Protecting your cask

Investing in whisky casks is both exciting and rewarding, but with valuable liquid assets comes the need for proper protection. Braeside Bond offers specialist whisky cask insurance, ensuring that your investment is safeguarded against a range of potential risks while stored in a bonded warehouse.

This page explains what is covered under our insurance policy—providing peace of mind against unforeseen events such as fire, theft, and accidental damage—as well as outlining any exclusions to be aware of. Understanding the scope of coverage ensures you can confidently manage your cask holdings, knowing they are protected under the right terms.

What’s Covered

Whisky cask insurance offered by Braeside Bond provides essential protection for cask owners, covering a range of potential risks that could lead to damage or loss. This includes:

Fire and Lightning – Protection against accidental fires and lightning strikes.

Explosion – Covers damage from sudden and violent explosions.

Aircraft and Impact – Protection against falling aircraft or objects, as well as vehicle collisions.

Riot, Civil Commotion, and Malicious Damage – Covers damage caused by disturbances, protests, or vandalism.

Earthquake, Storm, and Flood – Safeguards against natural disasters that could affect cask storage.

Falling Trees – Protection against trees collapsing onto storage facilities.

Escape of Water – Covers damage from leaks, burst pipes, or water system failures.

Theft – Includes coverage for stolen casks, typically where forced entry is involved.

Subsidence – Protection against ground movement that may damage storage sites.

Accidental Damage – Covers unforeseen incidents causing harm to casks.

What’s Not Covered – Risks for Cask Owners

While cask insurance offers broad coverage, there are critical exclusions that cask owners should be aware of:

Cask Leakage and Natural Evaporation – The "angel’s share" (natural loss of whisky over time) is not covered.

Quality and Maturation Issues – If whisky fails to mature as expected or develops faults (e.g., tainting from poor wood quality), insurance will not compensate.

Gradual Wear and Tear – Damage due to long-term ageing, wood deterioration, or cask failure over time is not included.

Market Value Fluctuations – Insurance does not protect against drops in whisky cask prices.
 

In summary

By understanding what is covered and what is excluded under Braeside Bond’s policy, you can make informed decisions about your whisky casks and avoid any unwelcome surprises. Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to whisky cask investment, proper coverage helps safeguard the value of your assets, allowing you to focus on growing your collection with confidence.