Do you have an expensive engagement ring? Do you want to buy a diamond necklace but are worried about its safety? Then, you need to opt for jewelry insurance, which is an excellent way of protecting the value of your jewelry.
While you can get jewelry insurance for any piece of jewelry you have, it is mainly used for replacing expensive items in case of damage, theft, or loss.
Jewelry insurance covers wear and tear, especially for preventative repairs. However, gradual deterioration to the jewelry is not covered under the policy.
Do you want to know more about jewelry insurance and what it covers?
Keep reading, and you will understand how important it is to get jewelry insurance for your most precious items.
1. Fire and smoke
Fire and smoke can cause damages to your precious jewelry, together with other items in your home. Your home insurance and jewelry policies will cover the damages and reimburse for the expenses.
If the condition in your home caused by fire and smoke requires you to live elsewhere for a certain period, then your home insurance policy will cover all the damages. You can also get the jewelry replaced with another item.
2. Lightning strikes
Your home might be susceptible to damage from lightning. If the damages occur to your jewelry, for instance, due to power surges, then your home insurance and jewelry policies will cover the damage.
Lightning can also cause damages to the electronics, which might eventually cause damage to your jewelry. In such cases, filing a claim under your homeowner insurance policy is helpful to cover the expenses.
3. Explosions
Regardless of the source, explosions can create damages to your entire property and not just your home. Homeowners and jewelry insurance policy can cover all the damages caused to your valuables.
Whether the explosion has occurred due to a propane grill, aerosol, or other causes, you should apply for a claim as soon as possible.
4. Windstorms
Wind and hail damage can also cause extensive damage to your jewelry, especially if you are traveling outside. Your policy might cover this. However, you need to read the rules to ensure it’s not excluded.
Wind-driven snow or rain can get inside your home and cause damage to your precious belongings. If you live in an area where windstorms and hail are common, make sure your policy covers their damage.
5. Vandalism
Your homeowner insurance policy will cover any damage caused by vandalism. Usually, your jewelry will be replaced by another item to cover the expenses.
6. Water Damage
Water heaters or burst pipes can also cause accidental damages to your precious jewelry. Make sure your homeowner policy covers water damage under different situations. So if an accidental situation arises, you can recover the cost of your damaged jewelry.
A homeowner policy covers accidental damages caused by water heaters or burst pipes. However, if the damage occurs because of a flood, you will need a flood insurance policy.
Similarly, additional coverage is required if the damages are caused by an overflow of water, sewers, or drains.
A floater can also help you cover the coast. A floater exceeds the coverage limits of the existing insurance policy. It includes all the losses that might have been excluded from your standard policy.
7. Ice, sleet, or snow
Sometimes, the weight of ice and snow can cause the roof of your home to cave in. If damages occur because of such a situation, your insurance policy can cover the cost of repairing or replacing your jewelry.
8. Theft
Items stolen are covered by personal property coverage, usually part of the homeowner’s insurance policy. However, there is a limit to how much you would be paid in return for stolen things. For more expensive jewelry, you might need separate jewelry insurance.
If an intruder gains access to the items in your house or breaks into it, your insurance policy will be covering all the damages.
However, if you have something costly, you would have to purchase additional coverage for that item. This is because homeowner policies usually have a limit when it comes to covering for stolen items.
For instance, many policies impose a $1,500 limit for stolen jewelry, watches, and precious stones. This is because jewelry is effortless to steal. Some deductibles can reduce the amount you get after the claim.
Therefore, make sure you have checked your policy and know the limitations it imposes. If your jewelry is much more expensive than what is covered by the policy, you should get additional coverage.
9. Accidental losses
A stand-alone jewelry insurance policy covers accidental losses, such as leaving your ring in a hotel room or dropping it in the bathroom sink.
10. Wear and Tear
Over time, your jewelry might be broken or chipped, especially if you wear it continuously. Additional coverage can help you repair or replace the damaged jewelry.
What’s not covered under jewelry insurance?
Though jewelry insurance covers most damages, here are some damages that are not covered under jewelry insurance.
1. Civil authority
If your jewelry is confiscated by law enforcement or governmental agencies during an investigation, then its cost is not covered under any jewelry insurance policy.
2. Intentional acts
Once you file the claim, the insurance agency will run a thorough check to ensure you have lost or damaged your jewelry. In case of any false claims, the agency will not cover the cost.
3. Infestation
Insects, vermin, and rodents can also attack your precious items, especially an heirloom in the attic. Insurance policies do not cover the cost of damages in such cases, as it is expected that you will take care of your items.
4. Resizing and cleaning
If your jewelry gets damaged when cleaning or resizing it, the policy won’t cover the damage. Therefore, you should take extra precautions when inspecting your jewelry or causing any changes to it.
5. Gradual Deterioration
Damages to your jewelry that occur over time might not always be covered under the insurance policy.
However, some insurance policies might cover preventative repairs such as clasp replacement, bent prongs, broken posts, prong re-tipping, stretch pearl strands, and stone tightening.
6. Voluntary parting
If you sell your insured jewelry item but the check bounces, the insurance agency won’t cover your damages.
In such instances, it will be best to contact the buying party regarding the check and take precautions.
Conclusion
Most jewelry is a treasured possession. However, unexpected situations such as theft, vandalism, and accidents can occur at any time. In such times of crisis, an insurance policy can save you from a lot of hassle.
Jewelry insurance covers any damages to the jewelry in conditions such as fire, windstorms, lightning, explosions, and wear and tear. If your jewelry is stolen or lost, the insurance policy can help you replace the item.
However, a jewelry insurance policy does not cover jewelry that has been confiscated by law enforcement agencies, infestation, intentional damages, gradual deterioration, damages caused during resizing, and voluntary parting.
Do you want to know more about the insurance process?
You can get advice and suggestions regarding jewelry insurance at Jewelers Connect. You can get connected with an insurance expert through the process, learn how to file a claim, and decide the policy you should pick.
In this way, you can save a lot of time. So if you have a prized possession and want to protect it, get it insured. Get in touch with an expert at Jewelers Connect and learn how to protect your precious jewelry.