Q: May I stay and watch my items being appraised? A: Yes. You are welcome to watch the entire process. Your jewelry will never leave your...

Before having your jewelry appraised for insurance, ask your agent the following questions. Knowing the answers will not only help to better protect your valuables, but also give you peace of mind. · Do I really need a separate jewelry rider? · What is my standard deductible without a rider? · How are claims paid? In reimbursement (cash) or replacement (a similar jewelry item)? · Will I be able to select my own replacement item? · Is my jewelry covered only for theft, or is d

In order to determine an item’s value, we must understand the intended use  of the appraisal.  Will the item be insured?  Sold?  Is it part of an estate?  If so, is the concern equitable distribution or tax settlement?  Is it part of a divorce?  Will it be donated to a museum? Is it part of a bankruptcy or litigation?  The same item can have many different values depending upon what the client is going to do with it.  Therefore, what the item is “worth” is different in differ

Deciding which items are “worth” appraising is a matter of personal choice, combined with tolerance for risk and the specifics of your insurance policy.  Typically, one wants to insure items considered to have a high intrinsic value (the low threshold of this number will be different for everyone, and could range anywhere from $500 to over $20,000 per item) and any items you would definitely  replace in case of a loss.   The first step is to understand your particular policy