Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and there is a great chance that you purchased a piece of expensive jewelry for the special person in your life – deservedly so. Purchasing jewelry or any valuable item is a big ordeal and should certainly be treated as such. Often, there is a significant meaning behind the gifts. Wedding rings symbolize the commitment of two lovers, a bracelet can demonstrate a parent’s love for their child, and an heirloom represents pride for one’s legacy. The emotional value associated with gifts of this nature far exceed the financial investment of purchasing the item, yet many fail to take the steps necessary to protect both.
There are several important steps involved in getting the right jewelry insurance, whether you add this coverage to an existing policy or purchase coverage separately.
To properly insure expensive jewelry, the first step is to know what you have. Many people put jewelry away in a box and rarely consider its value or how they would file a claim in the event of a house fire or burglary. The first step is to take an inventory of your jewelry items, along with the other personal possessions and valuables in your home.
Next, get your jewelry appraised by a professional. An appraiser can determine the current value of your pieces, and can help you document their features for insurance purposes.
If you have a receipt of purchase for your jewelry items, keep those receipts with your appraisal documents. Both pieces of information – what you paid for each piece and its appraised value – can be very helpful in the event of a loss.
Finally, work with an insurance agent to assess the amount of insurance you need for your special piece of jewelry or collection. To add these items to your homeowners insurance policy, you will typically need to add a rider for each piece; if you have a valuable engagement ring, and your husband has an expensive watch, for example, you will need to list each piece separately.
Note also that diamond and gold prices fluctuate regularly, which means it’s a good idea to get your valuable pieces appraised every few years and review your insurance riders to make sure you are properly covered.