Home and Away – We provide insurance at any scheduled location in the United States. But, that’s not all. We provide transit coverage, which protects collectible property that is temporarily away from the scheduled location (subject to policy sublimit). If you’re at a scheduled exhibition, show, or display, coverage is provided for your collectibles up to the policy limit—including travel and shipping to and from the event. We also provide optional coverage for collectibles kept in a public storage facility (up to $100,000).
- Comprehensive Coverage – Coverage includes, but is not limited to, accidental breakage, burglary, fire, flood (except in zones A & V), loss in the mail, theft, natural disasters, and other causes of loss unless specifically excluded from the insurance policy.
- More Affordable Rates – Typically, you will pay less than it would cost to schedule the same items under your homeowners policy. Deductibles start at $0 for collector policies, and we provide coverage for the market value of your toys for losses in excess of $50.
- Less Paperwork and Red Tape – Unlike homeowners, a schedule or appraisal is not required for most items; however, you are responsible for maintaining your own inventory for insurance purposes (in the event of loss). Individual items or sets whose insured value is set at $25,000 or more must be scheduled.
- It’s Fast and Easy – Get a quote online or call our expert CIS team at 888-837-9537 (8:30 am – 5:00 pm (EST), Monday – Friday).
Our company was created by an avid stamp collector who realized that ordinary homeowners coverage simply couldn’t provide the coverage his rare treasures demanded. For everyday, easily replaced personal property, homeowners is all most people need. But for prized possessions you may have spent a lifetime collecting, it doesn’t go nearly far enough. That’s why we offer a group of benefits that the less specialized insurance carrier doesn’t often provide. For example:
- Homeowners coverage is typically based on the actual cash value of your stamp collection—not their current market value or full collector value.
- Homeowners can limit coverage of all the contents in your home to a percentage of your home’s total value (usually between 50% and 70%).
- It may not cover losses caused by floods, hurricanes, or earthquakes.
- Homeowners may have limited or no coverage for valuables like silver, guns, stamps, and other collectible items.
- You may be required to appraise and schedule all items individually. And new items must be reported and scheduled within 30 to 90 days of acquisition.
Like most collectors, we’re specialists. Providing collectible insurance is all we do. So we’re able to passionately focus on servicing the needs of collectors like you. Generally, if you can collect it, we can cover it. (The list of what we provide coverage for is a lot longer than what we don’t.) Some of the most popular categories we cover include stamps; coins; guns, knives, and accessories; sports cards and memorabilia; and toys.
The following are excluded: Government seizure or destruction of property; war and nuclear hazards; gradual deterioration such as fading, creasing or denting; nesting, infestation or discharge or release of waste products or secretions by insects, rodents or other animals; dampness or dryness of atmosphere; changes in or extremes of temperature other than fire; fraudulent, dishonest or criminal acts; voluntary parting with covered property; loss or damage while being worked on by you or others working on your behalf; and mysterious disappearance. This is not a complete list of exclusions and exclusions can vary by policy.