A new Chubb survey, published on July 16, 2026, suggests many younger affluent Americans are treating luxury collectibles as long-term investments while leaving those assets uninsured.
According to Chubb, fewer than half of the younger affluent collectors surveyed have purchased valuables insurance even though 78% said an item’s future value is a key consideration when making a purchase. Among uninsured respondents, 46% mistakenly believe their homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for their collections.
The findings come from Chubb’s report, The New Era of Luxury Collecting & Investment, based on a survey of 1,000 affluent Americans ranging from their early 20s to their mid-40s. Chubb refers to this demographic as High Earners, Not Rich Yet (HENRYs). Respondents actively collected watches, jewelry, art, antiques, wine, and sports memorabilia. The online survey was conducted between August and September 2025.
Collecting Viewed as a Long-Term Investment
The survey found collecting is more than a hobby for many respondents. Across multiple collecting categories, roughly half or more reported building their collections for at least five years. Among art and antiques collectors, 59% had collected for at least five years, while 57% of sports memorabilia collectors reported similar longevity. More than half of watch and jewelry collectors and nearly half of wine collectors also had at least five years of collecting experience.
Watch and jewelry collectors were the most active buyers, with 21% making purchases quarterly and 13% purchasing monthly.
“For today’s collectors, owning luxury items is both a way to express themselves and a smart financial move,” said Amy McNeece, Head of Digital Consumer, Personal Risk Services at Chubb. “They buy with an eye on future value, but our research shows many still overlook the insurance protection needed to safeguard these investments.”
Misconceptions Leave Many Collections Uninsured
While many respondents viewed their collections as investments, fewer than half reported purchasing valuables insurance.
Among uninsured collectors, 38% said they had not gotten around to buying coverage, while 34% believed their collections were not at risk of loss or damage. Only 14% cited cost as a reason for remaining uninsured. Theft (45%) and accidental damage or loss (42%) ranked among collectors’ top concerns.
Digital Purchasing Shapes Insurance Expectations
The survey found younger affluent collectors expect insurance purchasing to mirror their shopping habits. While 70% preferred sourcing luxury items in person, 71% preferred completing purchases digitally. Nearly all respondents (94%) expressed interest in purchasing valuables insurance, 58% preferred buying coverage online, and 38% said they would like insurance available at the time they acquire a new item.
McNeece said those findings reflect changing consumer expectations.
“Digital-first experiences are shaping how young collectors shop, as well as what they expect when buying insurance. The insurance process needs to be easy, fast, and simple at the point of sale. In luxury retail, the ease of protecting newly acquired valuables should match the ease of the shopping experience.”
Chubb commissioned iResearch Services to survey 1,000 U.S. respondents who self-identify as High Earners, Not Rich Yet (HENRYs) and collect wine, art and antiques, watches and jewelry, sports memorabilia, or other high-value items. The online survey was conducted between August and September 2025.
Full Report on Chubb Website
The report is available on Chubb’s website by clicking its title here: “The New Era Of Luxury Collecting And Investment.”
