Jetting off on holiday often means packing your best outfits – and for many, that includes bringing along some favourite jewellery pieces. Whether it’s a diamond ring, a treasured heirloom necklace, or your go-to gold hoops, it’s not unusual to want to take your jewellery abroad. For many, this may include sentimental pieces like an engagement ring that is worn daily.
But with that comes a degree of risk. Items can be lost, stolen, or damaged in ways that could turn a dream getaway into a costly nightmare.
If you’re heading abroad with jewellery that’s valuable - whether financially or emotionally - it pays to be prepared.
In this guide, we’ll share essential travel tips to help you protect your pieces – along with what you need to know about jewellery insurance, cover abroad, and policy obligations to be aware of.
Why you need to be cautious when travelling with jewellery
Important:Always check your insurance policy wording before travelling. When away from your home there are usually extra terms and conditions especially regarding security.
From security queues to sandy beaches, the risks to your jewellery start the moment you leave your house. Thieves often target tourists, especially those who appear to be wearing expensive or sentimental items. Hotels, airports, and beaches can also be hotspots for accidental loss or damage.
It’s not just about theft, either. Travelling means changing climates, new routines, and unfamiliar environments – all of which can pose risks to delicate items. Chlorine in pools, sand at the beach, or a rushed airport security check can be enough to cause irreparable harm.
That’s why it’s essential to balance fashion with caution when packing jewellery for a trip.
What to consider before you pack
Before you start adding items to your travel jewellery pouch, ask yourself the following:
- Do I really need this item abroad?
- Is it something I’ll wear regularly, or will it stay in the hotel room? If it’s a sentimental or irreplaceable item – like a diamond engagement ring or antique diamond ring – think twice.
- Can I safely store it while I’m away?
- Does the hotel have a secure in-room safe? If not, can I make use of the hotel’s main safe or safety deposit facilities?
- Is it covered under my jewellery insurance for travel abroad? Not all jewellery is automatically covered abroad, even with a home contents or travel insurance policy. You’ll likely need specialist jewellery insurance with worldwide cover. Travel insurance policies typically have a low sum insured for jewellery
Travel tips for protecting your jewellery abroad
Here’s how to keep your jewellery safe while you travel – without compromising on style.
Wear it on the plane
Keep valuable items on your person during your journey. That means wearing or storing them in your carry-on, never in checked luggage. Checked bags are more likely to be lost or handled by others, increasing the risk of theft (as we mentioned in a recent blog, where a £3k diamond ring was stolen from checked luggage).
If you’re taking multiple items – particularly high-value ones like a diamond ring – invest in a secure, padded travel jewellery case for your hand luggage. Choose one with compartments and zips - and avoid anything see-through or branded that could catch attention.
Avoid unnecessary wear
As tempting as it is to wear your jewellery all the time, it’s not worth the risk in certain situations. Remove items when:
- Swimming – chlorine and saltwater can corrode metal and loosen settings
- Applying sunscreen – residue can cause build-up and affect appearance
- Participating in sports or excursions – rings can snag, and earrings fall out
- Visiting busy or high-crime areas – you could be a target for theft.
Instead, keep jewellery for dinners, evenings out, or low-risk environments.
If you’re wearing your engagement ring or diamond ring while travelling, consider switching it to your other hand or pairing it with a more subtle band in public.
Use the hotel safe (correctly)
Hotel safes offer a degree of protection, but they’re not fool proof. Choose hotels with secure, in-room safes that require a code you set yourself. Alternatively, ask reception if you can store items in the main safe or a dedicated safety deposit box.
When using a hotel safe:
- Don’t leave items in open view – always use a pouch or box
- Don’t mention your valuables to other guests or staff unnecessarily
- Take a photo of items stored in the safe, along with a photo of the locked safe itself, as evidence
- Check your jewellery insurance policy terms and conditions – some policies may only cover theft from safes that meet certain specifications or security standards.
Please read your policy wording carefully when away from your home, you will usually be required to leave items in a safe when not being worn
Be discreet
Even if your jewellery isn’t high in monetary value, it might look like it is. Sparkly pieces – such as diamond rings – can draw attention in busy areas and unfamiliar places.
