However, if the insurance company replaces the toy, rather than making a cash settlement, the agent should communicate this to the collector to ensure that the collector will be satisfied with the results. In addition to your inventory list, other records can help protect a collection. Photos can also prove your ownership of the toy. A small toy manufacturer used published photos of their miniature pedal cars in a lawsuit against a much larger company to prove it was the original manufacturer. Marking toys is another way to protect them against theft.
Some collectors use pens with invisible ink.
Collectors should also consider the risks to which they expose their toys, such as unsafe shelving and lighting which will fade their teddy bears , dolls and paper collectibles . Even visitors who unthinkingly play with toys may break or damage them or dirty them with fingerprints. Fire can damage a collection even though it never touches the toy room, and heat and smoke can bake a film onto the toys which cannot be removed. Also, extreme heat or cold can damage toys, and a collector should be careful not to store plastic or other toys in an attic or a room where temperature fluctuates widely. Although you may not expect a tragedy to befall your collection, insurance can help you cover your loss.