Jewelry insurance may not rank up there as the most romantic of Valentine's Day, or birthday gifts, but just imagine if this happened to you:
There is always a sense of excitement when your loved one gives you one of those unassuming little boxes. You start to tingle as you open it, and there it is, glistening at you - diamond jewelry. The last thing to go through your mind, at that moment, is what it feels like if you suddenly lose that precious gift, and all too often it happens.In this article we are going to look at the importance of getting a good jewelry appraisal, how to find a good appraiser, and the actual jewelry insurance.Why do we need a good appraisal?The appraisal will give you a highly detailed description of your jewelry. It will take into account things like:
The colour rating
The clarity rating
Whether there are any inscriptions, and what they say
If the stone is naturalIt will also give you an estimated replacement cost for the jewelry. All of these things will help to settle any claim that you may need to make, in the quickest possible time.How do find a good jewelry appraiser?First, a note of caution, beware of cheap appraisals. We all like to get a bargain, but when it comes to things like insurance, especially for something as valuable as jewelry; you need to know that what you have the jewelry insured for is a true representation of the value.If you have your jewelry valued at $20,000 by someone who doesn't really know what they're doing, you'll be paying premiums based on that $20,000 valuation. If the jewelry is lost, and turns out to 'only' be worth $15,000 then that is what you'll get back, you'll have wasted money on the additional $5,000 it was over valued at.You should look for an appraiser that is recognized by the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), National Association of Gem and Jewelry Appraiser's (NGJA), or the International Society of Appraisers (ISA). Make sure they charge either by the piece, or by the hour (never by a percentage of the appraisal value); is able to provide references; is able to show you a copy of their 'professional profile' (list of history of education and experience); and is up to date on the current market and specialises in one type of jewelry.The institutions recognising them will vary depending on what country you're located in, but the other considerations are still valid.How do you find the best jewelry policy?Looking for a policy is just about as fun as it sounds, but there are quick ways to get started, and trying to better the quotes can often become addictive.The first place to look at is your homeowner's policy. You can contact the company and ask how much it would cost to have the appraised jewelry added to that policy. Don't add it there and then, it's always advisable to have that least three quotes.The company that provides the homeowner's policy may have a separate policy that you can take out with them. If they do, see if they offer a discount seeing as you already have a policy with them. One of the advantages of a separate policy is that you are still covered if you move house, whereas the homeowner's policy may not cover you if you move.Ask people you know who they use for their policies. Word of mouth is one of the best ways of finding out which companies are best when it comes to actually dealing with their clients.Of course, you're going to want to know what you should be asking so as to make sure you get the best cover for your jewelry, and here are some of the key questions:
Is the full valuation cost covered?
Do they have a recommended jeweler that they use, or will they send you the money?
What proof do you need to supply in order to submit a claim?
How do they handle the replacement of jewelry that is either unique, or inherited?
What does the insurance actually cover you for i.e. theft, loss, or damage? Is there anything it doesn't cover you for?There are probably a number of other questions that you can think of to ask, but these ones should be right up near the top of the list.Now that you know what should be appraised in your jewelry, where to find the best appraisers, and how to get a policy that will cover you for as many things as possible that might go wrong, it's time to get out those precious items, and sort out the appropriate jewelry insurance.

