Ah, Valentine’s Day is near, and love is in the air. Well, love and a few other things, such as chocolates, romantic dinners, candy hearts that say “Be Mine” - and, of course, jewelry.
It’s exciting to receive jewelry from a loved one — or to give it as a gift. Not to mention romantic. But if you’re lucky enough to have some new jewelry in your Quincy or Weymouth, MA home this Valentine’s Day, you should take a few minutes to think about something you probably don’t find exciting or romantic: insurance.
Don’t know where to turn? Don’t worry. At Lallis & Higgins Insurance, we think it is exciting to help our customers protect what’s most important to them — so we’re ready to help and can answer all of your questions.
Things to consider when insuring jewelry:
You may need to purchase additional coverage. Your homeowners policy covers valuable items such as jewelry only up to set amounts. If the cost of replacing your jewelry exceeds that limit, you will want to purchase scheduled personal property coverage. You can check your policy or contact us.
You might want to reconsider your deductible amounts. As always, this impacts your policy premium. It’s a good idea to take a look at your deductibles whenever you make a change to your policy.
Do you need an appraisal? You may need to have an independent appraisal if the insurance company requires it or if you don’t know the value of your jewelry. Each item should be listed with a description and value on paper.
What kind of coverage is offered? You’ll want to determine if items are covered no matter where they are, whether they’re in Quincy, MA, or on an international trip, and if the policy offers full replacement cost. You also should ask if you will be required to replace your jewelry if lost or stolen, or if you can simply keep the cash settlement.
Pictures can be helpful. Lost or stolen pieces of jewelry sometimes can be recreated if the jeweler has a good photograph to work from.
Should I go with a company that specializes in jewelry insurance? There are companies that specialize in jewelry insurance. Whether you choose one of these, or a company that we represent, you’ll want to make sure they are reputable and stable.
Is the value of your jewelry mainly sentimental? Is an item irreplaceable? If the answer to either of these questions is “yes,” you might consider foregoing insurance. But please, contact us before making that decision. That’s what we’re here for.
Of course, it’s important to store your jewelry securely when it’s not in use; a safe in your home or a safe-deposit box is best. We want your jewelry to be replaced if it’s lost or stolen, but we’d rather your sentimental and valuable pieces stay with you and your family for years to come.
Are you looking for a something romantic to do on the South Shore this Valentine's Day? Here are a few ideas.
Beatles concert - As part of South Shore Conservatory’s Concert Series, faculty at the conservatory will perform a concert titled “All You Need is Love” featuring popular songs by the Beatles. There will be one show at 4 p.m. Saturday at the conservatory’s Hingham campus, and a second at 4 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Duxbury campus. Both concerts are free. For more information or to reserve tickets, visit sscmusic.org.
Valentine Jazz - If jazz music is more your style, Marshfield’s Ventress Memorial Library will host a free concert by the Paul Speidel Jazz Duo at 2 p.m. Saturday. The concert will include popular romantic songs such as “Loverman” and “My Funny Valentine” on jazz guitar and acoustic bass. For more information, visit ventresslibrary.org.
Family events – If you don’t want to leave the kids at home, there are plenty of child-friendly Valentine’s Day events at local libraries. Kids at the Norwell Public Library will make Valentine garlands at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8. The Abington Public Library has a story time and craft event set for 3:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. Visit your town’s library website to see what your library may have to offer.
Here’s hoping your Valentine’s Day is full of fun and romance. And if there’s no jewelry involved, well, there’s always next year!
For further questions and assistance, please contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.
Content provided by Safeco Insurance and The Patriot Ledger
