Since 2019, AMM has been partnered with HUB International, one of the world’s leading risk management service providers, to provide member museums of all sizes access to individualized insurance programs for their buildings, collections, operations, and more. We were proud to welcome Distinguished Fine Art & Collectibles to the team in 2023 to expand property and liability services for members. Over the coming year, we’ll get to know their team more through the AMM Conference and other programs. Meanwhile, we thought it would be fun to introduce the guy who started it all – Eric Dougal, the “Museum Insurance Guy” at HUB International.
Based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Eric has eight years of experience insuring museums. In this blog post, learn about Eric’s passion for museums and his unique perspective on preserving cultural heritage as he shares insights into his work and aspirations before this year’s AMM Conference.
Eric, tell us what your role is at HUB and where you’re located.
I’m the Risk Advisor for HUB’s Nonprofit and Cultural Institutions practice in the Midwest, based in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
How long have you been in this space and tell us why this type of work is important to you?
I have been working with museums my entire career (8 years). Prior to moving into insurance, I was a college basketball coach. The impact we have on institutions and their communities is incredible. When we save them money, they are able to build on their mission and provide even more community support.
How do you help AMM member museums and institutions?
I work with museums to find the best insurance coverage at reasonable prices. I understand the nuances of museum insurance and will work with you to find the right coverage for your collections and assets. We recently teamed up with Distinguished’s Fine Art and Collectibles program to offer additional resources and an exclusive discount for AMM members.
If you could meet any artist alive or dead, who would it be and why?
I think I would have to choose Leonardo Da Vinci. There are so many questions that I would like to ask him.
If you had all the money in the world, what’s something you want to collect?
If I had all the money in the world, I would collect more artwork from local and regional artists and create more opportunities to showcase those artists. There is so much artistic talent in our communities, and they don’t get enough recognition.
Tell us what the most unique thing(s) you’ve been asked to insure?
We insure so many unique objects and works of art. From historic and classic cars to Picassos and other famous artists, to historic houses and toys. I think the most unique thing I insure is an SR-71 aircraft located at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, MI. Very few SR-71’s are still in existence, and this is a training version of that aircraft. One of my favorite museum opportunities was sitting in the cockpit of the SR-71 and having a pilot who flew that exact plane tell me all about it. This aircraft was so advanced for its time, that the Air Zoo still must get special permission to open up the cockpit.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the members?
Museums play a special role in our communities, and I love to learn about their history and find ways to help them impact their communities.
We’ve partnered with Distinguished Fine Art and Collectibles to provide tailored insurance solutions. By leveraging our expertise and resources, we aim to meet the unique needs of museums and institutions of all sizes and backgrounds. As a member of AMM, you’ll receive an exclusive discount when selecting us for your insurance solutions.
For more information about the exclusive insurance solutions and benefits offered by HUB International and Distinguished Fine Art & Collectibles program through its partnerships with AMM, please reach out to Eric Dougal. His contact information is below.
Eric Dougal, Risk Management Advisor
HUB International Limited
eric.dougal@hubinternational.com
M: 608.931.1848