The Intermediary – March 2026 - Flipbook - Page 77
P RO T E C T I O N
Opinion
A passport for
your valuables
T
here is a subtle corner
of home insurance that
many people overlook
– high value items.
This might include
jewellery, fine art,
collectibles, luxury watches, antiques,
designer handbags, rare instruments,
even certain electronics.
These treasures oen carry not
only financial weight but emotional
gravity. A grandmother’s diamond
ring. A painting discovered on a
honeymoon. A limited edition
timepiece someone saved to buy.
Standard home insurance policies
typically include coverage for personal
belongings up to a certain amount,
but they oen place limits on specific
categories like jewellery, artwork,
or collectibles. For example, a policy
may cover the of jewellery only up
to a certain amount, regardless of the
item’s true market value. If a ring is
worth £5,000 but the policy cap is
£2,500, you have a risk.
This is why having high value items
professionally valued is so important.
Markets move. Gold prices rise and
fall. Art values can climb. Luxury
watches can appreciate significantly
depending on model and demand.
A valuation from a decade ago
may bear lile resemblance to
today’s market reality. An up-to-date
appraisal ensures that insurance
coverage reflects the current
replacement cost of items. If a
customer needs to make a claim, the
insurer could rely on documented
valuations. Without recent
documentation, they may face delays,
disputes, or selements that fall short
of what is needed to replace the item.
Revaluing every few years –
generally five is required – strikes a
practical balance. It’s frequent enough
to capture meaningful changes in
value, yet not so frequent that it
becomes burdensome. In periods of
significant market volatility, clients
might even consider reviewing sooner.
Equally important is ensuring that
they understand and have seen any
‘endorsements’ that are included in a
home insurance policy.
STEPHANIE DUNKLEY
is development director
at Safe & Secure
When a policy is set up via a broker
like Safe and Secure, the adviser will
always navigate the customer to these
endorsements and read over them
to ensure the they are aware and
comfortable with the detail.
Finally, regular valuations
encourage mindful personal auditing.
You rediscover what you own. You
confirm its condition. You store it
properly. You photograph it. In doing
so, you transform a passive asset into
a carefully documented part of your
financial plan.
Home insurance is not just a piece
of paper. By ensuring high value items
are professionally valued every few
years, customers keep cover accurate.
They close the gap between memory
and market value, giving treasures
a safety net worthy of their story.
In a world where surprises arrive
unannounced, that quiet preparation
can make all the difference. ●
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March 2026 | The Intermediary
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