Not all art shippers are created equal, especially in locations where the art market is hot and competition for fine art shipping is fierce, places like Aspen, Vail, Santa Fe, Park City, Scottsdale, Jackson Hole and Palm Desert. In today’s art world, it’s disturbingly easy to hire someone with no insurance, no licensing, and no accountability — and never even know it. We call it the “man-with-a-van” conundrum.

We've unfortunately had the not-so-pleasurable first-hand "man-with-a-van" art shipping experience in our little neck of the woods here in Colorado. It was an eye-opening insight into what not to do, one that inspired us to do better. It's a tale as old as modern contractor times… Someone shows up with a cargo van, a free Gmail address, no licensing or operating authority, no cargo coverage, and they’re suddenly entrusted with a $25,000 painting. Oftentimes, when asked if they have insurance, or if they can insure artwork during transit, the majority flat out lie.

Galleries, artists, and collectors all fall victim to this, often without realizing the risks until it's too late. What's worse? Deliberately choosing to hire these "man-with-a-van" shippers despite knowing they are not licensed or adequately insured, if at all.

🚩 The Illusion of Professionalism in the Art Shipping Industry

It's easy to look the part and even easier to talk the talk. But don't just assume that if someone says they’re “insured,” that means the artwork is protected. More often then not, that “insurance” is just:

- Personal auto insurance (not a commercial policy)

- General business liability (which doesn’t cover commercial auto)

- Commercial auto, but no cargo insurance (zero coverage for the actual cargo)

- Or nothing at all

We know the art industry operates in a gray area and highly unregulated fashion, but the biggest shocker when it comes to art shipping is... not researching art shipping companies to find out if they’re operating legally. The sheer number of shipping companies operating without state and/or federal commercial licensing (operating authority) and the required insurance is, well... most. The willingness of the industry to forgo research to vet shipping companies, risking liability, is mind-boggling. Curious how fine art shipping insurance works? —> Check out our last article!

🛡️ The Risks of Hiring Unlicensed, Under Insured or Uninsured Fine Art Shippers

- Lost or damaged artwork with no recourse

- No insurance payout because the carrier had none or never claimed

- Your insurance company dropping you

- No legal remedy because the shipper wasn’t registered or traceable

- Damage to your reputation or relationships

- Potential legal repercussions if the shipper you hire causes accidents or injuries during transit

The reality? Most unlicensed shippers operate completely under the radar… no DOT or MC operating authority, no cargo coverage, and no paper trail. If something goes wrong, they can disappear just as quickly as they showed up, leaving you to deal with the fallout. And in many cases, you won’t know the difference until it’s too late.

It seems that many treat shipping artwork like they’re shipping a bed frame from IKEA or a decorative wall print from Target. But that mindset ignores the fact that fine art isn’t replaceable — and neither is your legal liability if things go wrong.

⚖️ Who’s Liable If Things Go Wrong When Shipping Artwork?

If a shipper causes an accident, damages artwork, or injures someone, and they don’t have proper insurance…guess who may be on the hook?

You.

Whether you’re a gallery, artist, or collector, hiring an unlicensed or uninsured shipper exposes you to:

- Legal liability if you didn’t do your due diligence

- Insurance complications if your own policy excludes third-party damage

- Loss of trust from clients or partners

- Reputational fallout that can be hard to repair

For example:
A gallery hires an unlicensed/uninsured art shipper to transport a valuable painting. During transit, the carrier causes a traffic accident, severely injuring another driver and damaging the sculpture. Because the carrier lacked proper insurance, the gallery — as the hiring party — is sued for damages and medical costs. Without proper due diligence, the gallery faces costly legal battles and liability, even though they weren’t behind the wheel.

🧾 What Licensing and Insurance Should You Expect Fine Art Shipping Companies Have?

Legitimate fine art shippers in Colorado (and most states) are required to carry:

- Motor Carrier (MC) authority through FMCSA.

- Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) for interstate shipments

- Minimum $0.60 per pound carrier liability for damaged or lost freight

- Bodily Injury and Property Damage (BIPD) insurance, usually $300,000 minimum

- Cargo insurance covering the artwork, often arranged through brokers

(Vehicles under 10,001 lbs may not need to display DOT numbers but must still comply with FMCSA and UCR if operating across state lines.)

