Clients of The 1916 Company receive instant coverage through Chubb from Mr. Wonderful’s collector-focused insurance service.
The 1916 Company, the leading destination for luxury watches and jewelry, is proud to announce a strategic alliance and exclusive partnership with WonderCare, the innovative watch insurance platform founded by venture capitalist, watch collector, and star of ABC’s Shark Tank, Kevin O’Leary.
WonderCare is powered by Chubb Studio, the digital integration platform developed by Chubb, a world leader in insurance, which seamlessly integrates insurance protection within the customer journeys of its partners.
The partnership offers collectors and enthusiasts a streamlined solution to insure their luxury timepieces with coverage backed by Chubb, the number one personal lines insurer for high-net worth families in the US, providing peace of mind with unmatched confidence and ease.
The 1916 Company’s core value system is rooted in supporting the needs of clients and collectors, offering products and services designed to enhance their watch and jewelry experience. Through this partnership, clients of The 1916 Company can quickly and easily access WonderCare’s platform to insure their watches at the time of purchase.
“The thrill of acquiring a new timepiece should be seamlessly matched by the ease of insuring it,” said Amy McNeece, Head of Digital Consumer for Personal Risk Services at Chubb. “We are pleased to collaborate with
WonderCare and The 1916 Company to provide their clients with tailored coverage built into a digitally curated purchase experience.”
Clients will benefit from competitive rates and a fully digital, efficient process, allowing them to receive quotes, activate coverage, add newly acquired timepieces to their policy, as well as remove pieces no longer in their collection, and update valuations. All of these actions can be done at the moment of purchase or later, from the comfort of their homes.
“WonderCare offers a simple and effective way to safeguard your watch collection,” said John Shmerler, CEO of The 1916 Company. “As the luxury watch market continues to grow, the need for a tailored, easy-to-access insurance solution has never been more critical. We’re excited to bring this valuable service to our clients, addressing the gap in the market, and ensuring that the process of protecting luxury timepieces is as smooth and seamless as possible.”
Kevin O’Leary, Chairman of WonderCare, created the platform in response to the challenge of finding an insurance product that truly meets the needs of collectors. “I founded WonderCare to ensure that timepieces are accurately appraised and covered for their replacement value, not a depreciated figure,” O’Leary explained, noting that many policies fail to cover an item’s replacement value, which could exceed the retail price.
“WonderCare offers a nuanced solution to this issue, providing a tech-enabled process that meets the needs of collectors. Through our partnership with The 1916 Company and Chubb’s digital protection platform, we aim to equip collectors with the best tools and services to help protect – and truly enjoy – their collections. This relationship is a perfect match, combining my passion for the art of watchmaking and the excitement of collecting.”
Shmerler added, “Kevin’s profound love for watches and his understanding of the collector’s mindset were key drivers for us to establish this partnership. He recently joined us at our Lounge in New York for a deeply personal conversation with George Mayer, our President of E-Commerce, International, and Pre-Owned Watches, to explore extraordinary pieces in his collection – from vintage to modern, priceless to attainable – including the most established houses and beloved independent brands, his signature red straps, and so much more.”
As part of this partnership, The 1916 Company will refer clients to WonderCare’s platform while maintaining its focus on providing exceptional service and expertise in the luxury watch space. Insurance services, including claims, policy adjustments, and support, will be managed directly by WonderCare and its licensed agents.
To learn more about The 1916 Company’s exclusive WonderCare offering, visit www.the1916company.com/partnerships/wondercare.
