NEED ADVICE!!! feather inclusion gone wrong....

[ktbodas]

So, I am at work and BAM, nailed my ring on a stretcher that came slamming down. When inspecting my ring, I noticed it wasn't as sparkling and brilliant as before and there was a new hairline fracture across the top. You can also see a bubble from the side. Thinking that my insurance company would replace it, I filed a claim and took their advice in going with the jeweler they suggested. To sum it up, the staff told me it was cracked but there was a feather in the same vicinity. Now, my insurance company is refusing to replace it because of "normal wear and tear". Any suggestions as to what to do from here????????

 

[tyty333]

First of all I would take it to another jeweler (they didnt suggest) or an appraiser and have them take a look at it.

What does the fact that there is a feather near the crack have anything to do with not replacing it?

Get a copy of your insurance policy and find out exactly what it says. And...who is your insurance company?
Maybe others have worked with them and can give you advice.

Edit - does the crack start at the feather? Are they saying that since there was already a feather there that your
normal wear and tear created the crack? Still not really understanding their prospective.

 

[ktbodas]

So, the jeweler thought for sure it would be replaced even though he stated there was a feather but he could see the break without using a microscope. We even picked out a new diamond. When speaking with State Farm, they are saying the feather expanded to create the crack and it is "normal wear and tear". The crack looks like it is above the feather, but not along the exact drawing seen on the EGL report. I will definitely get a second opinion from an independant gemologist though. I appreciate any suggestions I just don't understand how I can be paying supplemental insurance for ring coverage, and they won't replace my damaged ring!!

 

[yssie]

So, the jeweler thought for sure it would be replaced even though he stated there was a feather but he could see the break without using a microscope. We even picked out a new diamond. When speaking with State Farm, they are saying the feather expanded to create the crack and it is "normal wear and tear". The crack looks like it is above the feather, but not along the exact drawing seen on the EGL report. I will definitely get a second opinion from an independant gemologist though. I appreciate any suggestions I just don't understand how I can be paying supplemental insurance for ring coverage, and they won't replace my damaged ring!!

Welcome to the realities of dealing with insurance of any type!

This is why a thorough, painstaking, idiot-proof appraisal to insure by is SO IMPORTANT - it closes all the loopholes you can bet your insurance vendor will try when you make a claim!

I hope things work out ktbodas! In your position I would want Niel Beaty's opinion, if he has time to take a look (he posts as denverappraiser on the forums).

 

[LLJsmom]

OMG. THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!! I am sooo sorry for what happened to your ring!! And how horrible of State Farm to try to weasel out of that one.

I have just completed the process of apply for a jewelry policy through State Farm, changing from Farmers since I have a friend who has a lot of one of a kind estate jewelry pieces and she loves State Farm. I also am looking into Allied, where I can purchase and "agreed upon replacement value" policy. I think I am leaning toward them. Evil insurance carriers!!

Hope it all turns out well!! Please let us know what happens. Best of luck!

 

[soxfan]

This is EXACTLY why I chose Jeweler's mutual. I have State Farm for homeowners insurance, and I called them about insurance on the ring. I did not like their answers. I know this doesn't help you now. I would definitely take it to an independent appraiser that can provide documentation that it was damaged by a blow, not a feather "expanding."

I SO hope you get it replaced!

 

[diamondringlover]

Wow ok this is very informative, I have State Farm and I have a rather large feather inclusion on the side of my diamond, might be time for me to check with some where else for coverage. I hope you can get a satisfactory resolution out of yours!

 

[ame]

Wow. This is horrible! What happened was an accidental damage loss, not "wear and tear". And clearly the jeweler knows that, so for the insurance company to be less than neighborly about it, pretty obnoxious.

If after you get this all settled you can look into a jewelry based policy like Jewelers Mutual, do it. This is a primary reason I refused to go with a rider type policy.

 

[ktbodas]

Thank you all for your input and responses!!! We are going to go back to the original appraiser to get it reevaluated and then send both reports to state farm. Keep your fingers crossed!!! I spoke with another gemologist who said typically State Farm is pretty reasonable so I am hoping I just need to submit more detail. If I have learned anything from this, if you get insurance for ANYTHING, take detailed pictures or request the dealer to do it and keep it stashed for any future damage that may occur!!!!!

 

[ktbodas]

Hi all,
I was wanting to give you an update. So, I took the ring back to the original dealer (an independant gemologist) who re-evaluated the diamond. He said a diamond of this quality should not have acquired a surface inclusion to this extent and deemed it was not "wear and tear". He submitted a letter to State Farm stating it had no surface inclusions initially. He also stated the diamond suffered a blow and broke along one of the cleavage lines stating there was a new surface inclusion. Instead of directly speaking with the claims department at State Farm, I contacted my local agent who then submitted the information. I am extremely ecstatic to say...THE ARE REPLACING THE DIAMOND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you all again for your input and support

katie

 

[soxfan]

Hi all,
I was wanting to give you an update. So, I took the ring back to the original dealer (an independant gemologist) who re-evaluated the diamond. He said a diamond of this quality should not have acquired a surface inclusion to this extent and deemed it was not "wear and tear". He submitted a letter to State Farm stating it had no surface inclusions initially. He also stated the diamond suffered a blow and broke along one of the cleavage lines stating there was a new surface inclusion. Instead of directly speaking with the claims department at State Farm, I contacted my local agent who then submitted the information. I am extremely ecstatic to say...THE ARE REPLACING THE DIAMOND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you all again for your input and support

katie

 

[diamondringlover]

Great news, thanks for the update

 

[Enerchi]

I am so happy for you!! what a relief to get that positve response back and know that you will once again, be all blingy and sparkly!!

Congrats on a great insurance outcome!

(do they allow you to chose your own stone? post your specs here and we can help you!!)

 

[ame]

Oh man, I am SO GLAD. I kept checking this thread for updates.

 

[Karl_K]

This is very typical for state farm in my area in my experience.
Deny Deny Deny until there is enough proof they would lose in court.
Then try and cheap out and pay as little as possible.
A lot of people would give up in this situation and the claims adjuster gets a bonus for another claim they didn't have to pay.