❓ Questions Everyone Shipping Fine Art Should Ask Carrier's Before They're Hired

1. Are you registered with the UCR? Do you have a USDOT number and MC operating authority?

2. Can you provide a Certificate of Insurance?

3. What is your liability limit for damaged or lost artwork?

4. What are your packing and vehicle safety standards?

5. Do you facilitate or offer all-risk transit insurance?

🤝 What Professional Fine Art Carriers Do Differently

At Arête Logistics, we:

- Carry a $250,000 commercial cargo policy

- Provide $0.60/lb standard carrier liability

- Follow FMCSA and UCR compliance

- Carry $1,000,000 BIPD coverage

- Assist clients in securing all-risk transit insurance

- Communicate clearly and document condition from pickup to delivery

🛑 For Artists and Collectors: Why You Can't Always Trust Galleries When It Comes To Shipping Artwork

Traditionally, galleries act as gatekeepers, vetting shippers on behalf of artists and collectors. But this system isn’t foolproof. Some galleries show favoritism, continuing to use the same shippers even when they know those carriers are unlicensed or uninsured. What's most disturbing is the number of galleries who don't seem to care about the artwork they're shipping and the potential consequences of hiring unlicensed art shippers.

They who control the keys, control the rules of the road.

Gatekeeping art shipping services is a power grab, one that limits client access to high-quality carriers and manipulates pricing. It blocks market visibility by preventing newer and properly licensed and insured shippers from reaching collectors and artists directly. Sales is the goal, and artwork is treated like a number. When it comes to art shipping, it's all about the bottom line, and quality and value go out the door.

This practice might save the gallery time and money, but it knowingly passes risk onto the artist, the collector, and the artwork.

💪 What Can You Do About It? Empower Yourself — Don’t Leave Artwork’s Safety to Chance

Whether you’re buying, selling, or moving artwork, taking the time to research your art shipper can prevent costly and emotional damage. Don’t let assumptions leave you exposed.

Ask questions, demand documentation, and choose professionals who treat art with the care it deserves. Visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA SAFER) website to research fine art shippers before you hire:

1. Scroll to the bottom of the home page to the "FMCSA Searches" section and click "Company Snapshot" Type in the name of the company and click "Search"

   1. If records are found, try to find the name of the company within the list of results.

      • If you find the name of the company, click on it to view the Company Snapshot (make sure the name of the company matches the state the company is based in).

        • Within the Company Snapshot you will see the company's USDOT and MC Authority status.

          - If they are properly licensed and operating legally, they will have "ACTIVE" USDOT status AND an "AUTHORIZED FOR" Operating Authority status.

          - It is possible to have an "ACTIVE" USDOT status and "NOT AUTHORIZED" or "OUT-OF-SERVICE Motor Carrier (MC) Operating Authority status. A USDOT number is REQUIRED for vehicles over 10,001lbs (box trucks and larger).

        • USDOT comes with MC Operating Authority. It is impossible to have a USDOT number without MC Operating Authority. If they have an a "NOT AUTHORIZED" or "OUT OF SERVICE" Operating Authority status, their USDOT cannot be active, and they are not operating legally in accordance with the FMCSA rules and regulations.

          * MC Operating Authority IS REQUIRED for "FOR-HIRE" commercial vehicles, regardless of weight, operating across state lines (interstate) in the U.S. Most states require MC Operating Authority to operate, regardless of weight, within-state lines (intrastate) as well, Colorado included.

   2. If "No records matching" the company's name is the result, go back to the "FMCSA Searches" section on the FMCSA home page and click "Licensing & Insurance"

   
   

2. In the "Legal Name" and/or "DBA Name" input fields, type the name of the company, or the name of the person representing the company. Also select the state in which you believe the carrier is based. This will begin a keyword search.

   • If results are given, click on "HTML" in the "View Details" column. From there you can see their US DOT "Authority Status," "Application Status," "Required Insurance," and "Insurance On File."

   • They will not be given MC Operating Authority if they do not have, or their insurance company has not reported that they have at least the minimum insurance liability required by the FMCSA.

     
     

3. If a carrier has been placed "OUT OF SERVICE" for any reason, they ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO OPERATE, effective immediately the date they were placed out of service, and should cease operations immediately.

   • Operating while out of service comes with massive repercussions, and hiring carriers who have been placed out of service can come with major legal consequences. If you like your fine art shipper, do them and yourself a favor. DON'T HIRE them during this time.

     
     

4. If you would like to gain more insight about a carrier's FMCSA safety history, or why a carrier has been placed "OUT OF SERVICE," while you're in the Company Snapshot, in the under right hand corner, click on "SMS Results."

   • Here you will find in red lettering, an brief explanation of why the carrier was placed out of service, as well as details about safety audits, vehicle inspections, driver history, accidents and crashes.

🎯 Final Thought

We do our research to uphold our quality of services and high ethical standards. You can trust that we at Arête Logistics will never compromise our service or standards by outsourcing, contracting, partner, or work with other art shipping companies that do not have the correct federal operating authority licensing or adequate insurance. There are many ways to save money on art shipping and logistics, but skipping due diligence on your shipping company shouldn’t be one of them.

If you care about the artwork you're shipping and your reputation, vet the person moving it before hiring them. Next time you’re booking a shipment, ask yourself:

Am I trusting a professional — or just a "man with a van?"