How To Move Wine

When you decide to move your precious wine collection, there are several steps you will need to do to insure a safe move.

The first thing you should do is have your collection appraised by a qualified appraiser. This will help set the value of the collection for insurance purposes, either for a personal property rider on your homeowner’s insurance or for the moving company’s insurance policy. Having your collection valued gives you an appropriate dollar amount associated with the entire collection in case that you need to make a claim for loss or damage during your move. Some appraisals put a value on each individual bottle. This is often necessary for rare or vintage wines.

You can find an appraiser by asking your local wine merchant for a suggestion. You can also find one through your insurance company or your realtor’s office. Some personal property appraisers are qualified to appraise wine collections. Also, auction houses may have wine appraisers on staff or know where to find them. You can also contact the American Society of Appraisers to find a certified wine appraiser in your area.