Traveling to China for a Month, Insurance company recs?

[metall]

Hi All,

I am about to travel internationally for a month in March and I wanted to get a little additional jewelry insurance for when I am away. I really have no experience with this as my ring is currently covered in my homeowner's policy and my broker had done a separate umbrella policy which will protect against loss.

Normally, I travel with no jewelry, but this is the first time my grandfather is meeting my fiance. In a sense I'm only bringing the ring to show it off. However, we will be going to a bunch of different smaller towns and villages which have higher crime rates.

Has anyone travelled internationally and bought a separate policy for their jewelry? Could anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance!

-Metall

 

[OoohShiny]

I really don't think I would risk it if you are going to remote areas - you can't exactly ring the police and have them arrive in 20 minutes if you have no cellphone reception and the next village is half a day's drive away lol

I do appreciate your situation, though - perhaps a plain band could be worn, and then you could show your grandfather pictures of your actual ring (and your engagement, if you had any pictures taken ).

 

[WinkHPD]

Please talk with your insurance agent. You may already be covered under your policy since you are traveling and not moving to China. If so, no worries. If not, then you need to make arrangements or leave the jewelry home.

Just my thoughts.

Wink

 

[kenny]

Keep in mind NO insurance prevents physical violence against you and yours even if your 'insured' jewelry is what's being robbed.

You may get your money back ... but not your life ... or a face before it was slashed up with a knife.

Is it really worth putting you and yours at risk of injury (or worse) in known higher-crime areas by wearing expensive jewelry, just to (as you put it) show it off?

I agree with leaving it at home, but bringing pics.

 

[metall]

Keep in mind NO insurance prevents physical violence against you and yours even if your 'insured' jewelry is what's being robbed.

You may get your money back ... but not your life ... or a face before it was slashed up with a knife.

Is it really worth putting you and yours at risk of injury (or worse) in known higher-crime areas by wearing expensive jewelry, just to (as you put it) show it off?

I agree with leaving it at home, but bringing pics.

I think that I should clarify that I am not staying in the smaller villages, I will be living in one of the biggest cities in the country. But family traditions dictate that I must visit my ancestral home(s), which are in smaller villages.

My grandfather has been very ill these last couple of years and as much as it hurts me to say, his time here is limited. In a lot of ways, having physical "proof" of my impending wedding is important in my culture and to him. As weird as it sounds, the ring would bring him a lot of joy.

I understand that potential risks that I am taking, but there are a lot of factors which inclines me to bring it. If I AM in a situation where it's my life or the ring, of course I would give up the ring, but I am hoping that it doesn't come down to it. I'm more looking to insure against loss, similar to if I lose it here in the US.

Please talk with your insurance agent. You may already be covered under your policy since you are traveling and not moving to China. If so, no worries. If not, then you need to make arrangements or leave the jewelry home.

Just my thoughts.

Wink

That's a good idea Wink, I haven't thought to inquire about this with my insurance company. I had always just assumed that i would have to get separate traveler's insurance or something like that.

I really don't think I would risk it if you are going to remote areas - you can't exactly ring the police and have them arrive in 20 minutes if you have no cellphone reception and the next village is half a day's drive away lol

I do appreciate your situation, though - perhaps a plain band could be worn, and then you could show your grandfather pictures of your actual ring (and your engagement, if you had any pictures taken ).

I don't believe that it would be as bad as you describe. It's really no different than going to say a small town in Pennsylvania, or going hiking for a day at a National forest. I'm more worried about whether or not there are insurances which will cover international losses.

Unfortunately, I come from a culture which places a lot of value on material things. A picture is worth no words in this situation. There are many factor that cause me to feel quite obligated to bring it, so my next steps are really just to find the best insurance possible and take appropriate precautions.

 

[WinkHPD]

That's a good idea Wink, I haven't thought to inquire about this with my insurance company. I had always just assumed that i would have to get separate traveler's insurance or something like that.

I am looking forward to your reply after you talk with your agent, and I bet several others here are too.

