How the Government Indemnity Scheme Protects High-Value Items in Transit and Storage

When it comes to moving or storing high-value items, standard insurance is not always enough. This is particularly relevant for museums, galleries and other cultural institutions that work with priceless objects, and these organisations often require absolute assurance that such items are protected.  

This is where the Government Indemnity Scheme (GIS) comes into play. At Clockwork Removals and Storage, our sister company Clockwork Artlink is a proud holder of the GIS accreditation – the only Scottish company to have this mark of trust. It places us among a select group of companies in the UK that are authorised to work with treasured collections and priceless items. 

Let’s take a closer look at how the scheme protects items in transit and storage.

What is the Government Indemnity Scheme? 

The Government Indemnity Scheme is a UK government scheme introduced as an alternative to traditional commercial insurance, which often doesn’t go far enough in terms of protecting high-value items. The scheme covers the loss or damage of cultural objects on loan, whether in transit, in storage or on display. Institutions can apply through the scheme, which is administered by the government and Arts Council England. 

Key aspects of the scheme include:

• It covers objects that are on loan from private lenders and other non-national institutions. 
• It provides complete cost-free indemnity cover for the loss or damage of items, whether they’re on a short- or long-term loan.
• It encourages non-national institutions to host exhibitions or add to their collections.
• It makes it easier for institutions to borrow objects for the purpose of study. 

It is predicted that the scheme saves museums and galleries more than £15million each year, and it covers:

• Transit to and from the venue 
• Storage 
• Setting up
• Display
• Dismantling 

Benefits of the Government Indemnity Scheme 

The GIS provides vital protection for museums, galleries and other cultural institutions. Some of the benefits it offers include:

• Cost savings: It saves the need for expensive commercial insurance plans.
• Access to items: It encourages cultural exchanges as people will be more willing to loan items, knowing they have indemnity. 
• High standards: Only companies and institutions that meet rigorous standards, like Clockwork Artlink, are accredited by the scheme, ensuring the safest possible handling.
• Public access: The GIS allows the public to enjoy access to cultural items they may otherwise not have had the chance to see, as it makes loans much more achievable. 

Clockwork Artlink and the Government Indemnity Scheme 

At Clockwork Artlink, we’ve always taken pride in the specialist handling of high-value and delicate items for domestic and commercial customers nationwide. Our GIS accreditation is an important milestone and one that places us among a small, select group of companies in the UK authorised to work under the scheme. 

This means that museums, galleries and other institutions can trust us to transport and store items of national and international significance with full indemnity protection. Our work has been independently assessed to meet the exact standards of the Government Indemnity Scheme. 

If you’re planning to move or store valuable items, get in touch with the expert team at Clockwork Artlink today.