A pawnbroker shall be liable for partial or total loss of a pledge or for damage thereto when caused by failure by the pawnbroker to exercise reasonable care in regard thereto or by fire, theft or burglary resulting from failure by the pawnbroker to exercise reasonable care in regard thereto; and he shall not be liable in the absence of an express written agreement to the contrary for the loss of a pledge, or part thereof, or for damage thereto, which could not have been avoided by the exercise of such reasonable care. The burden of proof to establish reasonable care shall be upon the pawnbroker. The Secretary of Banking may require a pawnbroker to carry adequate insurance on pledges if the financial responsibility of the pawnbroker does not assure adequate protection to the pledger.
63 P.S. § 281-20