Wink

 

[SimoneDi]

I would leave it at home. Not worth the risk. Get a placeholder ring, I doubt that your grandfather will care much about the actual ring, he will simply be thrilled to see you and your fiancé and that is what matters! Enjoy your trip!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If there is a rider which specifically covers your ring, then it should be covered anywhere. The problem arises if they give you trouble about using the same vendors for the diamond and setting. I’d get that clarified in writing, preferably. If they won’t let you choose the replacement vendors, then I’d probably change insurance regardless. But it’s problematic right now because the jewelry insurance that will do a cash back policy has had some customer service issues lately. Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company has fairly high rates and sometimes allows you to choose who you work with, but I’d want that it writing, too.

Incidentally, I saw your message to me in Pre-loved yesterday and wrote you back. I didn’t get your LT message. See my post on that other thread.

 

[KristinTech]

@metall - I hope you have a wonderful trip and get to spend some time with your grandfather ogling that ring! I think your family and family friends there will help you figure out the territory and moving around with it. Wear a thin travel pack around your waist under your shirt— Take little soft silk pouch with zipper or closure to tuck the ring in there if you’re in a spot where it’s smarter to do so.

My 99-year-old landlady used to go grocery shopping with me sometimes. I knew that if I was out with Louise I had to turn my diamond in toward my palm! She was always telling me to hide it.
She was a jewelry lover with a 2.5 carat Art Deco marquise!

Enjoy this special trip, and I can’t wait to hear about how excited your grandfather is for your wedding!

 

[rockysalamander]

There is no reason not to wear your ring to show your grandfather. The question is really must you wear your ring while travelling to your ancestral villages or areas where it may draw attention? You can have a family member at your home base wear the ring while you travel around, place it in a safe spot in your home base, or just place it into money belt worn under your clothing (ideally, beneath something you will tuck into a waistband. You may know this, but for future readers....this belt is correctly worn higher on your waist than pants. I see people wear them slung across their hips which is silly. I also don't like the ones that clip in the back, too easy to ignore probing fingers on your back. I also don't advise a neck pouch, as the thin strap is too easy to slice. I've seen many tourists lose those (and purses with straps) when travelling abroad.




RFID blocking and secure clip. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FCT54G...1s8mcOywnyQ&slotNum=23&tag=choosy-traveler-20

 

[metall]

All good suggestions. I spoke with my insurance carrier for my ring and the answer he gave me was somewhat wishy washy. What I took from it was that they cover some countries but he's not sure if China is one of them. Then he went into a spiel about if there was a report that might change the outcome....I am waiting for a supervisor to get back to me with a more coherent response.

My umbrella on the other hand definitely doesn't cover it though since it is tied to my homeowners insurance, but the lady I spoke with mentioned that I might be able to get a month long travelers policy or something for my trip for a discounted price since I have other policies through them. I am also waiting to hear back regarding this, though the figures she quoted me were INSANE!

I think my next step is to go ahead and start inquiring with other insurance companies for traveler's insurance and/or just get a new ring policy. I was thinking of getting new insurance anyways so this might just be the push to get me to go searching.

 

[metall]

Following up, I do have a few of those tuck inside your clothes pouches, and they are the best for carrying cash and documents. I definitely recommend for all travelers. That's a good idea for tucking the ring away, I do also have access to my uncles safe deposit box if the need turns up, and I am sure my grandfather would be thrilled to hold onto the ring for me while I visit the villages (he can no longer make the journey).

The insurance policy is just another precaution that I would like to take. I am not super paranoid but I am superstitious - along the lines of when I bring an umbrella it never rains, if i don't bring a umbrella i will run into typhoon level rains.

@diamondseeker2006, you bring up a great point about the type of policy. My current policy is a cheapy policy that I bought for a year when I first got engaged just to have something. It is coming due to be renewed in March or April so I will most likely be shopping around soon anyways. I will keep your words in mind while I look for new policies going forward.

BTW, I'm so sorry! I didn't see your message on the other forum, I will e-mail you when I get home tonight, it's been a couple of very long weeks at work.

