The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Should you have your quilts appraised? By Arthena Hecker I was shocked to learn that the insurance company could classify my beautiful quilts, which my mother made for me, as blankets and pay accordingly. How about you? Are your quilts covered with your insurance policy? Most of our possessions, including quilts, are covered in a general homeowner’s policy. Without an appraisal, insurers see your quilt as a possession, like pots and pans. As such, you will be compensated for the loss or damage to these items. In the case of quilts. they are often viewed as blankets and without proof of their value, you will be compensated for the value of a blanket. Check with your insurance agent or broker to determine if your quilts are covered by your policy. You may want to have your quilts appraised and then purchase a "fine arts rider” for your homeowner’s policy. When in doubt about coverage. ask youragent for an answer, in writing. HERE ARE THE TWO TYPES OF APPRAISALS: Insurance replacement: Protects in the event a quilt is lost, stolen or damaged. An insurance appraisal value is based on the current market for quilts and takes into consideration the cost to replace a quilt with another of like and kind. In the case of antique quilts, finding a replacement could involve engaging a broker. Rarity, provenance and workmanship all play roles in valuing a quilt for replacement purposes. Market value: Establishes the sale value of a quilt based on current market conditions. This type ofappraisal may be most useful ifa buyer and seller cannot agree on a price. ARE YOU READY TO FIND A QUILT APPRAISER? An appraiser can be an antiques dealer who is a member of the Professional Assodation of Appraisers with knowledge of quilts or a quilt appraiser who has been trained by the American Quilter’s Society (AQS). Some appraisers who have undergone this training have continued on to pass an intensive examination to receive certification through the Society. Quilt appraisers are experts with knowledge of fabrics, dates, construction techniques and the ability to recognize patterns, trends and regional influences in quilts. Reputable quilt appraisers will adhere to a signed Code of Ethical Practices with an organization they belong to. This signed code will protect you should the appraisal ever be question. To find a quilt appraiser in your area. visit the websites of American Quilter's Society or Professional Association of Appraisers-Quilted Textiles or ask at your local quilt shop. FWIO was pleased to have quilt appraiser Rosalie l. Tennison, Certified AQS Quilt Appraiser â€" at the Not Just a Quilt Show in Barrie last year. You can contact her by telephone at 905â€"953â€"1441 or via e-mall â€" r.tennison@sympatico.ca. Whether a quilt is antique, vintage or new, it has value and should be appraised. A qUilt appraisal is proof that your quilt has value. In the case of loss or damage to a treasured quilt, having proof of value will ensure payment for your loss and will make receiving payment quicker. We want to hear from you! Send your stories and photos forour next issue of The Home & Country ROSE Garden to the following address: The Home 8: Country ROSE Garden 7382 Wellington Road 30, RR it 5 Guelph,0N NIH 6J2 or email them to roseprogram@fwio.on.ca or fax them to 519836-9456 Please note. your article may not appear exactly as submitted. We will do our best to edit appropriately to include as much information as possible. Be sure to make an additional copy of your photos before submitting them as we will no longer be able to return photos. Thank you for your understanding. Deadline Dates Fall 2008 â€" July 15, 2008 Winter â€" December 1, 2008 11