What's in the box?

Families may be surprised how quickly their "bling" and sentimental items of jewellery mount up in value once they add them together.

Halifax Home insurance has found that five million (11 per cent) of Britons own over £5,000 worth of jewellery, yet, when questioned, a third of people have never valued their own collection.

Meanwhile, the ten per cent of people who have had their precious pieces valued said that it was ten years or more since they were last examined.

Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager at Halifax Home Insurance, said: "Our research shows that between us we Brits own a staggering amount of jewellery and enjoy making a statement by wearing valuable items when out and about.

"However, it seems many people with expensive jewellery collections may be selling themselves short by not getting their articles valued fully and insured for the correct amount. We would advise anyone wearing particularly valuable items outside the home on a daily basis to make sure that they are fully insured for loss, damage or theft when outside their property."

The Halifax has also found that 28 per cent of people who have had heirlooms and antiques valued had forgotten to send an up-to-date copy of the certificate of valuation to their insurer after the event.

15/05/2008 15:16:26