Safeguard your jewels through insurance options

“We’ve had reports of thefts that occur as travellers are checking in and momentarily can be caught off guard. They merely set their luggage on the floor and when they look down it’s gone.”

In fact, when jewellery is reported missing, the top reasons given include “I lost it at a hotel” and “I lost it while travelling.”

Jewellery insurance can cover pieces from wedding and engagement rings to heirloom necklaces that are lost, damaged or stolen, and it can cost less than you might expect.

You can apply for the insurance online or through a jeweller, and certain homeowners insurance plans may cover jewellery, though they often cover only a small amount unless you purchase a separate rider to cover your favourite pieces and gifts.

That’s why many people instead opt to work with speciality insurance providers.

To safeguard your jewellery when you travel here are some tips;

First, only carry what you wear every day.

Second, consider wearing faux pieces when you travel, but remember that even faux pieces may make you a target for theft.

Third, never leave jewellery in your luggage to be transported by airlines, cruise lines or other public transportation.

Fourth, store unworn jewellery in the hotel’s safe deposit box, not the safe located in your room.

Fifth, when swimming, fingers constrict, making it more likely your ring will fall off.

Rather than risk losing it, leave your ring in the hotel’s safe deposit box.

Sixth, Insure your jewellery to assure that you can replace it if it is lost, stolen or damaged.

The other issue is on how to package your jewellery as you travel.

To transport chains with no pendant, cut a piece of cardboard two inches wide and two inches shorter than the chain.

Following the same logic as above, cut two slits on either end of the cardboard.

Insert the chain into both slits on either end of the cardboard to secure the chain, flat and in place.

This method is also a fantastic way to transport earrings.

Cut a piece of cardboard, punch two holes near the top and insert your ear wires into the cardboard.

If chunky necklaces or bracelets need to be transported, have them arrive in excellent form by wrapping them in tissue paper and securing the tissue paper with ribbon prior to boarding the plane.

Lay the jewellery flat or looped in your bag, then after you have arrived at your gate carefully cushion each piece of jewellery in its own tissue paper cocoon.

Untie the ribbon and carefully unfold the tissue paper for use again on the way back.

Clean cardboard

The best way to keep your chains from tangling or kinking while packed is to place them on rectangular pieces of clean cardboard.

But as you do that ensure you have an insurance on them - if they are expensive.