Holiday Gifts May Need Extra Insurance Protection Related Articles The Importance of a Home InventoryAll that glitters may not be gold -- but on Valentine’s Day, it probably is.
If you plan to buy expensive jewelry for your loved one, make sure you have financial protection in case it is lost or stolen.
Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies cover jewelry and other valuable gifts, but most policies will have a per-item limit of between $1,000 and $2,000. Additional coverage for jewelry, artwork and other high-priced collectibles can be purchased through a floater or endorsement. These will increase coverage limits, extend protection outside of the home and cover even the items that disappear under mysterious circumstances.
“After the perfect Valentine’s Day, no one wants to have gifts lost or stolen,” said Candysse Miller, executive director of the Insurance Information Network of California. “The right insurance coverage will help you keep that ‘lovin feeling’ long after the romantic day is over.”
The holiday drives big business for stores. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend more than $17.6 billion on Valentine’s Day this year. More than $4.1 billion will be spent on jewelry alone.
To protect jewelry and other expensive gifts, IINC recommends:
- Contact your insurance company or agent immediately to ensure that it is protected;
- Keep all receipts and appraisal documentation;
- Store your valuables in a home safe or other secured location; and
- Make sure to add the gift to your home inventory.
Free home inventory software can be easily downloaded from IINC’s Web site at www.iinc.org.
IINC is a non-profit and non-lobbying trade association dedicated to helping the public understand insurance and manage risk. For more information, please visit www.iinc.org. IINC is also on Twitter at twitter.com/iinc and Facebook at facebook.com/iinc.org.
