Moving house has a habit of turning even the most organised people's lives upside down. One minute you're carefully labelling boxes, the next you're wondering where you've put the kettle, or even your engagement ring. Amid the bustle of packing, moving and unpacking, jewellery can easily be misplaced, damaged or accidentally left behind.
Planning ahead can help reduce these risks. It's also a good opportunity to review your jewellery insurance and make sure your cover still reflects your circumstances.
Why moving house can put jewellery at greater risk
Unlike furniture or electrical appliances, jewellery is small, valuable and easy to overlook. Rings are often taken off before carrying furniture, necklaces become tangled in drawers, and watches can disappear into coat pockets or bedside tables.
Many people also hide jewellery somewhere "safe" before moving, only to forget where that place was. With people coming and going, doors left open and the inevitable disruption of moving day, it's easy to see why jewellery can be misplaced.
Keep valuable jewellery with you
Most removal companies recommend keeping important documents and other valuables with you rather than loading them onto the removal van. The same approach makes sense for your jewellery.
Where practical, transport engagement rings, watches and other valuable pieces yourself in a secure jewellery case or watch roll. Keeping everything together helps prevent scratches and means you always know where your jewellery is.
There are also plenty of clever packing ideas online. Popular suggestions include threading necklace chains through drinking straws to help prevent tangles and using pill organisers to keep earrings, cufflinks and other small pieces neatly separated during the move.
Check your jewellery insurance before changing address
Moving home is an ideal time to review your jewellery insurance. If you've bought, inherited or received valuable jewellery since taking out your policy, check it's included where appropriate.
It's also worth reviewing your insured values, as rising precious metal and gemstone prices can increase replacement costs. If your jewellery valuation is several years old, it may no longer reflect what it would cost to replace the item today.
Do I need to tell my insurer I'm moving?
Most insurance policies require you to notify your insurer when you change address or your circumstances change. Check your policy wording or contact your jewellery insurance provider if you're unsure. Failure to do this may invalidate your policy.
Remember where you've hidden your jewellery
It's surprisingly common for people to hide valuable jewellery before a move and then forget where they've put it. Before packing, make a note (or send yourself an email) of anywhere you've stored valuables, so nothing is accidentally left behind.
Unpacking deserves just as much care
Once you've arrived, resist the temptation to rush.
Open jewellery boxes over a soft surface, check packing paper before throwing it away and keep smaller jewellery boxes together until you've confirmed every item has been unpacked. Avoid leaving valuable jewellery unattended while you're settling in.
A little planning goes a long way
Moving home is busy enough without worrying whether your jewellery has made the journey safely. Spending a little time gathering together valuations and deciding how you'll transport each piece can make the whole process less stressful.
It's also the perfect opportunity to review your jewellery insurance and ensure your cover remains appropriate. A few simple checks before moving day could help protect some of your treasured possessions.
Important- Remember to read your insurance policy before moving
It is vital that you study your home insurance policy carefully before moving, especially sections covering valuable items. Some policies will have restrictions on how jewellery can be transported and may even have a safe requirement. If you have a safe warranty on your current insurance, remember to check if the same will apply to your new address.
