Protect Yourself with Diamond Insurance
Insurance companies are similar in the fact that if they have to pay a diamond claim, they want to spend the least amount of money to replace your diamond. Yet different in the ways they go about it, and the types of policies they may offer.
All policies covering diamonds are Marine type insurance policies. I know this sounds strange but this is how they work. There are three types of basic policies; Actual Cash Value, Replacement Insurance, and Agreed Value.
ACV ( Actual Cash Value)
In the event of a loss, your diamond, or, if you bought from us, your unique engagement ring (as a whole) is replaced by the insurance company at the current cost to replace (less depreciation). ( Not that common for jewelry, but there are some states that this type is written.)
Replacement Insurance
This is the most common type of insurance available. The appraisal amount represents two results.
- It sets the LIMIT regardless of anything, that the company is obligated to pay
- It establishes the amount upon which your premiums are based. The rate varies from location to location. The more dangerous your area is, the higher the rate.
Keep in Mind
Most insurance companies can replace the stone for less than you paid for it, and at best at the same price. If you insure the ring for $20,000, and they can replace it for $6,000.00 based on the description, then that would be what they would pay to replace the item.
If you ask for a “cash out” then they pay you the estimate given by their replacement source. Not your “appraisal” paper. Which in this example would only be $6000 and NOT the $20,000 your appraisal states.
Appraisals should state ALL the relevant information.
Unfortunately very few appraisers seem to understand this concept. They feel that reporting the insurance company’s cost to replace would only anger consumers. However since the cost of the premiums paid by the consumer, are based on the valuation(s) most consumers would be outraged to learn that they overpaid their premiums for YEARS!
The amount that the item is insured for is NOT for anyone to decide but the insurance company and the client. The appraiser should have NO determination of deciding which value the item should be insured for.
Some companies base their rate on retail, and pay cost. Others will accept the lower value, and pay just that. Using the insurance company cost to base the insurance coverage amount is very sensible and saves premium dollars, however, markets change and since these values are for close to what the item would cost they have to be updated when there are changes in the marketplace.
You can’t let a diamond appraisal get too old at your insurance company.
No matter how expensive your diamond was. Many argue that stones are always appreciating… BUNK! They vary and some do go up, but others also go down. If you think you’ll get paid for cost increases (inflation on your diamond) you’ll be extremely disappointed, as most states do not offer this type of insurance. MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES DO NOT OFFER “INFLATION GUARD” on replacement policies
A Real Life Story
Here’s another situation that effect many, even some that don’t even know it. My friend’s wife recently lost her diamond due to it falling out of her ring. The diamond was 2.6 carats, H in color, SI1 in clarity, and a diamond cut grade of very good. It was a pretty expensive diamond. If you were to go by Rapaport the diamond would be worth somewhere in the neighborhood of 10K/ct, so close to about 26K for the diamond. They did have the diamond insured, but to my friends dismay he simply had what his insurance company called “basic coverage” which was costing him 10 dollars a month.
What he didn’t realize, and what was told to him after he reported the diamond was lost, was that if he had paid the 23 dollar amount/month his diamond would be completely covered at least to the point where the insurance company would replace what was lost, but in this case, which shocked him, the insurance company was only liable for up to $1,500!
Now I only blame my friend for this mistake, but it brings up an interesting point. READ OVER YOUR PLAN. ASK QUESTIONS! Make sure that whatever coverage you get will at least get you a new diamond. Whether it costs the insurance company 5K to get it or not. At least you’ll have your diamond.
Agreed Value ( sometimes called "Valued At Policy")
I only know of two companies that offer this coverage... One is CHUBB and the other is Atlantic.
In an "as agreed type policy".... the company simply pays you the insured amount, providing it is not grossly over valued. I think Chubb is the best company for this, and they are very lenient with writing checks for the full amount quickly and without a lot of BS in the event of a loss.
If you can get "Valued At Coverage" DO SO! Its worth it. Incidentally, the cost is not much different from the replacement type policy cost.
Important Notes
- There are tremendous variances that depend on the policy, and the insurance company filing of their policies and rates with each state's insurance commissioner.
- One thing is for sure, they only are obligated to do what is stated in the policy and not one dime more, and that is how most act.
- I am not an insurance agent, so you're own individual coverage and conditions should be discussed with your insurance professional. In Depth!
- Avoid companies that want to base the insurance amount at retail and only pay their cost to replace.. Find a company that will write the policy at their cost and pay their cost. This saves you insurance premium dollars.
- One sure-fire way to tell if you have a competent appraiser is that he discusses the type of insurance you're buying. Each different type of policy calls for changes in the market from which the value is estimated, and the number of markets that need to be reported so both the insurance company and the insured can make informed decisions.
If your company does want to charge based on retail and pay their cost, find out if your state has an overpayment of premium rule. If it does, if they replace at a lower amount than the face amount on the policy, you are entitled to a refund of the difference between the two amounts that you paid as premiums.
Florida has such a law. California DOES NOT, and dumps that liability back in the lap of the appraiser. In Texas, I understand, that all insurance companies have to write valued at coverage for jewelry.
Jewelry insurance coverage is usually added by means of a separate insurance rider, to a homeowner's or renter's policy. Chubb, State Farm and Jewelers Mutual will write a policy for JUST the insurance.
Jewelers Mutual however is one that insists on insuring at retail, and replacing the jewelry at cost at the jeweler where you bought the items providing he is a Jewelers Mutual "member".
- Also be aware that insurance policies require special conditions that must be met if there is a "value dispute" BEFORE you are allowed to take legal action against them.
- Also be aware that almost all insurance policies REQUIRE the insured to disclose "ANY MATERIAL FACT THAT AFFECTS THE RISK Of/For the Insurance of these material facts is paying less than you insure it for.
Beware of Unqualified Appraisers
A person without credentials, and unqualified appraisers can cause HUGE problems when a claim occurs. Under describing the item is about the most common one. Intentional over-valuing is another.
An appraisal should be independent and made at, what the legal community calls, an arm's length. This means that an appraisal written by the seller isn't a proper appraisal. It totally shocks me when people accept the seller's appraisal for jewelry. They sure wouldn't accept the seller's appraisal when they buy a house! Neither would the mortgage source! Yet when it comes to jewelry - its done all the time, and everyday.
THE APPRAISER YOU USE SHOULD BE HIRED BY YOU. APPRAISERS THAT ARE PAID BY SELLERS MAKE THE PERCEPTION OF "ARMS LENGTH" QUESTIONABLE. ALSO, IF YOUR APPRAISAL IS WRITTEN IN ONE PARAGRAPH, OR ONE PAGE, IT PROBABLY ISN'T WORTH THE PAPER ITS WRITTEN ON.
A special thank you to Consumersgemlab for this valuable information!
Engagement Ring Insurance – 2 Additional Options
Perfect Circle Insurance Program
Jewelers Mutual is one of the leading jewelry insurance companies. They’ve made it very easy to get a good idea what it would cost you to fully insure any piece of jewelry with their Perfect Circle Insurance Program. Just click the link below. It should be noted that we are in no way affiliated with Jewelers Mutual.
Lavalier Insurance
Lavalier is also another reputable jewelry insurance coverage choice. Costs are very low, and with just a few clicks you will have a quote. As with Jewelers Mutual, we are not affiliated in any way with Lavalier.
Hand Engraved
(Click pic to see movie)
Large Hand Engraved Blooming Beauty Flower Ring