When precious objects and art are damaged, time is critical. ICS is ready to act immediately on fire, water, mould, pest infestation, vandalism and other disaster-related damage.  We respond quickly with expert conservation guidance to address urgent issues and support next steps. Our goal is to help return affected artworks and collections to their pre-damaged condition as soon as possible.

ICS employs the only art conservation insurance claim experts in Australia.  We regularly liaise with loss adjusters, disaster recovery companies and insurers to ensure the optimum outcome for claims.  Our in-house specialist conservators have the breadth of skills necessary to address any art insurance challenge, from paintings, works on paper, textiles, and sculpture, to furniture, art objects, frames and more. We specialise in historic and irreplaceable books, archives and records.

Our clients are often insurance companies, loss adjusters and disaster recovery companies, many of whom we have worked for over 30 years. Our long-standing relationships with a wide range of companies ensures we can expertly navigate the art insurance process, and demonstrates their confidence in our ability to deal with many different insurance scenarios.

We also work with private individuals, art galleries and museums to navigate the art insurance process during what can be an emotional time, as valued pieces of artwork undergo salvage and conservation. Our familiarity with the process comes to the fore when you need guidance.

With offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth and Brisbane, ICS delivers a speedy response to any fine art insurance emergency in nationwide.  

Contact us today if you have suffered an insurance-claimable event involving damage to works of art. We will help you navigate the process to ensure the best out comes for your insured items.

What happens when a claim is submitted?

Each event requires a different approach, according to the type of damage, the location, and the urgency of the recovery.  A claim will typically go through a number of stages, depending on the client and the emergency.  A typical claim sequence includes:

• Assessing the damage on site after an event
• Arranging transport and storage
• Developing an inventory and examining artworks to identify damage
• Providing condition reports and treatment proposals
• Working with clients to obtain approval for the treatment of artworks. Discarding unapproved pieces on behalf of clients
• Providing quotes for items going into long term storage

Common types of damage

Acting quickly after a disaster is essential, and our conservators advise on the best response for specific circumstances.

Water

When works are exposed to water or high humidity, conservators carefully examine them for signs of mould, staining and tidelines.  Immediate intervention and triage helps to prevent further damage and deterioration. Prompt conservation treatment stabilises affected pieces and reduces the long-term risks associated with moisture exposure.

Fire

Fire-damaged artworks often face both structural and aesthetic issues. Challenges range from acidic soot, lingering smoke odours, to water damage caused by firefighting efforts. Treatment focuses on stabilisation, removing harmful residues and odours, and preventing further degradation.

Impact and accident

Artworks can be vulnerable to impact and handling damage during moving, shipping, or simply during everyday care. Structural issues, surface abrasions, and punctures or tears are common, especially when glass is broken.  Our conservators deal with a wide range of claims relating to impact and handling damage.