Do I Need an Appraisal? Take the Quiz to Find Out

Wondering if you need an art appraisal?
Whether you're donating a piece, updating your insurance, settling an estate, or just curious about its value, this quick quiz will help you determine if a professional appraisal is necessary—and which type is right for your situation.

Take the quiz to find out if you need an appraisal, what kind, and when to get started.

If you’ve ever inherited a work of art, donated a piece to a museum, or simply wondered what that painting in your hallway might be worth, you’ve probably asked yourself: Do I actually need an appraisal?

The answer isn’t always obvious. Appraisals are professional tools—used for legal, financial, tax, and insurance purposes—but not every situation calls for one. Sometimes, online research or a quick market check is sufficient. Other times, a formal, USPAP-compliant appraisal is not just recommended—it’s required.

To help demystify the process, we created a free, interactive quiz:

It takes less than two minutes and will guide you toward the right next step based on your specific goals and circumstances.

In this post, we’ll walk through the types of situations where an appraisal may (or may not) be necessary, explain what appraisals are used for, and share how our quiz can save you time, money, and uncertainty.

What Is an Art Appraisal?

At its core, an appraisal is a formal, documented opinion of value prepared by a qualified professional. In the art world, appraisals are used for:

• Charitable donations (IRS Form 8283)

• Estate planning or settlement

• Insurance coverage and claims

• Equitable distribution (e.g. divorce or inheritance)

• Gifting and financial planning

• Pre-sale strategy or market research

Appraisals are not guesses. They’re developed according to rigorous standards—especially for tax and legal use—and include research, market data, condition review, and professional analysis. As an appraiser, my job is to support clients with clear, defensible value opinions based on the intended use of the report.

But here’s the thing: not every situation requires a full appraisal.

When You Do Need an Appraisal

If you’re unsure whether an appraisal is necessary, ask yourself these three questions:

1. Is the value being submitted to someone else?

If the value will be used by a third party—like the IRS, an insurance company, a court, or another family member—you probably need a formal, USPAP-compliant appraisal.

Examples:

• You’re donating a painting to a museum and want to claim a tax deduction.

• You’re settling an estate and need to file Form 706.

• You’re dividing artwork in a divorce or among heirs.

• You’re insuring a collection or filing a claim after damage or loss.

2. Is there a legal, financial, or fiduciary process involved?

When the valuation is part of a legal or financial process, accuracy and compliance matter. Most attorneys, accountants, and insurance adjusters require an appraisal to support documentation and ensure fair treatment of assets.

3. Could inaccurate valuation lead to risk or conflict?

In situations involving multiple stakeholders, even minor disagreements over value can snowball. A formal appraisal provides a clear, neutral basis for decision-making and reduces the risk of disputes.

When You Might Not Need an Appraisal

There are plenty of times when an appraisal isn’t required—and we say that openly because no one should pay for a service they don’t need.

You may not need an appraisal if:

• You’re simply curious about a piece in your collection

• You’re selling a lower-value item yourself (e.g., under $1,000)

• You’re exploring your options and not ready to take action

• Your insurance policy provides blanket coverage and doesn’t require scheduled documentation

In those cases, we often recommend a Mini Appraisal—a simplified, low-cost service that provides a brief market value estimate for personal use only. It’s perfect for early-stage planning, exploratory pricing, or non-binding decision support.

What the Quiz Covers

The “Do I Need an Appraisal?” quiz helps you quickly determine whether an appraisal is required, what kind of report you might need, and how to move forward. It’s designed to be both educational and efficient, asking just the right questions to steer you in the right direction.

Topics the quiz covers include:

• Your intended use (donation, insurance, estate, resale, curiosity)

• Whether the piece is already insured or part of a legal process

• Whether you’ve received acceptance for a donation

• The timing of your gift or sale

• Whether you’re looking for market insight or just a quick value

• Your budget and expectations for the level of detail needed

You’ll receive personalized next steps based on your answers—including recommendations for whether to move forward with a formal appraisal, explore a Mini Appraisal, or simply reach out for more clarity.

Designed for Real People

We built this quiz because we know the process can be confusing—especially if you’re not working with a museum, a major law firm, or a family office. You might just be an individual who inherited a few pieces or is downsizing after decades of collecting. We’ve designed the experience to be approachable, judgment-free, and helpful whether you own a single piece or an entire collection.

What Happens After the Quiz?

After you take the quiz, your results are sent directly to your email. Based on your responses, you’ll be guided to:

• Book a formal appraisal, if your situation requires it

• Order a Mini Appraisal, if you just need a market check

• Reach out with questions, if you’re still unsure

• Or, in some cases, be told that an appraisal probably isn’t necessary right now

Why It’s Important to Get It Right

Appraisals aren’t just about the number—they’re about using the right number, in the right format, for the right purpose. A donation appraisal is different from an insurance appraisal. A fair market valuation is different from replacement value. And “curious what it’s worth” is different from “I’m signing Form 8283.”

Our goal is to help you get it right the first time—so your documentation is defensible, your paperwork is in order, and your decisions are based on something better than a Google search.

Ready to Find Out If You Need an Appraisal?

Taking the quiz is the fastest way to get clarity. It’s free, quick, and tailored to help you avoid unnecessary costs or confusion.