Top 5 Jewelry Insurance Providers: Securing Your Precious Jewelry

While your existing homeowners or renters insurance might offer some coverage for jewelry, it often comes with low coverage limits. To ensure your valuable pieces are fully protected, especially if you own high-value items or a significant collection, it’s advisable to explore standalone jewelry insurance policies.

How Does Jewelry Insurance Function?

Jewelry insurance provides financial protection in the event that a covered item is damaged, lost, or stolen. These policies are offered by both well-known, large insurance companies and specialized, smaller insurers. Sometimes, large insurers collaborate with specialized insurers to offer these policies (for example, Geico partners with Jewelers Mutual instead of providing coverage directly). There are also companies that offer policies issued by larger insurance providers.

Regardless of how the insurance is sold, the best jewelry insurance providers offer convenient appraisals, flexible deductibles, high coverage limits, and competitive premiums. Your choice of insurer will depend on your specific needs and budget.

To assist you in making an informed decision, here are our top recommendations for the best jewelry insurance companies:

1. Jewelers Mutual Group

• Why we recommend it: With over a century of experience, Jewelers Mutual enjoys strong support from industry organizations like the American Gem Society and Jewelers of America. As the largest jewelry-focused insurer, it is owned by its policyholders and offers flexible coverage without maximum or minimum dollar limits. Deductible options range from $0 to $500 per claim. Jewelers Mutual’s premiums typically align with industry standards, costing 1% to 2% of your jewelry’s value, with an annual minimum premium of $25 or $30. Discounts are available for policyholders with home security systems or those who store their jewelry in safe-deposit boxes at banks. No appraisal is usually required to start coverage, but it’s advisable to have one on file for documentation purposes. Jewelers Mutual boasts a strong financial rating and a low company complaint index.
• How to get a quote: Obtain a free quote within 30 seconds on the insurer’s website, without providing personal information. Simply provide your ZIP Code, jewelry type, and its value.
• Considerations: Jewelers Mutual customizes your coverage limit based on your jewelry’s documented value and recommends getting appraisals every two years. It does not account for appreciation in its coverage limits, so you’ll need to increase your coverage whenever a new appraisal shows a higher value. Alternatively, you can pay extra for an “Insurance Value Adjustment” to increase your coverage limits automatically based on estimated value increases.

2. BriteCo Jewelry Insurance

• Why we recommend it: BriteCo stands out with lower-than-average premiums, ranging from 0.5% to 1.5% of your jewelry’s value annually. For instance, on a $6,000 engagement ring, you could pay as little as $30 per year. To access the best rates, store your jewelry in a safe or have a home security system and pay your premium annually. BriteCo typically does not require a deductible for most items and offers coverage up to 125% of the replacement value, with automatic adjustments for value increases. The company partners with Glencar Insurance Company, which underwrites and issues policies, while BriteCo administers them. Glencar Insurance Company holds an A-plus rating from AM Best. BriteCo streamlines the process by offering quotes in-store when purchasing from a partner jeweler or online with minimal information.
• Considerations: BriteCo generally requires an appraisal for coverage, regardless of your jewelry’s value, but you have 14 days to provide one after starting coverage. Some unique or high-end items have limited coverage, offered as an “Agreed Value” policy with a deductible.

3. GemShield

• Why we recommend it: GemShield simplifies the process of obtaining coverage for engagement rings valued below $5,000. A detailed sales receipt is often sufficient, making it a suitable choice for many newly engaged couples. Maximum coverage limits are typically $35,000 for individual items and $100,000 for your entire collection. While GemShield’s premiums typically range from 1% to 2% of your jewelry’s value, they offer competitive deductibles ranging from $0 to $1,000. GemShield partners with StarNet Insurance Company, which has an A-plus financial strength rating from AM Best and a low company complaint index.
• How to get a quote: Easily obtain a quote online by providing your ZIP Code, the estimated value of your piece, and your desired deductible.
• Considerations: GemShield does not offer discounts for safe storage, in-house appraisals, or coverage exceeding 100% of the replacement value, making it less suitable for high-value items and collections.

4. Lavalier

• Why we recommend it: Lavalier offers flexibility with deductible options ranging from $0 to $25,000, catering to different budgets and self-insurance capabilities. The maximum coverage limit is $50,000 per piece and $150,000 for a schedule of items. Lavalier extends discounts to policyholders with home security systems, home safes, gemstone grading reports, or storage in bank vaults or safe-deposit boxes. Appraisals are required for items worth $5,000 or more, but detailed sales receipts suffice for lower-value pieces. Lavalier partners with Berkley National Insurance Company, which holds an A-plus financial strength rating from AM Best and a low company complaint index.
• How to get a quote: Obtain a quote by providing your ZIP Code, the value of your item, and your preferred deductible.
• Considerations: Lavalier’s minimum annual premium is comparatively high at $50, making it less attractive for lower-value jewelry. The coverage limit is up to 100% of the replacement value, potentially necessitating regular appraisals.

5. Chubb

• Why we recommend it: Chubb is an excellent choice for those with substantial jewelry collections. There is no set dollar limit, and Chubb pays up to 150% of your jewelry’s value to account for appreciation. New jewelry items are automatically covered for up to 90 days, allowing time to add them to your policy. Appraisals are typically only required for items valued at $100,000 or more. Chubb offers coverage descriptions, risk assessments, and bank-vault storage discounts. Premiums range from 1% to 2% of your jewelry’s value, with no deductible requirement. Chubb boasts an A-plus-plus financial strength rating from AM Best and a low company complaint index.
• Considerations: Chubb has a minimum coverage requirement of $15,000, making it less suitable for individuals with lower-value items. The quote process for Chubb is more involved, as it provides contact information for local insurance agencies offering their coverage, requiring contact by phone, email, or in-person.

Is Jewelry Insurance Worth It?

Whether jewelry insurance is worth it depends on your circumstances. While homeowners or renters insurance may include some coverage for jewelry, it’s often limited to around $1,500. If you require more coverage, either as an add-on to your existing policy or as a standalone policy, depends on your specific needs. A standalone policy might be beneficial if your homeowners insurance has limitations, such as not offering replacement value or not covering accidental loss. However, keep in mind that a jewelry insurance policy is an additional expense, typically ranging from $100 to $200 annually for a $10,000 ring. If you can secure add-on coverage through your existing policy at a lower cost and it suits your needs, a separate policy may not be necessary.

How We Made Our Selection

Our selection of the Best Jewelry Insurance Companies was based on considerations such as cost, appraisal requirements, coverage limits, quote processes, financial strength ratings, and company complaint indexes.