Art ownership disputes occur every day in the market, which may include historical theft or traditional liens and encumbrances. Buyers, sellers, museums and fiduciaries should be aware of liability issues created by lack of transparency in art and collectibles transactions.
Liquidity, in simplest terms, is the ability to meet your financial obligations, to cover your interest, principal and expenses. It is commonly thought of ready cash or the ability to convert assets to cash, quickly and without a loss. Why is liquidity important? Having enough cash to handle those shocks and surprises that inevitably occur will hel...
This white paper collects research highlights from earlier papers by Generation Investment Management on five key subjects: Climate Change, Pandemics, Real Needs at the Base and Peak of the Economic Pyramid, Water, and Demographics.
The global law firm Withers has witnessed an increase in the number of art-related cases coming before the English courts. Although individuals and entities involved in these art disputes will attempt to resolve their differences out of court and through settlement, they often end up in litigation, which carries financial costs. It is important to ...
Artwork or other collectibles often comprise a special part of a family's assets. In addition to holding deep personal meaning, they may have significant financial value. While these items should be viewed just like other assets such as real estate or financial investments, there are some unique factors and complexities to consider.
Life insurance policy owners should take heed as continued low interest rates result in lower investment returns credited to policies over time. This can be particularly troublesome for those who do not regularly review and benchmark their policy performance. This bulletin examines the impact of a low interest rate environment on insurers, the perf...
With incidents of Internet crime surpassing 300,000 annually and continuing to grow, computer users are wise to watch for the warning signs that their computers are being hacked and to be proactive in protecting themselves. This article provides best practices for preventing security breaches as well as a checklist to help maintain your personal se...
Taking the time to consider security measures before a theft occurs can save a collector a great amount of frustration and expense. Here are seven key measures that can increase the security of fine art and collectibles for little cost.
A return to a “high” market warrants a full understanding of the nature of ownership (legal title) risks in the art industry and how art investment fund managers can mitigate these risks.
Privately held companies are susceptible to a range of allegations brought by employees, customers, creditors, and government regulatory agencies. However, a comprehensive D&O insurance policy from a qualified insurer can absorb many of the risks to which managers and fiduciaries of private companies are exposed.
The wealthy today are more optimistic about their financial opportunities—but they are also more worried about the risks they face, recognizing that their wealth could be lost in an instant in the face of threats like catastrophic weather events, cybercrime, theft, and liability settlements. To further gauge their concerns (and changing aspirations...
With rising property and casualty premiums and reduced insurance availability, many U.S. homeowners have either chosen to self-insure their homes or have been given no other viable choice. This trend includes an increasing number of affluent families with high-luxury homes in areas prone to wildfires, extreme weather, and other catastrophic events....
Across the United States, coverage for homes, autos and valuable collections have increased at a double-digit pace. In states that have experienced multiple disasters, particularly Florida and California, affluent homeowners have seen premium increases of at least 20% and higher. Others must scramble to find any coverage as carriers continue to pul...
Building and running a successful business can be hugely rewarding, both personally and financially, but it comes with unique challenges and risks that require the business owner to be prepared for the unexpected. A solid business plan is perhaps the best line of defense against unforeseen events that could derail a business. A close second is insu...
For many affluent families, risk management has become less a matter of how much insurance premiums will cost and more an issue of how much financial risk they are willing and able to accept. In an ever-shifting risk environment where families are assuming higher levels of exposure, families will need to be increasingly cognizant of potential risks...