How should jewelry and other valuable items be insured?

Your homeowner’s policy might not fully protect your most treasured possessions, and you might not even realize it until it’s too late. Certain classes of personal property often have limited coverage under a standard policy. These can include:

• Cash – Physical currency kept in your home.
• Coins – Collectible or rare coins you’ve purchased or inherited.
• Furs – Coats, wraps, or other fur-based garments.
• Firearms – Rifles, handguns, and related accessories.
• Silverware – Silver flatware, serving pieces, and related sets.
• Business property – Equipment, tools, or inventory kept at home.
• Jewelry – Engagement rings, watches, or other fine pieces.

If you want to add additional coverage to your policy to better protect these items, here are some important steps to take:

1. Document what you own – Use a home inventory app to record details about your valuable items, along with your everyday belongings.
2. Get a professional appraisal – This is the best way to determine the true value of your valuables.
3. Think about how you use your valuables – A ring you wear daily faces more risk than collectible coins stored securely.
4. Understand your coverage options – Replacement cost generally allows you to replace an item with a new piece of equal value, while agreed value pays you the insured limit regardless of what it would cost to replace.

Coverage limits can also vary depending on the type of loss. In some cases, limits apply only to theft, and in others, they apply to any type of covered loss. If your valuables aren’t fully protected under your standard homeowner’s policy, you can add extra coverage through an endorsement or by scheduling specific items on your policy.

Protecting your valuables starts with understanding your coverage. Take the time to review your policy and talk with your insurance agent about the best way to safeguard what matters most to you.

Updated August 10, 2025