Jewellery insurance: A claiming and record keeping guide
We’ve all heard horror stories of engagement rings disappearing down drains. But what happened next – after the unlucky ring bearer admitted the mishap to their spouse? Hopefully, after a quick call to their insurer, they were able to replace the ring, and live happily ever after.
Would you be able to cover the cost of your engagement ring if something were to happen to it? Or the necklace you received on that special birthday? Sometimes, the things we own mean more to us than their dollar value. And that’s why getting cover for them can offer peace of mind.
If you’re considering engagement ring insurance, or jewellery insurance in general, AAMI can help you get cover in three ways:
- Home and Contents Insurance, if something goes awry at home.
- Portable Valuables Cover, as a Home and Contents Insurance Optional Cover, for coverage while you’re out and about.
- Accidental Damage at Home, as a Home and Contents Insurance Optional Cover, for unforeseen loss or damage around the house.
Add your jewellery to a home inventory
A home inventory is just a fancy name for a list of the things in your house, along with proof of their value. It’s a good way to organise important documents like warranties and receipts.
If you’re an AAMI customer, you’ll need to specify jewellery worth more than $2,000 on your Home and Contents policy. If you don’t, each item or set will only be insured for a maximum of $2,000 (up to $5,000), meaning that’s the most you can be paid out if you ever make a claim for them – even if they’re worth a lot more.
To add items of jewellery to your AAMI policy simply log into My Account or give us a shout on 13 22 44. If you’re a new customer, complete a Home Insurance quote online, note down your Quote Number, call 1300 727 452, and ask us to insure the specified item.
Record important details
Keep track of important info for each item by adding these details to your home inventory:
- the time and date you bought it
- where you bought it, and
- how much it cost.
If you’ve inherited jewellery, or bought an antique piece, take it to a jeweller or a professional valuer for a certificate of valuation. A certificate of valuation will provide a detailed description of the item and how much it’s worth. If it’s a special piece, you’ll want to have it assessed every few years given the costs of precious metals and stones can change.
Having photos, short videos or 3D scans of unique items can be useful for insurance purposes. Make sure the images are clear and that you’ve recorded any distinct features or markings.
Keep proof of ownership and value
If you’re claiming an item of jewellery that’s been damaged, lost or stolen, you’ll need to provide your insurer with proof of ownership and value documents. If you’re an AAMI customer, the Home and Contents Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) sets out the minimum proofs required for a jewellery claim.
For more details, check out the PDS.
How to store your home inventory
No matter how you've created your home inventory, it’s essential to keep backups. If you’ve opted for paper, keep your backup with a trusted family member or friend and take photos of it on your phone. If, on the other hand, your home inventory is digital, keep it on an external hard drive (and keep it off-site) or store it via a cloud-based storage service.
What happens in the event of accidental loss or damage?
With most home insurance policies, you’re generally not covered if you accidentally damage or lose something around the house. But thanks to AAMI’s new Accidental Damage at Home optional cover, you now can be! Accidents happen no matter how careful we are. That’s why it could be worth upgrading your AAMI policy to include this optional cover.
Your jewellery insurance claim checklist
So, you’re ready to claim? Lodging a jewellery-related claim online or in the AAMI App is quick and easy. To help speed up the process it's a good idea to have the following on hand:
- A description of what occurred, including the time, date and location of the insured event.
- A copy of a police report if the item you’re claiming has been stolen.
- Proof of ownership and value, as defined by your policy’s PDS.
Read more:
- A guide to your jewellery insurance options
- How do I insure my engagement ring?
- What does my AAMI Home and Contents Insurance cover?
* You can choose a sum insured from the options we offer for unspecified items ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The most we will pay for all extra cover unspecified items is the sum insured shown on your certificate of insurance.
** Jewellery is covered for up to 30 days overseas, but only while being worn by you or while in a secure safe.
Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 AFSL 230859 (AAI) trading as AAMI. Any advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision regarding this product. The Target Market Determination is also available.