A Jeweller's Policy has traditionally provided extensive cover for sales people that carry expensive jewellery, precious stones or metals. There are few specific exclusions, however this does not relieve the policy holder of their duty of care, - a prerequisite of any insurance policy so beware the implications......for example:
Boot or Passenger Compartment
Where to carry the goods? Generally the car boot is the safest place providing you take some elementary precautions. For example, a very stout hardened steel chain threaded through the handles(s) of your sample case(s) and padlocked to a securing point in the car is a good deterrent. It is also easily moved from one to another, for example if you have to hire a vehicle. Additional security in the form of Slam Locks are more expensive, but enable you to secure your valuables in your vehicle boot quickly and unobtrusively.
Most modern cars have central locking. Ensure that you deadlock the boot so that it cannot be opened when you are sitting in or geeting into or out of your vehicle when the bootlock may become released.
If you carry exceptional high value single pieces of Jewellery, Cash or Precious Stones then Security Waistcoats or Money Belts are excellent.
Car Alarms
An up to date good quality alarm is essential, even if you do not purchase the extra unattended vehicle cover. It is likely to cause delays and aggravation to a thief. It needs to incorporate a backup power supply, ignition immoblisier, and automatic setting with silent entry gain by key switch.
Car Identification
Remove any ID relating to the garage that supplied you with the vehicle. It tells a thief who to ask for a set of duplicate keys! It is said that the best of security codes used for genuine customer identification have a failure rate of 20%.
Personal number plates are fun, but make it easy to identify your car, so avoid.
Hotel Rooms
Generally not excluded, which means the risk is covered. Each set of circumstances must be considered on its own merits. Always use Hotel Safes whenever possible. If you have the benefit of 24 hour unattended vehicle, it may be better to leave goods in your car whilst you have dinner or breakfast, but always remove the goods to your room when you retire for the night. One should try to avoid leaving high values of jewellery in any hotel room when it is unattended.
Leaving Goods with Customers
Generally not excluded. This is a good way to offload your range. Remember that each situation must be assessed on its own merits. Only leave goods with customers if the location is safer and more secure than the alternatives.
Your Principals or Employer
If your employer or principal arranges your insurance it is vital that they are informed of any other stock ranges you may carry for others. Additional and accumulated values, even if they are all insured with different insurers are likely to be material facts which will influence an Insurer's assessment of the risk.
Aircraft Holds
There are a number of precautions you can take in order to reduce the likelihood of loss when travelling by air. These will probably assist you to demonstrate your duty of care in the event of loss.
- Always take the goods into the aircraft cabin so that they are accompanied at all times.
- If you are not permitted to take the stock into the aircraft cabin due to their bulky nature then explain the nature of the goods and ask if you may accompany the goods on to the "tarmac" so as to see them personally into the aircraft hold. At the same time try to make provision to be seated on the aircraft enabling you to be first out, if possible on to the tarmac, so that you may then personally see your cases off the aircraft.
Often major airlines will not allow their passengers on to the tarmac for security reasons. Most will allow passengers to take exceptional items to a special baggage area where you may accompany them during X-ray and checking just prior to them being put out for final loading. By taking this action your jewellery will hopefully avoid the insecure luggage carousel and enable you to:
- Demonstrate your "duty of care".
- Provide you with an opportunity to take details of names of personnel or departments to whom the goods are handed over.
