If you like it, then you should be insu(ring) it!

Those planning to pop the question this Valentine’s are being reminded to protect their bling following an increase in claims for lost and stolen jewellery.

Halifax Home Insurance received an 18% increase in claims for lost and stolen jewellery between February 2017 and February 2018*.

The insurer received 1,698 claims for lost or stolen jewellery last year, and 1,610 claims in 2017*.

In the UK, the average cost of an engagement ring is £1,500¹. Over the past five years, the price of diamonds has increased by 10% [see table 1] and the cost of gold has also increased by 30% [see table 1].

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, many people will be nervously preparing to pop the most important question of their lives: Will you marry me? However, before thinking about wedding planning, couples are reminded to think about insuring their engagement ring.  

 David Rochester, Head of Underwriting, Halifax Home Insurance, said: “For newly-engaged couples, engagement rings have both emotional and financial value. It is important that you have insurance in place.  

“Making sure you have the right level of insurance means that newly-engaged couples can enjoy wearing their ring, knowing that they are properly protected.”

 The ultimate vows to ensure your ring is protected:

1. To      honour and protect: ensure you      tell your insurer about your high value item so that your ring is      protected, and keep valuation certificates or receipts in case you need to      claim
2. To      have and to hold: have a think about      whether you need to take out additional cover to ensure you always have      your most precious items covered both in and away from your home
3. For better, for worse: don’t leave      your jewellery in conspicuous places such as on windowsills which can be      easily reached by burglars
4. To      love and cherish: make sure      you cherish your ring by keeping it safe, either in a safe or locked      cabinet and avoid ‘safe’ places such as under the bed or in bedside      drawers – these are the first places burglars look
5. I      make this vow: seal the deal by      taking photographs of your valuable items as this can help insurers to      process a claim more easily, or to help have the item re-created

 Lynn Tones, Fellow of the NAJ’s Institute of Registered Valuers, Aurum Jewellers, said: “The price of precious metals and stones fluctuates over the years, so it’s important to have your jewellery valued every two to three years by a professional accredited valuer.

 “Over the last five years, many will be surprised to find out that the price of their wedding band increased significantly therefore it is important to have an expert to provide an accurate value of your jewellery.”

 ENDS

 Notes to editors:

¹According to Aurum Jewellers.

*Based on in-house claims data from 2016 – 2018. 133 claims February 2017. 157 claims February 2018.

1. *Table 1: as of 2nd January each year price of gold based on (24ct) per troy ounce (31.1gr). Price of diamond based on round brilliant cut, 1.00ct, SI clarity, colour H, triple excellent with no fluorescence, GIA certificated. Data supplied by Aurum Jewellers.
2. Halifax Home Insurance, Home Insurance Ultimate and Home Solutions are all underwritten by Lloyds Bank General Insurance Limited. Halifax Home Solutions and Home Insurance Ultimate have a 5 star Defaqto rating.
3. Halifax Home Insurance offers its customers a 24-hour Emergency Homeline, manned by experts who can offer useful information and advice on how to manage a home emergency, such as providing the number of a reputable plumber for emergency call-outs. The 24-hour emergency Homeline is provided by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc (RSA).
4. Should the worst happen, Halifax Home Insurance can send a Personal Claims Consultant (PCC) at their discretion if they feel that one of their policyholders needs extra support. PCCs act as a single point of contact on major claims, meeting customers face-to-face to discuss all aspects of the incident and personally see each claim through from beginning to end