Valuables are the most common reason a household outgrows a standard home insurance policy, and the most common source of disappointment at claim time.

This guide is general information only. High Value Home Quote is an introducer, not a broker or insurer. We do not provide insurance advice or valuations. Speak to an FCA-regulated specialist broker about your own circumstances.

The Single-Article Limit

Every contents policy sets a maximum it will pay for any one item unless that item has been specifically listed. On standard policies this limit is often modest, and a single watch or ring can exceed it comfortably. Anything above the limit is simply not covered to its full value, however high the overall contents sum insured is.

Specialist policies set far higher single-article limits and make it straightforward to schedule individual pieces.

Specified Versus Unspecified

Unspecified valuables are covered as a group up to a total limit, with the single-article limit applying to each item. This suits everyday jewellery and smaller pieces.

Specified items are listed individually with their own sum insured. This is how anything of real value should be covered, and insurers usually require a valuation for it.

Agreed Value

Some specialist policies cover fine art, antiques and important jewellery on an agreed value basis: the sum in the schedule is what is paid, with no argument at claim time about market value. This is particularly relevant for items that are hard to replace or whose value moves.

Cover Away From The Home

A standard policy may cover valuables only inside the property, or offer limited personal possessions cover as an optional extra. Specialist policies often include worldwide all-risks cover, so a watch is insured whether it is in the safe, at the office or on holiday. If you regularly wear or travel with valuable items, this is one of the most important terms to check.

Valuations And Records

Insurers generally expect recent valuations for higher-value items, and many ask for them to be refreshed every three to five years, since precious metals, stones and art can move significantly. Sensible practice, regardless of insurer requirements:

Keep dated professional valuations for anything significant
Photograph items, including hallmarks, serial numbers and any distinguishing marks
Keep receipts and provenance documents
Store copies somewhere other than the house itself

Security Conditions

Where valuables are scheduled, insurers frequently attach conditions: a safe of a specified grade, a monitored alarm set when the property is empty, and jewellery kept in the safe when not being worn. These are policy conditions rather than suggestions, and a claim can be affected if they were not met.

Collections

Wine, classic cars, musical instruments, stamps and other collections are often handled separately, sometimes as a schedule within the home policy and sometimes as a standalone policy. How they are stored, and whether the collection changes over time, both affect the arrangement.

Common Gaps Worth Checking

These are general points that often come up when people review valuables cover. Whether any of them applies to you is a question for a broker.

Pairs and sets. If one earring of a pair is lost, some wordings pay only for that item, while others take into account the lost value of the set.
Mysterious disappearance. Some policies exclude items that are simply lost, with no evidence of theft.
Gifts and inheritances. Items that arrived after the last review are often missing from the schedule.
Items out for repair or cleaning. Cover while a piece is with a jeweller or restorer varies.
Newly bought pieces. Some policies cover new purchases automatically for a limited time before they need to be added.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a valuation to insure jewellery? Insurers often ask for one on individually listed items above a certain value. The broker will confirm what the insurer needs.

Are watches covered when I travel abroad? That depends on the policy. Some specialist policies include worldwide cover for valuables, while standard policies may not. Check the wording with your broker.

Can fine art be insured under a home policy? Often yes, either within a high-value home policy or as a separate fine art policy, depending on the size of the collection.

How often should valuations be updated? Many insurers suggest every three to five years, and sooner if prices of gold, stones or art have moved a lot.

Next Step

If your valuables have outgrown your current policy, an FCA-regulated specialist broker can review the schedule and advise on appropriate cover. See also our guide to what high value home insurance covers. Get a quote and we will make the introduction, free and without obligation.

Insuring Jewellery, Watches and Fine Art at Home