If you have homeowners or renters insurance it may not fully cover your jewelry. Your insurance policy may cover jewelry theft, but not loss that occurs for other reasons.

Renter's and homeowner's insurance policies also set limits for the loss of certain categories of personal property, including jewelry. Homeowner's policies typically pay a maximum of $1,5 00 for jewelry theft. A renter's insurance policy might have a lower limit for jewelry loss--$500-$1000 is common.

The following are some tips for insuring your valuable fine jewelry.

One of the first and most important steps is to have all of your fine jewelry appraised by an independent appraiser. Make sure each item is listed, described and valued on paper.

You may be able to choose coverage with or without a deductible. Rates for personal property insurance may vary depending on where you live.

Carefully read and understand your home owner's or renter's insurance policy to find out the amount of coverage it will provide for items such as jewelry. The best insurance will cover loss, theft and damage.

Ask your insurance agent about taking out a separate policy on your valuables or adding a rider to your home owner's policy to cover jewelry that goes beyond the value of personal property covered in the basic policy.

Take time to compare all insurance plans, as well as the reputation of each company. Choose the one that gives you the most coverage for your money and the most flexibility if you have to replace jewelry.

Other tips to protect your jewelry:

-You should store your jewelry in a personal safe or in a safety deposit box.

-You should inspect your jewelry on a regular basis to reassess its value. If your jewelry is not valued properly, you may not be able to recover what you need to replace it if is stolen or lost.

-It is a good idea to have photos of your jewelry. Sometimes photos can offer assistance in recovering or replacing your valuables.

You should make yourself familiar with how the insurance process works. Ask your insurance agent questions before you insure an item. Don't wait until you need to file a claim. Always read the fine print in any insurance contract to make sure your are receiving the coverage you expect.