 

[Rubybrick]

Following up, I do have a few of those tuck inside your clothes pouches, and they are the best for carrying cash and documents. I definitely recommend for all travelers. That's a good idea for tucking the ring away, I do also have access to my uncles safe deposit box if the need turns up, and I am sure my grandfather would be thrilled to hold onto the ring for me while I visit the villages (he can no longer make the journey).

The insurance policy is just another precaution that I would like to take. I am not super paranoid but I am superstitious - along the lines of when I bring an umbrella it never rains, if i don't bring a umbrella i will run into typhoon level rains.

@diamondseeker2006, you bring up a great point about the type of policy. My current policy is a cheapy policy that I bought for a year when I first got engaged just to have something. It is coming due to be renewed in March or April so I will most likely be shopping around soon anyways. I will keep your words in mind while I look for new policies going forward.

BTW, I'm so sorry! I didn't see your message on the other forum, I will e-mail you when I get home tonight, it's been a couple of very long weeks at work.

No advice on insurance policy here but wanted to Mention that I traveled to China many times in the last 15 year (big city and little villages), always wore my jewelry. Granted I don’t think mine are that sizable comparing some of the ones I see here. I have only very occasionally felt the need to turn my ring inward, but that applies here in the US too. If it is a worry about misplacing it, then I would leave it home.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Did you ever send your diamond to GIA?

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...rt-so-many-projects-so-many-questions.236462/

cheers--Sharon

 

[metall]

HI:

Did you ever send your diamond to GIA?

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...rt-so-many-projects-so-many-questions.236462/

cheers--Sharon

Ahhh, hi sharon, I have not yet. But I plan to when I get back from this trip. I knew I saw your post somewhere, but I didn't remember where! (for more indepth explanation I posted in the original thread)

No advice on insurance policy here but wanted to Mention that I traveled to China many times in the last 15 year (big city and little villages), always wore my jewelry. Granted I don’t think mine are that sizable comparing some of the ones I see here. I have only very occasionally felt the need to turn my ring inward, but that applies here in the US too. If it is a worry about misplacing it, then I would leave it home.

Thanks for the heads up Rubyrock. I am ultimately deciding to bring my ring. However, I did order a fuggy to take with me as well for when I travel and are out and about. This kills two birds with one stone, my grandfather will see the ring, but for most of the trip I will be sporting a fake. My uncle has a safe that he is willing to keep the ring in when I'm not wearing it.

 

[TreeScientist]

My recommendation when traveling: Don't bring anything you're not prepared to lose.

Not saying you should go out of your way to lose things, but when you're traveling around less-affluent regions of the world and you're an outsider, you're going to draw attention. Ideally, it's best to draw as little attention to yourself as possible. This is why I never understood "placeholder rings." If you're in a situation where you think it may be dangerous/unwise to wear your real ring, why would you want to wear a fake that a thief may mistake as real? Real or fake, wearing a diamond ring still increases your chance of getting mugged, which is no fun even if you don't lose an expensive ring.

Whenever I'm traveling anywhere in the world, I try to look as poor as humanely possible without looking homeless (meaning I still maintain my regular hygienic/bathing habits ). I'm fairly young, so I can still pull off the "scraggly backbacker on a gap year" look, meaning beat-to-crap North Face backpack, hybrid boardshorts, plain white v-neck t-shirt, sandals, unkept hair, and an ever-present 5 o'clock shadow. I also don't bring anything expensive with me (bring a cheap-o Chromebook instead of my MacBook Pro) or wear my nice watches. Never had anyone mug or even attempt to mug me, and I've been in some pretty sketchy areas without being particularly careful. Part of this may come down to the fact that I'm 6'2" and fairly athletic, but I think it's mainly because thieves look at my attire and think "not worth it."

