Valued at $46.2 million, the Graff Pink diamond is one of the most expensive pieces of jewelry in the world. Your jewelry box might not hold anything that priceless, but you certainly want to insure your valuable or sentimental pieces, including the diamond cufflinks you wore at your wedding or your grandmother’s ruby brooch.
1. Hire an Independent Appraiser
An independent appraiser will carefully and thoroughly inspect each piece of jewelry you own, and he or she will then determine the exact value of your works of art. Be sure to obtain a signed document that includes a detailed description and appraiser’s value for each piece.
2. Check Your Current Insurance Policy
Most homeowner or renter insurance policies include cash value or replacement coverage for personal belongings. As long as that figure is high enough to cover everything you own, including your real jewelry, you’re set.
3. Purchase a Rider
If your current policy does not cover your valuable gems, purchase a rider. It offers additional coverage for your precious collection.
4. Take Pictures of all Your Pieces
The police need detailed descriptions of your jewelry if a piece is lost or stolen. Take detailed pictures of each piece to increase the likelihood of recovery.
5. Update Your Inventory Regularly
Once you’re sure your jewelry is adequately insured, mark your calendar for an annual inventory review. Add new pieces you recently purchased and remove pieces you sold or gave away to ensure your collection is completely covered.
6. Inspect Your Jewelry
As part of your annual review; take your jewelry for an inspection. The jeweler will look for loose settings, chips or scratches. Take new pictures after any needed repairs are made.
7. Store Your Jewelry in a Safe Place
Insurance will replace your real jewelry if it’s lost, stolen or damaged, but don’t take chances. A fireproof safe hidden in your home or a safety deposit box at the bank protects your gems, especially if you own expensive pieces that you wear only on rare occasions.
You do not want to file a claim for stolen jewelry and find out it wasn’t insured. Follow these tips and talk to your insurance agent today as you protect your valuable collection.
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Owning a home is a lot of responsibility and with that comes great reward too. Many love the sense of security home ownership offers as well as the financial benefits of maintaining an asset over the long term. However, there are many headaches and challenges that potentially can arise with owning a property – there’s no landlord to call. Many homeowners carry an insurance policy to protect their assets if an unfortunate event occurs – water damage, broken pipe, structural damage, fire, or other unforeseen circumstances. This has become common knowledge, but are personal belongings and valuable collections also covered?
At the basics, a homeowners policy is in place to reimburse owners for damages caused to the property and belongings in that property. For example, if a home has a small electrical fire, in which the smoke caused terrible damage to the walls and furniture. The likelihood is that repainting and cleaning expenses are covered under the policy, in addition to structural repairs. A home guards valued possessions and even prized collections. What protects those collections if water damage destroys an art collection, gun collection, or other valuables? Is a homeowners policy enough to protection? The answer is, no. When a collection grows past a basic threshold, typically $1,000, the items must be listed in a separately purchased rider for the collection.
The situation of improper insurance coverage typically occurs because homeowners set it and forget it. This means that the policy is purchased at the time the home is purchased and year after year the same policy is renewed. Having a policy is better than no policy, the problem is that the home evolves, assets grow and the original policy becomes outdated. This is why it is vital to have an insurance agent periodically review your policy. Having a professional evaluate a homeowners current state of affairs is the best way to prevent unfortunates scenarios of improper coverage.
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
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When you smoke, your risk of developing lung, throat and mouth cancers as well as heart disease, stroke and diabetes increases. You also may experience shortness of breath and increased life insurance premiums. Up to 480,000 people die each year from the effects of smoking, but you can quit. Try four holistic methods as you seek to improve your health today.
1. Exercise
Sweat out the buildup of nicotine in your body, relieve depression and reduce boredom when you use exercise to stop smoking. Whether you run, swim, walk or try a different sport, the physical activity increases your odds of quitting.
2. Limes
In addition to flavoring entrees and beverages, limes boost your immunity and decrease your body’s acidity. Use them to quit smoking when you cut the quarters of a lime into quarters. Chew on one small piece, skin and all, whenever you feel a cigarette craving.
3. Self-Massage
Professional massages relax your body and your mind, which helps you handle nicotine cravings. However, you don’t have time for a full-body massage every time you want to smoke. Instead, learn self-massage techniques that are easy to perform multiple times a day.
