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Keeping your jewellery safe
Did you know cash and jewellery are the most common items stolen in burglaries?
It is good practice to lock your doors, even while you are at home, and always secure doors and windows. Avoid advertising your jewellery and other valuables by leaving them in plain sight. Rings and watches are very often left on the window ledges by the kitchen sink, which is a prime location for thieves to reach in and grab them.
If burglars do manage to break into your home, they will likely make a beeline for your jewellery boxes, so it is best to hide any expensive pieces and take care in discarding new jewellery boxes, just in case the wrong person sees them.
If you have expensive jewellery, it is worth considering an affordable home-security system, which are very effective at deterring thieves.
Consider a home safe – even a small one bolted to the wall can elude an opportunistic thief.
Jewellery and your insurance policy
Jewellery can be covered under personal possessions insurance which also includes loss or theft outside of your home. Each piece must be specifically identified and itemised. It is crucial to ensure that the policy limit per item is sufficient to cover the value of your most expensive pieces. The coverage amount may vary depending on your insurance provider.
When making a claim, you will need an accurate valuation of the item, usually in the form of a receipt or valuation certificate. This is a service that many local jewellery stores provide and can be particularly useful for older heirloom pieces that may increase in value over time. The period required in between valuations to determine appreciation in value may vary between insurance companies.
It is worth remembering that:
- If you make a claim, your insurer will offer you the cash equivalent of the item’s material value
- You may have to pay the policy excess if there is one
- You will need to periodically check the single-item limit on your policy to ensure you have the right amount of coverage and that your valuations are up to date
- Overvaluing jewellery could result in paying a higher premium
What to do if you are involved in an accident
If you are involved in an accident, call the Bermuda Police on 911. If anyone is injured, you should also ask for an ambulance to attend the scene. Where possible you must exchange contact details (name, email address, phone number) and insurance information with all parties involved, so that the insurance companies can investigate the claim.
Caring for your jewellery
There are many ways to store your jewellery to avoid damage as a precaution. One safeguard is to keep your items clean and dry and store fine jewellery, costume jewellery and silver jewellery separately because the metals can tarnish if they interact with one another.
You should also remember to:
- Store delicate jewellery carefully in a dark and dry location because precious stones can be damaged by exposure to UV light
- Choose rhodium-plated costume jewellery because the coating will never tarnish
- Take photos and keep an inventory of your fine jewellery so that your collection can be insured
- Jewellery, watches, precious stones and/or gems should be inspected by a qualified jeweller once every three years and any recommended work should be carried out to keep your items safe
In summary
To keep your jewellery collection protected and in good condition, you should:
- Make sure your property is secure
- Keep your most expensive pieces hidden, preferably in a safe
- Store different metals separately to avoid degradation
- And most importantly, make sure your insurance and valuations are up to date should you need to make a claim
To learn more about how Argus protects your home and personal possessions from a variety of threats visit argus.bm/home
Our team are here to help, please contact us at 298-0888 and insurance@argus.bm to discuss your policy today.