Global
Austria
Germany
Spain
France
Italy
A Conversation with Aimone Bonsi, General Agent of Generali Italia’s Agenzia di Venezia San Marco (Venice San Marco Agency)
On the occasion of the inauguration of the Biennale, Venice once again becomes an international crossroads of art, culture and dialogue. In this symbolic setting, Alberto Magni, Head of ARTE Generali Italia, met with Aimone Bonsi at the Procuratie in Piazza San Marco. The encounter gave rise to a conversation that explores the role and impact of an agency deeply rooted in its territory, called upon every day to protect a heritage that is unique in the world—one shaped by history, art and identity.
Venice is a city unlike any other for its historical and artistic value. Generali also has an inseparable historical bond with the city. In your day‑to‑day work, how do you experience and interpret this legacy in your relationship with clients?
The Agenzia di Venezia San Marco -Venice San Marco Agency-, heir to the historic local management headquarters located at the “Bocca di Piazza” (editorial note: the area at the very entrance of St Mark’s Square. Over time “Bocca di Piazza” became synonymous with prestige, visibility and centrality, making it a highly significant location for the city’s most important institutions) has always been a point of reference for Venetians and for many of the city’s institutions. Operating in a “fragile” and complex city like Venice requires highly specialized advisory expertise. Through our daily work, we protect not only businesses but also the residents’ unique real estate heritage, tailoring insurance solutions to the specific risks of the lagoon.
Knowing Venice means understanding what an exceptional high-water event truly entails, or how complex it is to restore a listed historical building. We do not simply sell policies to our clients; we provide technical advice rooted in a deep understanding of the territory’s unique risks. Experiencing the bond between Generali and Venice means feeling both the weight and the pride of a history that began here almost two centuries ago. This is not just marketing—it is a legacy that shapes the way we work.
We also act as custodians of trust in a city at risk of depopulation: our Agency remains a physical presence. Clients who walk through our door are seeking the solidity of the Lion of Saint Mark, but they also want to speak with someone who lives with—and understands—the same challenges they face.
When did your collaboration with ARTE Generali begin?
We first came into contact with ARTE Generali at the beginning of 2022, following a referral from the technical team in Mogliano, in response to a request to provide a quotation for the contents and historic-artistic furnishings of an important Venetian palace. On that occasion, we engaged directly with the ARTE Generali team, who conducted an on-site visit to the property.
The team’s availability and expertise were exemplary, enabling not only the immediate issuance of the policy, but also the expansion of the relationship with the client to cover an additional residence—also historic and furnished with works of art—located on Via del Gesù in Milan.
Our collaboration with ARTE Generali has since become almost daily. They support us in insuring the countless exhibitions held in Venice, and this partnership has allowed us to establish ourselves as a market leader in the Fine Art sector.
From your privileged perspective, what are the most complex insurance challenges today in protecting such a valuable artistic and cultural heritage, particularly in relation to climate risks, ageing and other well-known threats?
The critical challenges we face every day in protecting our cultural heritage are numerous. I will highlight a few key ones.
Climate unpredictability. Today, the issue is no longer limited to high water levels—now mitigated by the MOSE system, which we also insure. The real challenge lies in extreme weather events, such as intense rainfall and strong winds, which affect historic structures never designed to withstand such loads. Providing adequate insurance coverage for historic palazzi is complex, as damage to a roof alone can compromise frescoes or archives of inestimable value.
The ageing–restoration dynamic. In Venice, the wear of time is accelerated by salt air and rising damp. One of the greatest challenges is distinguishing between ordinary or extraordinary maintenance—which is not insurable—and accidental damage. Our approach emphasizes preventive consultancy: we help clients understand that prevention is the best form of protection, while also offering coverage that reflects the often prohibitive costs of conservation-restoration works subject to heritage authority constraints.
Higher logistical costs. In a city built on water, any loss event is magnified by logistical complexity. When a historic building is damaged, the costs of transporting materials and installing scaffolding are significantly higher than on the mainland. Moreover, the conversion of many historic properties into hospitality venues adds the risk of business interruption to the protection of physical assets. Safeguarding the income of those who depend on culture and hospitality is just as complex as protecting the buildings themselves.
Being an insurance partner of the 2026 Venice Biennale, together with ARTE Generali, represents a mark of excellence. What does this recognition mean to you, and what specific expertise do you bring to an event of such scale and sensitivity?
This year, thanks to ARTE Generali, we are once again the insurers of the Art Exhibition. The specialized expertise of ARTE Generali combines with that of our Agency to provide timely and effective responses, particularly during the exhibition’s lengthy installation phase, which lasts several months.
The issuance of certificates—simple in nature but substantial in volume—alongside transport-related challenges and the diverse requirements of artists from all over the world, demand constant availability, efficiency and the ability to deliver immediate answers.
Finally, how has the demand for Fine Art insurance solutions evolved in recent years, and what developments do you foresee for the future?
In recent years, Fine Art has undergone a significant transformation. Whereas artworks were once family assets meant to be passed down through generations, they are now increasingly viewed as investment assets. This shift has led clients to seek more technical insurance solutions, covering not only physical damage but also potential loss in artistic value following restoration.
Moreover, even in Venice, collections circulate more frequently for exhibitions or loans. As a result, demand has moved towards “nail‑to‑nail” coverage, with heightened sensitivity to risks during transit in the lagoon—where, unfortunately, specialized operators are not always involved.
Improving an already highly effective collaboration with ARTE Generali is challenging. The service is efficient and of exceptional quality. In particular, the risk assessment we offer is a powerful tool, both for attracting new clients and for strengthening relationships with existing ones.
Final note
The photographs were taken at the Procuratie in Piazza San Marco, Venice. Here, on the third floor, at The Home of The Human Safety Net, visitors can experience the permanent interactive exhibition A World of Potential, curated by Orna Cohen and designed by Studio Migliore+Servetto, which invites visitors to The Home on a journey to discover their own potential. The exhibition unfolds through 16 multimedia installations, each representing a human strength and connecting visitors to The Human Safety Net’s mission through the stories of its protagonists.
From 7 May, visitors will also be able to access the exhibition by Marinella Senatore, We Rise by Lifting Others, an art project born out of a participatory and transformative process that involved families at risk of social exclusion, supported by The Human Safety Net and some of its NGO partners in Warsaw, Mestre, and Palermo.