Museum insurance

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Protecting the stories that shape your community

Museums and cultural institutions play a vital role in preserving heritage, educating audiences, and inspiring communities. From exhibitions and archives to educational programmes and events, your work goes far beyond the collections you care for.

But with this responsibility comes risk. Safeguarding valuable artefacts, welcoming visitors, managing volunteers, and delivering public programmes all require careful protection. Trustees and leaders have a duty to protect their organisation, their collections, and the people who interact with them – including putting the right insurance in place.

  • Expert support

    We work with thousands of charities and not-for-profits to help them manage risk.

  • Competitive prices

    Value for money matters. We offer well-priced policies without compromising on quality.

  • Personal service

    We'll review, revise, and develop your insurance over the term, to help you stay fully protected.

What is museum insurance?

Museum insurance is designed to protect museums, galleries, and heritage organisations, as well as the collections, buildings, and activities they manage.

It provides cover for the unique risks faced by museums; from damage to artefacts and exhibition pieces, including, where covered by the policy, costs associated with their repair or restoration which can require specialist skills, to liabilities arising from public access, events, educational activities and the loaning of collections by and to the museum. 

Museums often combine conservation, public engagement, governance, and outreach within one organisation, meaning a tailored insurance approach is essential.

With the right cover in place, if something goes wrong, whether that’s damage to an exhibit, an incident involving a visitor, or disruption to your operations, insurance can help manage the financial impact, so your organisation can continue to protect and share its collections.

Insurance cover is subject to insurer acceptance, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits. The cover available will depend on your organisation's individual circumstances.

Why it matters

Museums often hold collections of significant historic and cultural importance, while providing essential educational and community benefits to the people they serve.

Having the right insurance in place:

  • Helps protect your collections, staff, volunteers, and visitors
  • Supports your duty of care and governance responsibilities
  • Safeguards against financial loss following unexpected incidents
  • Helps ensure continuity of exhibitions, programmes, and public access

From handling delicate objects to hosting events and managing visitor footfall, museums face a wide range of risks that require specialist protection.
 

gallery

What does museum insurance cover?

We offer dedicated insurance for museums, galleries, and heritage organisations, with cover tailored to your operations. Your policy could include:

  • Public liability insurance
  • Employers’ liability insurance
  • Buildings and contents insurance (including specialist collections cover)
  • Trustee indemnity insurance
  • Exhibition and transit cover (for loans, touring exhibitions, and movement of artefacts)
  • Business interruption insurance
  • Cyber insurance
  • Legal expenses insurance
  • Personal accident cover for staff and volunteers

Cover can also extend to temporary exhibitions, educational programmes, and events that support visitor engagement and outreach.

museum foyer

More than insurance

  • A partnership you can rely on: We take time to understand your organisation – from collection care and exhibition planning to visitor engagement – helping ensure your cover reflects how you operate.
  • Risk management support: Guidance on collection protection, health and safety, and compliance, helping safeguard your people, assets, and reputation.
  • Claims support when it matters most: Our dedicated claims service and insurer relationships help keep the process straightforward and efficient.
woman observing painting

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Charities, not for profit & voluntary organisations enquiry form

To find out how we can best support your charitable organisation please complete the enquiry form below, or alternatively call a member of our specialist charity team on 0333 234 1351. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

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Museum insurance FAQs

Yes. Museums manage valuable and often culturally important collections, alongside public access and events. This creates a unique risk profile that standard insurance may not fully address. Specialist cover ensures your policy reflects your collections, activities, and responsibilities.

The cover you need will depend on your operations, but most organisations consider a combination of:

  • Public liability insurance – for visitor injury or property damage
  • Buildings and contents insurance – including collections and displays
  • Employers’ liability insurance – if you have paid staff
  • Trustee indemnity insurance – protecting leadership decisions
  • Business interruption insurance – helping if your site cannot operate

Additional cover, such as exhibition and transit insurance or cyber protection, may also be important.

Yes. If you loan items, host travelling exhibitions, or transport artefacts, you should consider whether appropriate cover is in place to protect against loss or damage while items are in transit or on display. This is particularly important when handling high-value or fragile objects.

Volunteers and trustees are integral to many museums and organisations should consider whether volunteers and trustees are appropriately protected. Protection typically includes:

  • Employers’ liability insurance, which can extend to volunteers in certain circumstances
  • Trustee indemnity insurance, protecting against claims relating to governance decisions
  • Personal accident cover for volunteers

Alongside insurance, clear procedures, training, and risk management practices are essential in reducing exposure.

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