Doesn't my homeowners policy already cover my valuables?

Yes, but only up to strict dollar caps that often fall far short of what your valuables are actually worth. Your homeowners policy includes personal belongings under contents or personal property coverage, but for certain categories it applies special internal limits called sub-limits. A sub-limit is a smaller cap inside your larger coverage limit, and it is where many Georgia families get an unpleasant surprise after a theft.

What sub-limits apply to jewelry and valuables on a Georgia homeowners policy?

On a typical homeowners policy, theft of jewelry is usually capped around $1,500 to $2,500 total, no matter how high your overall contents limit is. Firearms are often limited to about $2,500 for theft, silverware to around $2,500, and money to a few hundred dollars. So even if your policy lists $300,000 of personal property coverage, a stolen $10,000 ring may only bring a $1,500 check.

Collections fall into the same trap. Wine, fine art, and sports cards are commonly capped at $2,500 under a standard policy, and those caps apply to the entire category, not per item.

What is the difference between a sub-limit and a scheduled articles floater?

A sub-limit caps coverage at a fixed dollar amount across all items in a category. A personal articles floater, also called a scheduled floater, lists each valuable individually at its full appraised value. For example, a Marietta homeowner who schedules a $12,000 watch and a $5,000 ring separately would receive up to $17,000 if both were stolen, compared to just $1,500 under the standard sub-limit for the same loss.

Scheduling also typically removes the deductible requirement and expands covered causes of loss to include accidental disappearance, which the base policy does not cover.

Does a standard homeowners policy cover lost or accidentally damaged jewelry?

No. The base policy generally covers jewelry only when it is stolen or destroyed by a covered peril such as fire. Accidental loss, such as a ring falling off your finger or a stone coming loose from its setting, is not covered under a standard policy. A scheduled floater covers these scenarios, which is why it is the standard path for high-value items.

How much does it cost to schedule valuables in Georgia?

Industry figures commonly place the cost at roughly $1 to $2 per $100 of insured value per year. A $10,000 ring might add $100 to $200 annually to your premium. Jewelry above certain values typically requires a current appraisal from a certified appraiser before a carrier will schedule it. For example, a Johns Creek homeowner who schedules a $15,000 engagement ring at $1.50 per $100 pays $225 a year for coverage that includes theft, accidental loss, and mysterious disappearance, compared to a maximum $1,500 payout under the standard sub-limit.

How can I find out if my valuables are properly covered?

Pull your policy's declarations page and look for the personal property section. The sub-limits for specific categories are listed in the coverage detail or an attached schedule. If those caps are lower than the replacement value of your items, a free coverage review can confirm what options are available to close that gap. Home insurance riders and floaters vary by carrier, so comparing options matters before selecting one.

For the full picture on scheduling, agreed value, and mysterious disappearance, see the jewelry insurance guide.