- Avoid wearing multiple eye catching items at once in public
- Don’t post geotagged selfies on social media wearing obvious jewellery while away
- Keep your jewellery tucked under clothing if in areas known for pickpocketing.
Being discreet is often your best defence.
Keep an inventory
Before you travel, create an inventory of every jewellery item you’re taking. Include:
- Clear photographs from multiple angles
- A description (metal, stones, distinguishing features)
- Value and proof of purchase or valuation documents (if available). This is especially important for insured items like a diamond engagement ring.
Store this information digitally (in the cloud or in your email) so it can be accessed even if your device is lost or stolen.
Understanding jewellery insurance for travel
Not all diamond ring insurance and jewellery insurance policies offer the same level of protection for your precious pieces abroad and assuming you’re covered could leave you out of pocket.
Does your jewellery insurance policy include worldwide cover?
Many home contents policies have limitations on cover outside of the UK. Even if your jewellery is listed under your home insurance, it may only be covered for a limited number of days abroad – or not at all.
That’s why specialist, standalone jewellery insurance is often recommended. At Assetsure, for example, our policies can typically provide:
- Worldwide cover for a set number of days (60 days per trip)
- Accidental damage protection – helpful if something breaks while away, or you lose a gemstone
- Theft and loss cover – provided policy conditions are met
Be aware of policy obligations
It is important to note that your jewellery insurance typically won’t pay out if you’ve failed to follow the terms of your policy. These terms can vary depending on the policy type and the insurance provider, but common conditions may include:
- Jewellery must be stored in a locked safe when not worn
- Claims must be supported by photographic evidence, receipts or valuations
- Losses must be reported to the police and a crime number obtained (even abroad)
- You must take reasonable precautions to protect your jewellery (e.g., not leaving it unattended on a beach).
If you’re travelling with valuable items, make sure you understand exactly what your jewellery insurance policy expects of you – and document everything carefully. Speak to your insurance provider if you’re unsure as to your obligations when taking your jewellery abroad.
Should you leave your jewellery at home?
For some, the answer will be “yes”. If your jewellery is expensive, sentimental, or irreplaceable, the safest option may be to leave it behind in a secure place. This is particularly true for vintage or family heirlooms. Watches are particularly vulnerable to being stolen whilst travelling.
Alternatively, consider travelling with good-quality costume jewellery. That way, you still get the aesthetic you love without the worry.
If you really can’t leave an item behind such as a diamond engagement ring you wear daily you can take a few extra precautions:
- Have it cleaned and checked by a jeweller before you travel to ensure the settings are secure
- Keep it protected with comprehensive jewellery insurance with worldwide cover
- Make sure your partner or family know the item is being worn, so they can help keep an eye on it.
What to do if something goes wrong
Despite all your best efforts, the unexpected can happen. If you lose, damage, or have jewellery stolen while travelling, inform your insurer as soon as possible – ideally within 24 hours. They will advise you of the next steps.
Being organised and having documentation on hand (e.g., in the cloud or on email) can also make the process smoother.
Happy holidays
Taking your jewellery abroad can be part of enjoying your holiday in style – but it does require a bit of planning. From protecting pieces on the journey to understanding your jewellery insurance cover, the key is to be proactive and aware of the risks.
As a reminder, whether you’re heading off for a beachside break, a city getaway, or a luxury cruise, remember to:
- Wear or carry your jewellery on the plane – do not put it in your hold luggage
- Store items in a secure hotel safe and only wear them when appropriate
- Keep proof of ownership, valuations, and photos stored somewhere you can access digitally
- Check your jewellery insurance covers worldwide travel – and understand your responsibilities under the policy terms and conditions.
And above all, if in doubt, don’t take your precious items with you.
Going away and looking for a jewellery insurance quote?
At Assetsure, we understand how important your jewellery is – whether it’s a diamond ring, an engagement ring, or a treasured heirloom. That’s why our specialist jewellery insurance includes worldwide cover, so you can travel with confidence.
Get a jewellery insurance quote here (or call us on 0208 0033 190) and enjoy your holiday knowing your jewellery is protected – wherever you go.
