Special Property, Special Coverage

Special Property, Special Coverage – Part 1

A standard homeowners policy offers a limit equal to half of the amount reserved for the residence (ex. Your home is covered for $150,000, so your contents and furnishings are covered for $75,000). While this is generous coverage, it doesn't extend to all types of property nor for all causes of loss. Certain types of property, because of its high value and liquidity, is far more vulnerable to loss...either easily destroyed, easily stolen or both. For instance, an insurer protects your sofa right along with your fur coat for the same basic premium, but the two types of property don't represent the same probability of loss. Recognizing this fact, insurers put restrictions on the coverage provided by a basic policy.

Theft Coverage Limitations

When property is lost due to theft, coverage under a standard homeowner policy is severely limited (generally between $1,000 - $2,500) for the following types of property:

jewelry, watches, furs, and gemstones
dinnerware, serving sets, trophies and similar property made of or plated with silver, gold, platinum or pewter
for firearms, accessories and related property

Other Coverage Limitations

Several categories of property are subject to very modest limits (generally between $200 - $2,500) of coverage, regardless of the cause of loss (theft, fire, accidental breakage, etc). Specifically:

money, bank notes, coins, medals, gold, silver and platinum (other than jewelry or dinnerware)
securities, accounts, deeds, tickets, stamps, manuscripts, passports and similar property
watercraft and related property including their trailers
trailers not used with watercraft
business property located in your residence
business property located away from your residence
certain types of electronic property (CD players, VCRs, TVs, radios, computers )and related accessories) which is lost or damaged while in a car or is located away from your home and used for business.

Please refer to part two on how to get more coverage for these classes of personal property.

All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.