www.thetablet.orgMay 4, 201918A

(StatePoint) – From engagement ringsto family heirlooms, your jewelry andother valuables are timeless and important.Luckily, there are steps you can take tohelp keep these items safe.

Insurance experts from Travelers haveput together the following tips to help youprotect your most treasured possessions:

• Insure Your Engagement RingImmediately

Engagement rings hold great senti-mental and monetary value, but many indi-viduals don’t think to cover them under aninsurance policy. Valuable items policies,such as a personal articles floater (PAF),insure individual pieces that have a valuethat may exceed the limits of your home-owners policy.

Travelers also offers the option toinsure the engagement ring at the sametime you insure your wedding. You canlearn more about the option by visitingprotectmywedding.com.

• Store Your Jewelry in Unlikely PlacesBurglars often know exactly where to

look for jewelry and other valuables.Storing your most prized pieces in uncom-mon spaces, such as a bookshelf or yourbathroom, can definitely add an extra layerof protection.

• Use Safe Cleaning MethodsMany people are surprised to hear

that warm water and dish soap are amongthe best methods for keeping jewelryclean. Harsher methods, such as ultrasoniccleaners, can damage certain stones.

• Monitor Extreme Temperature and LightExposure

Light and heat can affect the color ofgemstones and metals. Extreme tempera-tures can also damage clasps, making it eas-ier for stones to fall out of beloved pieces.

• Homeowners Insurance PolicySpend some time getting to know

your homeowners insurance. While it cov-ers your home and its contents, typicalpolicies only cover up to $1,500 of jewelry.

If your jewelry has a higher value thanthat, it’s worth considering an additionalpolicy, such as a PAF or the Valuable ItemsPlus program from Travelers, both of whichprovide coverage for items of higher value.

You can ask your insurance agent orcarrier about other policy options, includ-

ing what their limits are and how to addthem to your overall insurance program.

It may be hard to imagine the theft orloss of your most valuable possessions, butthese things happen, and that’s why it’simportant to take steps to protect yourjewelry.

With customizable insurance optionsand care, you can help make sure your jew-elry survives each day.

Five Ways to Protect YourJewelry and Valuables

Photo © marchsirawit/stock.Adobe.com

p Timeless and important valuables deserve to be safe and sound in your home.