There is Value in Everything

“It’s not all Lovejoy and Antiques Roadshow – as with any industry there are always hard times and good times.” Alastair Meiklejon spends the vast majority of his time as a general valuer for Doerr Dallas Valuations. He would usually be visiting client homes, helping them take stock of their antiques and collectables and assisting them with coming to the correct valuation for their home insurance though of course the arrival of Coronavirus has put a temporary halt to his excursions.

Now, with the assistance of both video calling and the online sharing of photographs, he and his colleagues are adapting to working from home like the vast majority of us.  “I am the GP who will recommend the consultant. 90% of the time I can confidently put a value on the item but there are times when an industry specialist is required and that’s when I refer the client to one of my colleagues, be it for fine art or jewellery for example”

The arrival of Coronavirus is expected to slow the antique trade down but with the big players such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s working six months ahead, the market is thought to stay strong for the immediate future. “There are still people who want to buy, there may not be any physical auctions as such but with online auctions continuing at present, the market will stay strong.”

Alastair first cut his teeth in the antique world when he was studying history at the University of Gloucestershire. He and a fellow antique enthusiast used to take to the road in his 1980’s Fiat Panda and trawl the UK for the next deal “The art and antique world is cyclical, it goes around in fashion. We’re not dealing in bread or milk but in things that people desire – and those desires change.”

Meiklejon’s personal areas of expertise are horology, militaria and classic cars. “Basically anything that a 15 year old boy finds fascinating is on my list. The vintage time-piece market has done fantastically over the past 10-15 years or so.  The cycle at the moment shows that people are moving away from wanting a collection of ceramics in a glass cupboard for example. Instead I have clients who have 30-40 watches and they select a different one to wear each day. Some clients have a fascination with a particular brand and these vintage wrist-watches can be incredibly sought after”

When it comes to his other areas of specialism, Alastair has seen the militaria market boom at a time when his clients have reached a certain level of disposable income which perhaps coincides with a sense for nostalgia and remembrance. Their parent or grandparent may have fought in the Vietnam or Korean war and now, these clients are at a stage of their lives where they wish to find their own piece of history which is related to that family member.

As for cars, Meiklejon may have begun with a keen motor interest as a boy but he is also lucky enough to be the son-in-law of Jeremy Phillips from Sylva Auto Kits. “I am so fortunate to say that I have driven ( and crashed!) some incredible kit cars. Classic kit cars are becoming a thing. Designs from the last few decades, be they Caterham Cars or indeed  Sylva have seen a ridiculous increase in value over the last ten years or so. Similarly other classic cars, such as a Porsche 911 or a Citroen DS are now commanding three times as much as five years ago. Obviously these rates fluctuate, just as fine art can start, stop and start again, and that is what makes my job both interesting but essential to the insurance market.”

So, what is the current top tip from the valuation market? “Clients need to know their items and collections. With the arrival of Covid-19, we all have an enforced amount of extra time at home so one could try and make the most of the situation and spend that time in one’s property getting reacquainted with one’s belongings – and crucially, be careful not to overlook things”

Alastair Meiklejon sees so many clients who are under-insured. “It’s not just high value items that need to be considered either – have you thought about what’s in your wardrobe for example? All of those shirts, dresses or handbags? They have an accumulated value too. If the doomsday happens, be it fire, flood or theft can you afford to replace everything under your current insurance premium?”

If you have any queries about content insurance or have concerns that you may be under-insured we can assist you over the phone. Similarly please use the link below to download our interactive contents calculator. Tot up the value of your belongings and make sure your contents insurance is accurate!