Theft and insurance for bonsai

[Clicio]

A very good friend of mine, bonsaist for more than 20 years had his house broken in and ALL his bonsai trees, some more than 30 years old, were stolen.
Police said they could not estimate the loss, as there was no price tag on the trees, and so...
He lost 20 years of bonsai work and some beloved trees.
Is there any kind of insurance against this possibility?

 

[A. Gorilla]

Last year a dug up some yardscape, and I was surprised to find that the trunk on this particular species is top-tier. You just don't see Euonymous with this kind of taper and movement. On the bonsai market, just the stump would be worth $200+, I'd imagine.

But who else really thinks that? In most people's realities, I dug up a stump.

 

[Anthony]

Clicio,

tell him to talk to a lawyer. He has to establish what was of value.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[choppychoppy]

A very good friend of mine, bonsaist for more than 20 years had his house broken in and ALL his bonsai trees, some more than 30 years old, were stolen.
Police said they could not estimate the loss, as there was no price tag on the trees, and so...
He lost 20 years of bonsai work and some beloved trees.
Is there any kind of insurance against this possibility?

Unfortunately there is almost no recourse with this as far as monetary compensation. There is no way to get them listed on your homeowners insurance due to the fact that they are willfully left outside without security. Also unless you have purchase receipts there is no way to file claims on subjective valued items. Also purchase prices would also be the only thing recoverable. So if you have a garden juniper you paid $10 for 25yrs ago that is now maybe worth a couple hundred or more you would only get your $10 back. If your insurance company would accept an appraisal with actual values from a bonsai professional then you can submit the appraisal, but this must be done prior to any claims being made.

A lawyer can't do anything as you can't make insurance claims on things that are not actually insured. Police can only investigate the break in but unless they come across the trees somewhere and they have pictures with them and are able to identify them there is no chance. And police will not be investigating this in any way.

 

[Clicio]

A lawyer can't do anything as you can't make insurance claims on things that are not actually insured. And police will not be investigating this in any way.

@choppychoppy thanks a lot.
We were afraid this would be the outcome.
Add to the fact a very valuable tree for us is just a houseplant for them, and there's no hope.

 

[sorce]

Lotta people have Dogs.

That's key, but only if they're allowed access to sense your area and know how important it is to you.

My dog only barks when someone is at the door, I could get a doggie door and hope he scares someone off before he licks em and shit....

But a dog that will eat a MF's A is protection against theft.

I believe most people here also have some form of Cold Steel insurance policy.

As Bonsai People. ......
We take Matter into our hands all the time.
Might as well take Matters into our own hands too!

Sorce

 

[Clicio]

Lotta people have Dogs.

I have a dog (my friend doesn't ).
My dog's favorite snacks are bonsai trees.

 

[sorce]

I have a dog (my friend doesn't ).
My dog's favorite snacks are bonsai trees.

Hopefully then, of someone ever tries to steal your trees, they stuff them down their pants and your dog catches them ready for a snack!

Power of positive can fetch them back.
Most of the ones I read about get returned.
Remember that it doesn't take long for a stupid criminal to find out there really is no "fence" for bonsai.

They are really quite Valueless in the hands of non bonsai folks.

So you may want to scour some possible dump off sites in the days ahead, maybe to find some potless trees that can still be saved.

Start posting flyers.

Somebody's momma knows who has em.
Just gotta find that Somebody's momma!

Good Skill!

Sorce

 

[Clicio]

Power of positive can fetch them back.
Most of the ones I read about get returned.

I really hope so!

 

[sorce]

I really hope so!

That's + !

Just think of it as a Game of hide and seek...
A game of hide and seek with Morons!

But to find a moron you have to think like a moron! Fuck that!

That's why find the Momma, she's more honest, sitting there wondering "what are these boys up to"...
When she finds the flyer at the grocery store.
She'll call you because she already wants to, she just doesn't know who you are!

Sorce

 

[Clicio]

That's why find the Momma, she's more honest, sitting there wondering "what are these boys up to"..

hahaha, you are one of the very few people that makes me laugh at least once a day!
And I THANK YOU for that, @sorce !

 

[rockm]

A very good friend of mine, bonsaist for more than 20 years had his house broken in and ALL his bonsai trees, some more than 30 years old, were stolen.
Police said they could not estimate the loss, as there was no price tag on the trees, and so...
He lost 20 years of bonsai work and some beloved trees.
Is there any kind of insurance against this possibility?

The short answer is "sure" The correct answer is "you don't need it because mostly your (And most everyone else's) trees aren't worth all that much"

You can ask your insurance company if you could get a "fine arts rider" for your policy, which is a premium above your regular homeowners.
https://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/08/insuring-fine-art/
It's not necessary or realistic though. Like I said, your trees will always be worth more to you than to anyone else. Most people vastly overestimate their trees' actual market value --a hint, it's about 1/5 of what you paid retail, probably less...What is most valuable, your time and effort, aren't part of the equation for the most part...

Sales receipts are your friend in ANY insurance claim...as are photos of the stolen goods.

 

[Clicio]

AND the japanese pots...

 

[bonsaidave]

Spread the word and pictures around the area bonsai groups. Also into neighboring states too.

I see those alerts on bonsai forums sometimes. Basically a call to look out for this or that tree or pot being sold. Keep an eye on eBay and Craigslist too. Sometimes they sell them out of your state.

These are all long shots at finding something that is missing but you never know.


A word about the world. Pieces of shit are all around us wearing people suits. The pieces of shit are out there just waiting to ruin your life. Don't be complacent in your safe environment. Safety is a facade that can vanish in an instant.