How to insure your jewelry before you travel

You may not leave home with jewelry that is as elaborate or expensive as Elizabeth Taylor’s or Kim Kardashian’s. However, you can use their situations to understand why the right insurance needs to be in place when you travel.

In 1969, actors Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor purchased a 69-carat, pear-cut diamond, and Taylor wore it briefly as a ring before having it reset as a necklace. It was originally owned by Harriet Annenberg Ames, who was said to have sold it because she felt as though she couldn’t wear it in public for fear of being robbed and because letting it sit in a bank vault was a waste.

And while Taylor may not have been afraid to show off the diamond, due to the terms of Burton’s million-dollar insurance policy, she could only wear it 30 days out of the year. The rest of the time it needed to stay in a secure bank vault, and when she did go out in public with it on, she must be accompanied by armed guards.¹

While staying at a VIP apartment in Paris, Kim Kardashian was robbed and briefly held hostage at gunpoint. The perpetrator took an estimated $10 million in jewels, including her diamond engagement ring, valued at $4.49 million. While her insurance company paid out over $6.1 million to compensate her for the loss, they sued to get the money from her security team, saying they were negligent in their duties.²

Like Taylor and Kardashian, you need to make sure that you have enough insurance and that you’re following the parameters in order to maintain full protection on the item. Here are a few questions to ask before you travel with your jewelry:

• Do you have valuables coverage?  In most cases, your homeowners insurance policy will not cover the full loss of an expensive piece of jewelry. Look for a valuable articles policy that will not cap your limit at $5,000.

• Is the coverage worldwide? Not all policies offer coverage overseas. Look for one that allows you to travel with your jewelry.

• Is there a deductible? Some policies will provide coverage for most causes of loss – including “mysterious disappearance” – without a deductible.

• Does it include inflation protection? Look for a policy that will pay up to 150% of the amount of the policy to account for inflation.

• Does it include newly acquired pieces? If you plan to purchase additional pieces, you will want a policy that automatically covers your newly acquired jewelry, for up to 25% of your itemized limit, for 90 days if you already have jewelry coverage in place.

• Do you have an up-to-date appraisal? The more information you can provide to your insurance company, the better they can assist you if you lose or damage a piece of jewelry. Keep an up-to-date appraisal in a secured area, that includes the type of jewelry, what it’s made of, the gemstones used and how they are graded. Make sure the condition of the piece is included and check with your policy expert to keep pace with market fluctuations if you have a rare piece or large collection.

• Are you taking safety precautions? Regardless of the jewelry’s value or the specific terms of the policy, always adhere to these general safety rules:

  • When traveling, keep your expensive items with you at all times or use the hotel vault to store them (not a room safe).
  • Don’t pack jewelry in your checked luggage or wear it in less secure areas like the pool or beach.
  • Consider investing in “travel jewelry” – Elizabeth Taylor had a replica of her renowned diamond made for $2,800, which was a fraction of the cost of the real thing, but probably made her trips more carefree.¹

For more tips for traveling with fine jewelry and watches, click here.