When you marry, both you and your new spouse will likely see an increase in the value of your belongings. You’ll combine homes and possessions. You’ll also probably come to possess quite a few expensive new items. Chief among these is usually jewelry, which is one of the most common wedding gifts. Nevertheless, jewelry also remains one of the most-stolen items in household break-ins. What can you do to protect these items once you get them home?

A Security Plan for Jewelry

Most newlyweds will receive wedding rings upon marriage. Others might receive heirloom jewelry, or new sets as gifts from family. Often, these items will have significant value. You’ll want to protect them for the cost and sentimentality attached to them. So, what can you do to keep your jewelry safe? It will need protection from not only potential theft, but also hazardous damage.

• Know the value of your pieces. If you have a jewelry receipt, keep it on file. That way, you can prove an item’s worth if you ever need to make an insurance claim against it.
• Count and photograph the items. Keep the photographs with the receipts. Also take note of any distinguishing features on the jewels. Do they have customization? What about engravings? The more information you can provide, the better your ability to replace or recover items.
• If you don’t know an item’s value, take it to a certified jewelry appraiser. They can help you verify the worth of items and put it in writing.
• Keep your jewelry under lock and key. Don’t leave it in on clear view in the home. Usually, the best place for the most-expensive items is in a safe or secure box. These boxes are often theft-, water- and fire-proof. Keeping jewelry in the refrigerator or flower pot, clever as it sounds, is not the right course of action.

Insurance Coverage for Jewelry Items

In the event of jewelry loss, you’ll probably wonder if you have insurance coverage for the item in question. This will depend on your insurance coverage in general.

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you’ll likely have possessions insurance. This will often provide an initial degree of coverage for the lost item. However, tread lightly. Many standard policies limit how much coverage they provide for jewelry. They might not pay the full amount for the item, and they will almost never pay for items simply lost.

To get coverage for particular items, consider investing in a jewelry rider. It will insure a specific piece, often in more circumstances than basic possessions insurance. Usually, this is the best course of action for items of higher value. Talk to your Dallas homeowners agent about whether this is the appropriate course for you.