Jewellery Insurance for Travellers: How to Stay Covered on the Go

You’re at the airport, juggling luggage, passports, and boarding passes, when you notice your ring is no longer on your finger. For many travellers, jewellery is more than a sparkling accessory—it’s tied to life’s milestones, family history, or personal style. Losing it on the move can feel like losing a part of yourself.

The tricky part? Some travellers assume their jewellery is covered under their standard travel policies. Yet the reality can be more complicated. Limits on valuables, exclusions around unattended items, and caps on claim amounts mean your jewellery may not be covered the way you expect. In a survey by Jewelers Mutual, 20 per cent of people reported that fine jewellery was lost or stolen during travel, double the rate just a few years earlier, and only 1 per cent ever recovered the pieces.

That doesn’t mean travelling with your favourite pieces is off the table. It simply may call for a closer look at how different types of cover apply to jewellery, what happens if you need to make a claim overseas, and the practical steps you can take before stepping on the plane. Together, we’ll uncover what the best travel insurance for jewellery might look like, tips for how to pack and carry your prized pieces, and the strategies that can help you enjoy your adventures without unnecessary stress.

Why Jewellery Needs Special Consideration When Travelling

Travelling has a way of putting your belongings to the test. Clothes wrinkle, luggage gets knocked about, and electronics face constant handling. Jewellery, however, carries an extra layer of vulnerability.

Unlike a shirt or a charger, a necklace or ring can represent more than its market price. It may have been a birthday gift, a family heirloom, or a symbol of commitment. That blend of financial and sentimental value makes jewellery different from almost anything else you pack.

The risks rise when you take jewellery abroad. Airports, hotels, and public transport hubs all present opportunities for items to be misplaced or stolen. A small clasp breaking on a chain, a stone loosening in a setting, or a moment’s distraction in a crowded terminal could all lead to loss or damage. The statistics back this up: in 2022, airlines mishandled around 26 million bags worldwide, equating to nearly 7.6 bags per 1,000 passengers—a significant increase compared with previous years (SITA Baggage Report). Valuables like jewellery may be inside those bags, but even when carried in hand luggage or worn, they remain vulnerable.

Standard travel insurance policies sometimes list jewellery under “valuables,” but limits may apply. A claim could be capped at a few hundred dollars, sometimes, regardless of the item’s actual worth. Exclusions also matter—cover may not extend to items left unattended in a hotel room or kept in checked luggage. For travellers relying only on general travel insurance, this gap can be surprising.

Key takeaway: Jewellery deserves special thought when planning your trip. Its unique blend of financial and emotional value, combined with increased exposure to risk while travelling, means it may not fit neatly under the umbrella of general travel insurance.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Jewellery?

You may find yourself asking this question before a trip: "Does travel insurance cover jewellery?" The answer is that it can, but cover may come with limits and conditions worth reading closely.

Common Inclusions and Exclusions

• Valuables category: Jewellery may be grouped under "valuables" in some travel insurance policies. Cover can be capped at a relatively low limit, sometimes a few hundred dollars per item, regardless of an item's actual worth.

• Exclusions to know: Claims may be denied if the jewellery was left unattended (e.g., in a hotel room without a safe), packed in checked luggage, or damaged through wear and tear.

• High-value thresholds: Policies may set maximum claim amounts for individual items, which may mean expensive pieces could exceed what's payable.

Here's an example for context: A traveller who misplaces a $7,000 engagement ring at an airport security checkpoint could only recover a fraction of the cost if their policy capped jewellery cover at $750.

Jewellery Travel Insurance Cover vs. Specialist Cover

This brings us to an important distinction: standard travel insurance versus specialist jewellery insurance.

• Generic travel insurance: Usually designed to cover a wide range of scenarios—flight cancellations, medical emergencies, lost luggage. Jewellery may be included, but sometimes in a limited way.

• Specialist jewellery insurance: Designed with valuable items in mind. Depending on policy terms, it may cover accidental loss, theft, or damage worldwide, not only while travelling, but also at home.

• Scenarios to consider:

  • Travelling with heirlooms or engagement rings of significant value.

  • Wearing jewellery daily on your trip rather than leaving it in storage.

  • Seeking damage cover (e.g., a stone loosening during activity) as well as theft or disappearance.

How to Travel with Jewellery Safely

Knowing the limits of travel insurance is only part of the story. The other half is about reducing risks in the first place. If you’re wondering how to travel with jewellery without unnecessary stress, a few small habits can make a big difference.

Top 5 Ways to Keep Jewellery Safe When Travelling

1. Keep jewellery in your carry-on or on you, not checked luggage- Checked bags go through multiple handling points, and airlines mishandle millions of them every year. You may want to consider keeping all your jewellery close to you in your hand luggage or by wearing it.

