Jewelry and Collections Insurance in New Jersey
Most homeowners policies cover only a small amount for stolen jewelry, and often nothing if a ring is simply lost. We insure engagement rings, watches, silver, Judaica, art and collections for what they are actually worth, through standard and Private Client carriers. Stonebrook has protected New Jersey families since 1982.
Reviewed by Nate Feuerman, High Net Worth Insurance Producer at Stonebrook
Last updated
Quick answers
Does homeowners insurance cover jewelry?
Only up to a small limit for theft, often $1,500 for all jewelry and watches combined on the standard homeowners form, unless you schedule it.
What does it mean to schedule jewelry?
You list each item and its appraised value on your policy, so it is insured for that amount, usually including loss and mysterious disappearance.
Do I need an appraisal?
For most valuable pieces, yes. Carriers usually ask for a recent appraisal, a receipt or a grading report to set the insured value.
How often should I update appraisals?
We suggest every three to five years, and sooner when gold or diamond prices move sharply.
The things worth more than a standard limit.
If losing it would hurt, it is worth checking how it is insured.
Engagement rings and jewelry
Rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings, including loss, theft and a stone falling out of its setting.
Watches
Fine watches insured for their appraised or agreed value, at home and when you travel.
Silver and Judaica
Silver candlesticks, Kiddush cups, menorahs, esrog boxes and family heirlooms that standard silverware limits barely touch.
Fine art
Paintings, prints, sculpture and decorative art, with breakage coverage for fragile pieces when it is added.
Collections
Coins, stamps, wine, sports memorabilia, rare books and seforim, insured item by item or under a blanket limit.
Furs, handbags and more
Designer handbags, furs and other high-value personal items.
Your homeowners policy probably isn’t enough.
Standard homeowners policies apply “special limits” to certain valuables. On the widely used standard (ISO) homeowners form, theft of jewelry, watches and furs is limited to $1,500 in total, and theft of silverware and goldware to $2,500. Carriers’ own forms vary, so check yours.
Even when theft is covered, simply losing a ring, or a stone falling out, is usually not a covered cause of loss on an unscheduled item.
Scheduling an item fixes both problems: it is insured for its appraised value, and coverage is usually broadened to accidental loss and mysterious disappearance, often with no deductible.
What changes when you schedule an item.
Every carrier’s terms are a little different. These are the most common differences.
| Unscheduled (homeowners default) | Scheduled | |
|---|---|---|
| How much is covered | A small special limit for theft | The appraised or agreed value of each item |
| Lost or mysteriously disappeared | Usually not covered | Usually covered |
| Deductible | Your homeowners deductible applies | Often no deductible |
| While traveling | Limited | Typically worldwide |
| Paperwork | None up front | An appraisal, receipt or grading report |
Getting your valuables covered, step by step.
- Make a list.Walk through jewelry, watches, silver, art and collections. Photograph each item.
- Gather appraisals and receipts.Recent appraisals, receipts, GIA or other grading reports. We can tell you which items need one.
- Choose scheduled or blanket coverage.Larger collections can often be insured under a blanket limit with a per-item maximum, instead of listing every piece.
- Store it well.A safe, a central alarm or a bank vault can lower your rate with many carriers.
- Review every few years.Update values after major purchases, gifts and big moves in gold or diamond prices.
For significant jewelry, art and collections.
When your valuables are worth more than a typical schedule handles, our Private Client carriers, including PURE, Chubb and AIG, offer valuable articles coverage designed for it: agreed values, broad worldwide coverage, coverage for newly acquired items, and claims handled by people who understand fine jewelry and art.
We can also coordinate valuables coverage with your home insurance and umbrella, so nothing falls between policies.
Stonebrook is an independent insurance agency.
We don’t work for one insurance company. We work with more than 25 carriers, so we can compare valuables coverage across standard and high-value carriers instead of selling you a single company’s policy.
Since 1982 we have helped New Jersey families from our office in Lakewood, and we place coverage in all 50 states through our carriers and partners. When something changes, or when you have a claim, you call people who know you.
Coverage that works together.
Most families need more than one policy. Here is how the pieces fit.
Jewelry and collections questions, answered.
Does homeowners insurance cover jewelry?
Only up to a small limit for theft unless you schedule it. On the standard (ISO) homeowners form, theft of jewelry, watches and furs is limited to $1,500 combined. Scheduled items are covered for their appraised value.
What happens if I lose my engagement ring?
If the ring is scheduled, losing it is usually covered as mysterious disappearance. If it is not scheduled, simply losing it is usually not covered at all, because loss is not one of the covered causes on most homeowners policies.
Do I need an appraisal to insure jewelry?
For most valuable pieces, yes. Carriers usually want a recent appraisal, a receipt or a grading report to set the insured value. We can tell you which items need one.
How often should I update my jewelry appraisals?
Stonebrook suggests every three to five years, and sooner when gold or diamond prices change sharply. An outdated appraisal can leave an item underinsured.
Is there a deductible on scheduled jewelry?
Often there is none, but it depends on the carrier and the policy. We will show you the deductible for each option before you choose.
Can I insure silver, Judaica and family heirlooms?
Yes. Silver candlesticks, Kiddush cups, menorahs and other Judaica can be scheduled for their appraised value. The standard homeowners form limits theft of silverware and goldware to $2,500, which rarely covers a family’s silver.
Is my jewelry covered when I travel?
Scheduled jewelry is typically covered worldwide. Unscheduled jewelry is subject to the homeowners special limits wherever it is. Check your policy before a trip with valuable pieces.
Should I insure my ring through the jeweler’s program or my homeowners policy?
Either can work. Scheduling it on your homeowners or Private Client policy keeps your coverage and claims in one place with one agent. We are happy to compare a jeweler’s offer with what we can place.
How do you insure a collection of coins, wine or art?
Item by item on a schedule, or under a blanket limit with a maximum per item, depending on the size of the collection and the carrier. Larger collections usually fit best with a Private Client carrier.
Let’s make sure your valuables are insured for what they’re worth.
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