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Antique Safes/samual withers safes

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Expert: - 10/30/2009


Question
I have just had a Samuel withers same demolished, in a robbery i have had it for over 20 years and i know its really really old, can someone tell me to the best of their knowledge a valuation for the insurers? pls

Answer
Hi Amanda

That is a difficult question to answer without knowing what type of Samuel Withers safe it was.  If you are able to take pictures of the remains of the safe, this would help in making an evaluation. They should be sent to mike.palmer@tiscali.co.uk - there is no charge for this service.  If the safe has been taken away, can you give me any further information?  For example, was the name plate brass or white metal?  When the burglars forced it open, was the body filled with sand and sawdust?  Were the bolts that shot into the body when the handle was turned, flat or round?

I will also need to know if your insurance policy is 'like for like'.  Samuel Withers safes are very old so the valuation may need to be based on the cost of replacing it with another safe of a similar age.  If the policy is to replace it with new, we will suggest a modern replacement of similar quality or grade.

I look forward to hearing further from you.

Regards,

Mike Palmer FSyI
Insurance Liaison Coordinator

Antique Safes

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Mike Palmer

Expertise

I earn my living identifying safes and suggesting cash limits for risk advisors and insurance surveyors in the UK. I'm not able to comment on safes made in the USA but will be happy to take questions on all major British and European manufacturers.

Experience

I have been in the UK safe industry for 40 years and have one of the largest archive databases of old safe literature and serial numbers in the country. I started with Chubb in 1960 and became Assistant Manager of their Bank Security Division before moving on to become the Insurance Liaison Manager with the John Tann Group. I became Sales & Marketing Director for Guardian Safes Limited before semi-retiring. I am a Fellow of the Security Institute and Chairman of Eurosafe UK, a trade body representing the interests of UK safe makers and distributors. I now work as a part time consultant.

Organizations
I am an invited advisor to the Safe Committee of the Association of Insurance Surveyors and a Fellow of the Security Institute.

Publications
I have had literally scores of articles published in various security trade publications. So far this year I have had 24 features published in various journals including Keyways, Professional Security, Pawnbroker and Safe India.

Education/Credentials
I have no relevant educational credentials.

Awards and Honors
In 1997 I was awarded the annual shield by the Association of Insurance Surveyors for "..outstanding services to crime prevention"

Past/Present Clients
I have represented or been an agent for the John Tann Group (Stratford, Ratner, Dreadnought and Tann safes); Churchill Safes, Chubb Safe Co Ltd, SLS Safes, SMP Safes, Dudley Safes and several others

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