2. Divide your pieces - Avoid packing all valuables together. Carrying smaller items separately means that if one pouch is misplaced, not everything is gone.

3. Use discreet storage - Some travellers prefer using plain pouches or organisers that don’t draw attention. A flashy jewellery case can advertise what’s inside.

4. Rely on hotel safes (with caution) - When not wearing your jewellery, keep it locked away. If the safe looks unreliable, consider wearing the item instead.

5. Be mindful in public - Crowded transport hubs or tourist spots can attract pickpockets. Think twice before wearing statement pieces in environments where they stand out.

Think of travelling with jewellery like carrying cash, you wouldn’t keep it all in one place or leave it unattended.

Extra tip: When you arrive at your destination, give your jewellery a quick clean and check before wearing it. Dust or grime from travel can cause wear, and if any claws or clasps are loose, you may be at a higher risk of losing the item or having it stolen while wearing it. 

Packing Tips – How to Pack Jewellery for Travel

Packing jewellery requires more than dropping pieces into a pouch. Without the right approach, chains tangle, stones scratch, and clasps loosen in transit. The goal is to keep each item separated, cushioned, and easy to find when you arrive.

Everyday Travellers

• Choose a travel jewellery case - Compact cases with individual compartments can keep earrings, rings, and necklaces apart. A structured case reduces movement during travel.

• Wrap delicate pieces - Use soft cloths or resealable plastic bags to keep items from scratching against each other. For earrings, push the pair through a small piece of cardboard or fabric before storing.

• Think design-specific - Larger statement pieces may need more space than slim bands or studs. Storage by shape can help.

Frequent Flyers

• Anti-tarnish pouches - Travellers who fly often know the struggle of jewellery losing its shine. Specially lined pouches slow oxidation, keeping silver and gold brighter for longer.
• Labelled cases for easy access - If you carry multiple items, labelled compartments save time and prevent accidental tangling. Some seasoned travellers even use pill organisers or small tackle boxes for lightweight pieces.

Step-by-Step Packing Checklist

Here’s a quick process you can follow before your next trip:

1. Lay jewellery on a clean, flat surface.

2. Place each item into a soft pouch or wrap.

3. Store wrapped items in a travel jewellery case with compartments.

4. Add anti-tarnish strips for silver or gold.

5. Pack the case securely in your carry-on.

A few minutes of careful packing can prevent hours of untangling or the heartbreak of damage on arrival. Check out our guide, Travel Safe: A Guide To Packing Your Precious Jewellery, for more info.

What Happens if You Need to Make a Claim Overseas?

Losing or damaging jewellery while travelling is stressful, but what happens next depends on the cover you have in place. The process can look very different depending on whether you're uninsured, relying on general travel insurance, or travelling with specialist jewellery cover.

No Insurance

With no cover, the process may be simple but stressful. You can either pay out of pocket for a replacement or repair, sometimes at inflated prices, or you may need to go without until you can afford a suitable replacement.

General Travel Insurance

If you have travel insurance, the first step is usually to report the loss or theft to both the local authorities and your insurance provider, as a police report may be required. You may then need to gather receipts, photos, or proof of ownership which may be required when submitting your claim. The insurer reviews the paperwork, and if approved, you may receive compensation or the insurer may advise you on how to organise a replacement or repair. However, the payout or total amount of cover could be limited, which can mean covering part of the cost yourself or accepting a replacement that doesn't exactly match the original.

Specialist Jewellery Cover with JewelCover

As soon as the incident happens, you contact your provider, who can guide you step by step, wherever you are in the world. You may still need to file a police report or complete a statutory declaration, and some paperwork is required, but the JewelCover team can support you through it. Once the claim is accepted, you may be able to organise a replacement or repair directly with your preferred jeweller. In many cases, this happens without excess or out-of-pocket expenses, making it far less disruptive to your travels.

Takeaway: The key difference isn't just in cover, it's in how supported you feel navigating the claims process when you're far from home.

Staying Covered on the Go

Travelling with jewellery adds sparkle to your adventures, but it also brings unique risks. From misplacing a ring in a hotel room to damage caused mid-flight, the way these incidents are handled depends on the cover you choose. General travel insurance may provide limited help and cover, while specialist jewellery cover is built with the value and meaning of your pieces in mind.

If you're weighing up your options, it may be worth considering how different policies handle claims overseas, and whether specialist cover could give you the support you need. That way, your jewellery can travel with you, whether it's an engagement ring, heirloom, or everyday piece.

Ready to explore cover tailored for your jewellery? Learn more about JewelCover's options and get an indicative online quote today. It might be the best step toward finding the best insurance for jewellery for your next trip.