Insuring Torahs – Why your Inland Marine coverage may not be enough

Most Synagogues and Chabad Houses know that the best type of coverage to ensure their Torahs is on an Inland Marine form.  However, restoring or replacing a Torah that has been damaged by a covered cause of loss is a complex undertaking, and simply carrying an “estimated” limit on an Inland Marine coverage may not be enough. 

The Right Value and Coverage

To be properly insured, a Torah and Torah Ornaments must have a certified appraisal of both market and replacement values.  Without an appraisal, merely providing an insurance company with an estimated value is extremely risky. Not only will an “un-appraised” estimate not consider all costs, but it may also give the insurance company a “loophole” to settle the claim for less than the insured value. Further, your scroll might not be repaired or replaced with Kosher.

That’s why the service of a skilled and experienced Sofer is needed. A Sofer can advise what steps are necessary to restore the scroll, at what cost, and the amount of time involved. 

Insurance Appraisals

A proper evaluation, insurance appraisal, and certification include:

• Owner's Name and Address

• Applied identifying number

• The date the document was prepared 

• Style and quality of writing

• Quality and Type of parchment 

• Entire overall scroll condition and current status 

• All external and internal measurements (i.e. size of script, spacing etc.) 

• Scroll origin and estimated age 

• Digital photographs of the text are provided with source location 

• List of hidden secret pin marks, especially located throughout the scroll. 

• Appraised replacement value or market value

We entrust our customers to the world-renowned, master scribes of Sofer On Site.  In partnership with Anchor Insurance Agencies, Sofer On Site offers discounted Torah Insurance Appraisals, as well as maintenance plans and “Edutainment” programs for youth and religious schools.  

For more information about properly insuring your Torahs, and to be connected with our Sofrim partners, please contact Paul at paul@anchor-insurance.com

• January 2021
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