While Certs breath mints supposedly offer social insurance of a kind, CERTS is also industry shorthand for an actual insurance product: CERTIFICATES OF ADDITIONAL INSURED.

So what is a CERT and why are they used?

CERTIFICATES OF ADDITIONAL INSURED are documents obtained by vendors such as art handlers which permit them to do work in many public and private buildings. They serve to assure the risk managers of the job site that the company coming onto their premises carries proper insurance on their crew and coverage for any damage that might be caused by that crew during the course of their work. Without proper CERTS in place, entry is denied to the vendor, so this is no minor detail.

What types of CERTS are involved?

Typically the building in question will ask for two types of CERTS: one which shows that the vendor has current Workman’s Compensation Insurance and one which shows proof of General Liability insurance and the amounts of that coverage. The CERTS in each case are issued by the vendor’s insurance carrier and name that specific building or location as a temporary ADDITIONAL INSURED under the terms of the vendor’s policy, for a specified date or date range. By obtaining this coverage the property owner is limiting their risk and essentially “piggy backing” on the vendor’s policy coverage.

So if FINE ART SHIPPING sends a crew into a condo lobby and one of our crew puts a nail into his thumb, the building is reassured that the worker is properly covered by our Worker’s Compensation policy and will make no claim against theirs. Similarly, if our truck backs into the dock and runs over a prized potted palm in the process, the claim will go to our Liability Insurance carrier and not to the building’s own insurer for recovery of costs.

Screening tool

In addition this is an expedient way for the property owner essentially to screen the credentials of companies. Many “one man and a van” art handlers and installers don’t have such policies and so cannot provide CERTS. We get many job referrals each year from such independent operators. It isn’t necessarily a matter of skills – many independent installers are professional and talented – but typically it takes a larger operation to maintain insurance coverages at the levels required by major major metropolitan properties.

What about individuals having work done at a home or office?

If you are a small business or residential customer, it is a good idea to inquire whether an art handler who will perform installation or other services at your location is properly insured.  Short of requiring a CERT, you protect yourself from possible liability if a worker is injured at your location, or from a claim against your own liability insurance in the event your property is damaged by the vendor. Consider this: if a worker sustains a serious injury at your location, and his employer has no worker’s comp coverage, who will he or she look to for payment of potentially serious medical bills? They may well claim that some condition existing at your property contributed to the accident, and you will be forced at the very least to defend against this. You may have exposure simply for not checking that the employer had the legally required insurance for his crew.

Or if a vendor’s truck parked in your driveway loses its brakes and crashes through your pool house, a business without liability insurance will leave you only two choices: an expensive lawsuit against a company with unknown assets, or a claim under your own liability policy which may well raise your rates for the future.

So while a CERT does not offer a rating of that company’s skills, it does signify that the company is operating legally, is most likely solvent (paying their premiums!) and that they are considered insurable in the marketplace. From a risk manager’s point of view, this is as good as fresh donuts on a rainy Monday morning.

Betsy Dorfman

Many self storage facilities boast in their advertising and signage that they offer “climate controlled” storage. Chances are, they don’t. As they tilt towards full disclosure, this is amended  to “air conditioned” or “temperature controlled,” which is closer to the truth. For those needing to store sensitive or high value goods, understanding this terminology is crucial to selecting the appropriate storage venue.

At FINE ART SHIPPING, like many fine art handlers, we offer a mix of storage options including museum standard climate control.

In our case this means a facility:

 – heated and cooled as needed 24/7 to maintain a temperature range of 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit year round

–  relative humidity maintained between 45-55 percent year round

–  sufficient equipment to provide redundancy should a system experience failure

–  internet display monitored from on or offsite with snapshot printouts of readings as needed

–  filtering “clean air” technology to remove impurities from circulating air

When comparing rates among “climate controlled” services it is important to have the facility in question provide their climate specifications. They may or may not meet museum, or your, standards. An “air conditioned” facility may air condition to a point above or below the ideal for paintings.

Air conditioning, as delicious as it is, is for people; full climate control with monitored air balance is needed for correct storage of old master and other sensitive paintings and commodities.

Many  warehouses such as ourselves offering true climate controlled storage also provide  a range of companion services such as crating, inventory management, condition reporting,  viewing rooms, shipping, and insurance.  Asking for references is a good idea; if museums store at the facility you are considering it is likely the real deal.

Betsy Dorfman

FINE ART SHIPPING

    WHAT’S NEW?

In addition to our normal shuttle we are now offering a once monthly economy rate service between metro LA and metro SF.

This is the same museum quality climate service as our usual shuttle — no compromises there.

HOW CAN WE DO THIS?

 Our economy shuttle will serve primarily gallery districts and downtown areas of each city, skipping off routes and not stopping to accomplish installs or other on site services — it is essentially an “express”. Pickup and delivery sites will need to be flexible regarding timing and be ready when we come by.

Our usual shuttle is a “local” by comparison.  It makes all stops along the line, and goes to distant points as needed.  Custom in nature,  it honors time specific appointments, and will come back if you’re not ready on our first pass. Higher level of service = higher cost. 

 WHERE ?

See the maps below for areas served at the discounted rate *

*If you fall outside these areas we may be able to accommodate you however our usual (already competitive) rates will apply

PRICING – discount averages approximately 30%

EXPRESS SHUTTLE              REGULAR SHUTTLE          VOLUME

$ 125 minimum                  $ 175 minimum          15 cubic feet and below

$ 150                                       $ 205                               20 cubic feet

$ 185                                       $ 250                               30 cubic feet

$ 210                                       $ 288                               40 cubic feet

above 40 cubic feet call for pricing / all rates plus 12% fuel surcharge

Reflects rate for transport only, wrapping, insurance,  storage  or other services are additional

HOW TO BOOK or get a quote

Use the CLICK FOR ESTIMATE tab above and fill out the form. Be sure to indicate your interest in the economy EXPRESS shuttle

OR  call our shuttle coordinator, Robert Thomas:

email:           robert@fineartship.com

direct line:  310 807 9587

SCHEDULE:

Our inaugural EXPRESS !!

Picks up greater Los Angeles through March 17

Delivers SF bay area March 19-20

Returns for LA deliveries week of March 23

EXPRESS ZONE maps