Authentification of badges / Insurance etc

[wright241]

I am a bit of a collector of various things. Army Badges and British Commonwealth stamps being 2 of them. Now I hear you groaning. However, for years now, good quality and rare stamps have suffered from the same thing that is now happening with badges. Yeah, I know I am probably classed as an anorak, but I don't train-spot ok...
Its getting very difficult to sell (and buyer beware...) good quality stamps unless its accompanied by a certificate - these currently cost around 25ukp (sometimes more). I have had to either pay this for my rare stuff or will only buy if I get one - even the stamp auction houses - no cert, no guarantee - have to go through the motions of getting a certificate.
Its struck me that after all these years - badges are really moving into the same realm as stamps etc etc and maybe "we" need to do something similar.
Unless living in Luxembourg and working here at Airbus in Hamburg has kept me out of the loop somehow and an organisation - apart from this excellent forum - exists, to which I can send "suspects" to - I don't seem to have any choice but to keep sending you pictures OR send everything to an auction house. Wait for them to send me (hopefully) a small portion back as fakes/re-strikes etc - before I find out a) what I should (have - to late now) insure them for and b) justify the expense to the missus as a hobby.
Currently, I can justify the insurance value/replacement etc of the stamps, but I am have serious problems doing the same thing with the badges. I just cannot justify to the insurance company the replacement costs in the event of loss - by whatever means.

Does anyone know a decent insurance company can I use for my Army badges and other items - helmets etc?

I am NOT an old army vet. I was an Army brat and since getting interested in badges, formation signs/titles etc in Eqypt (1954) when I was 7, I have been around. I think something needs to be done, otherwise.......


Rgds, David