Moral of the tangent: If you must bring the ring, NEVER wear it except for when you're at your grandfather's house (use one of the hide-away packs posted above to carry it or leave it with your grandfather), don't wear anything else flashy, and look as plain and unassuming as possible. I doubt you'll have any problems. Most thieves go for the low-hanging fruit, meaning stupid tourists who wear flashy jewelry, clothes, and accessories (purses, watches, etc.) and are constantly waiving around brand-new I-Phones or Samsung Galaxys.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I agree with not wearing a fake ring for the reasons @TreeScientist said. I personally wear a plain wedding band and no diamonds when traveling to places that might not be safe. It’s been over 20 years since I’ve been to China, but I didn’t want to attract attention or have to worry about valuables. Keeping the passport safe is #1 as far as possessions go. So leaving the ring in the safe while you travel is good, but I wouldn’t wear a fake while you’re traveling.

 

[Austina]

My policy covers my jewellery if it’s in the safe or being worn. I don’t need additional coverage when I travel, as long as I’m wearing it.

 

[metall]

My policy covers my jewellery if it’s in the safe or being worn. I don’t need additional coverage when I travel, as long as I’m wearing it.

@Austina, that's what I've found out as well, though I did take my insurance's offer of buying travelers insurance for the duration of my trip to cover medical and other expenses. So the poor baby will most likely be in safe for most of my trip, just those few obligatory places I need to wear it out for.

My recommendation when traveling: Don't bring anything you're not prepared to lose.

Not saying you should go out of your way to lose things, but when you're traveling around less-affluent regions of the world and you're an outsider, you're going to draw attention. Ideally, it's best to draw as little attention to yourself as possible. This is why I never understood "placeholder rings." If you're in a situation where you think it may be dangerous/unwise to wear your real ring, why would you want to wear a fake that a thief may mistake as real? Real or fake, wearing a diamond ring still increases your chance of getting mugged, which is no fun even if you don't lose an expensive ring.

Whenever I'm traveling anywhere in the world, I try to look as poor as humanely possible without looking homeless (meaning I still maintain my regular hygienic/bathing habits ). I'm fairly young, so I can still pull off the "scraggly backbacker on a gap year" look, meaning beat-to-crap North Face backpack, hybrid boardshorts, plain white v-neck t-shirt, sandals, unkept hair, and an ever-present 5 o'clock shadow. I also don't bring anything expensive with me (bring a cheap-o Chromebook instead of my MacBook Pro) or wear my nice watches. Never had anyone mug or even attempt to mug me, and I've been in some pretty sketchy areas without being particularly careful. Part of this may come down to the fact that I'm 6'2" and fairly athletic, but I think it's mainly because thieves look at my attire and think "not worth it."

Moral of the tangent: If you must bring the ring, NEVER wear it except for when you're at your grandfather's house (use one of the hide-away packs posted above to carry it or leave it with your grandfather), don't wear anything else flashy, and look as plain and unassuming as possible. I doubt you'll have any problems. Most thieves go for the low-hanging fruit, meaning stupid tourists who wear flashy jewelry, clothes, and accessories (purses, watches, etc.) and are constantly waiving around brand-new I-Phones or Samsung Galaxys.

I agree with not wearing a fake ring for the reasons @TreeScientist said. I personally wear a plain wedding band and no diamonds when traveling to places that might not be safe. It’s been over 20 years since I’ve been to China, but I didn’t want to attract attention or have to worry about valuables. Keeping the passport safe is #1 as far as possessions go. So leaving the ring in the safe while you travel is good, but I wouldn’t wear a fake while you’re traveling.

Thank you for your concern, everyone's concern is very sweet!

Unfortunately, I'm not traveling for pleasure this time around and it's basically obligatory for me to bring my ring. I wouldn't otherwise, though my mom tells me that I could wear a 5ct and no one would give a hoot, so that was...comforting?!?!?

Regarding the fake, I pick up a silver 1/2 ct bezel set cz , so I don't believe that I would be a big target....just something to keep my ring tan started for the summer

 

[Austina]

I wear more expensive pieces of jewellery on holiday than I do at home, I’ve travelled all over the world (including all over China) and never had a problem.