*Use your right thumb and slight pressure to draw a circle in the palm of your left hand. Switch hands frequently.
* Massage each finger gently from bottom to top.
*Rub your ear lobes in circular motions.
4. Meditate
Reduce tension, stress and anxiety caused by nicotine withdrawal when you meditate. Start by lying down on your back and breathing deeply from your abdomen. Envision yourself cigarette-free and healthy as you exhale and inhale. Spend 15 minutes meditating, and your entire body will be calm and relaxed.
Smoking increases your risk of developing a number of deadly illnesses and diseases. It also affects your ability to afford beneficial life insurance coverage that gives your family peace of mind and financial security. Use four holistic methods to quit smoking today, and commit to healthy living.
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You are thinking so many things when you are getting ready to file a claim. ‘I wish I hadn’t done that, ’or ‘I should tell them I’m sorry or any number of responses that could be running through your mind. But before you indulge in them, you need to know what not to say to the insurance company.
- Sorry. Yes it is good to have manners, and apologizing for your actions is noble, but in the case of a car accident, let the police sort out the details and assign the blame.
- Whiplash. Certain phrases have a punch behind them. This would be one of those terms. It became so widely used in fraudulent claims that anytime anyone says whiplash, adjusters generally will call the attorney.
- Intentional. Don’t go around saying that your spouse destroyed your car intentionally. Insurance is there to cover accidents and bad judgment calls, but your insurance will not cover intentional damage.
- I’m fine, really. You may want to put your friends and family members at ease, but let a doctor make that determination.
- Ride-Sharing. Ride sharing has become extremely popular nowadays. The catch? You can’t use your personal insurance if you are a driver for a ride-sharing company and get involved in an accident.
For more information or to report a claim, contact our office today.
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
Sources: http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2014/07/23/12-words-never-to-say-to-your-insurance-company/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=email-2014-07-23&utm_medium=email
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How do you decide how much coverage to purchase for your car? Do you go by the minimum requirements of your state or do you get as much as you can in case of a catastrophe?
Here’s what your average looks like for others who choose the coverage:
- 46% of drivers have bodily injury coverage is at $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
- 59% of drivers have $50,000 worth of property damage liability coverage.
- 60% of the drivers have collision coverage.
- 61% of the drivers have comprehensive coverage.
- 74% of the drivers have a $500 deductible with comprehensive and collision insurance.
Are you still undecided about what’s the best coverage for you? Here are a few tips to consider:
- Did you know that doubling up on your liability insurance only costs a small fraction of what you’d pay now? A $50,000 policy doesn’t cost much more than a $25,000 one.
- Raise your deductible will get your bill lowered. The catch? You need to be able to pay the deductible before your insurance will kick in.
- Shop! Shop around for the best possible insurance for your needs.
Stop by our office today for more information on how to get the most out of your car insurance!
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
Sources: http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2014/08/14/how-much-auto-insurance-do-you-need-dont-guess/
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Umbrella Insurance is a supplement to your existing policies that offers up to $1 million or more in additional coverage beyond what is available from your auto, homeowner’s, and other property or vehicle policies.
So why should you make it a part of your insurance portfolio? Here are three situations where umbrella insurance can help.
Do you have a rental property or rent out your home?
Umbrella insurance covers liability on rental units. If you own a rental property or vacation rental, umbrella coverage can be invaluable for you as a property owner. Many things can a do go wrong when you rent out your property. Be sure you are protected with an umbrella policy.
If you are responsible for a serious accident.
Auto insurance is designed to protect you in case of an accident for which you are held responsible, but this does not mean that the amount of insurance coverage you currently have will be enough to cover all damage caused in some situations. If you cause an accident with a high-value vehicle or there are serious personal injuries that need to be paid for, you may quickly exhaust your automobile insurance coverage. With umbrella coverage, you’ll have an extra policy so you do not end up paying for these expenses out of pocket.
What about other vehicles?
Boats, motorcycles, and other personal pleasure vehicles can present you with unexpected liability issues for which your existing insurance policies may not cover. Asking your insurance agent about umbrella insurance and if it may help supplement your current coverage could prevent financial disaster.
Scurich Insurance Servicescan help you see how umbrella coverage could benefit you. Call them today! 800-320-3666
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