Jewellery Transport Insurance: High-Value Goods (UK Guide)

Introduction

If your business moves jewellery—whether you’re a manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, pawnbroker, auction house, or courier—your biggest exposure often isn’t the workshop or the shop floor. It’s the journey in between.

A single trip to a trade show, a delivery to a customer, a transfer between branches, or a collection from a supplier can involve tens (or hundreds) of thousands of pounds in high-value goods. And unlike many other products, jewellery is compact, easy to conceal, and highly attractive to organised criminals.

That’s why jewellery transport insurance (often referred to as goods in transit cover for jewellery or high-value goods transit insurance) is a specialist area. Standard courier liability, basic goods-in-transit policies, or general business insurance frequently fall short—either because of low limits, strict exclusions, or security conditions that aren’t realistic for your operation.

This guide explains how jewellery transport insurance works in the UK, what it typically covers, where claims can fail, and how to set up your transport process to meet insurer requirements.

What is jewellery transport insurance?

Jewellery transport insurance is designed to cover loss or damage to jewellery and other high-value items while they are being transported.

Depending on your setup, it can apply to:

• Your own vehicles (company vans/cars)

• Employees transporting stock (including directors)

• Specialist couriers or security carriers

• Postal services (where accepted by the insurer)

• Transfers between premises (shop to workshop, warehouse to store, store to exhibition)

• Deliveries to customers (B2B and, in some cases, B2C)

It’s commonly arranged as:

• A standalone goods-in-transit policy tailored for jewellery, or

• An extension within a Jewellers Block policy (a combined policy that can include stock, money, transit, exhibitions, and more)

Who needs it?

You should consider jewellery transport insurance if you:

• Carry stock between locations (even occasionally)

• Attend trade fairs, exhibitions, or pop-up events

• Offer home delivery or click-and-collect transfers

• Use couriers for B2B shipments

• Move stones/metals to and from setters, polishers, engravers, or assay offices

• Transport customer items for repair, resizing, or valuation

Even a small independent jeweller can be exposed. One “quick run” to a supplier with a bag of stock can represent months of profit.

Why standard cover is often not enough

Many businesses assume they’re covered because they have one of the following:

1) Courier liability

Most couriers operate under limited liability terms (often weight-based or capped). That might be fine for low-value parcels, but it’s rarely adequate for jewellery.

2) Standard goods-in-transit

Generic goods-in-transit policies may:

• Exclude jewellery, watches, precious stones, or precious metals

• Impose low single-item limits

• Require security measures you’re not currently meeting

• Exclude unattended vehicles entirely

3) Business contents/stock insurance

Stock insurance at your premises typically does not automatically cover transit. Transit needs to be specifically insured.

What does jewellery transport insurance typically cover?

Cover varies by insurer and policy wording, but commonly includes:

Loss or theft in transit

• Theft from the vehicle

• Robbery or hold-up

• Theft during loading/unloading

• Theft from a courier (subject to approved carriers and conditions)

Accidental damage

• Dropping items during handling

• Damage due to collision/impact

• Water damage (e.g., from weather exposure during loading)

Fire and vehicle incidents

• Fire

• Road traffic accidents

• Vehicle overturning

Worldwide or UK-only transit

Some policies can be arranged for:

• UK-only movements

• Europe

• Worldwide (often with strict conditions and approved carriers)

Key cover features to look for

When comparing options, focus on the details that matter for high-value goods:

Sum insured and per-carry limit

Insurers may apply:

• A maximum value per consignment

• A maximum value per vehicle

• A maximum value per person carrying

If you regularly move multiple pieces, make sure the policy matches your real-world exposure.

Single article limits

Jewellery often includes high-value single items (e.g., a diamond ring, luxury watch, bespoke necklace). If your single item limit is too low, you can be underinsured even if the overall limit looks fine.

All risks vs named perils

“All risks” cover is broader, but still subject to conditions and exclusions. Named perils can be cheaper but may leave gaps.

Cover for customer goods

If you transport customer jewellery for repair or valuation, you may need cover for goods held in trust or customer property.

Transit by post/courier

If you ship items, check:

• Which carriers are approved

• Whether Special Delivery is required

• Packaging and tracking requirements

• Maximum value per package

Exhibition and trade show cover

If you attend events, you may need cover that extends to:

• Transit to/from the event

• Temporary storage at the venue

• Display risks

Common security requirements (and why they matter)

Jewellery transit insurance is heavily driven by security controls. Insurers aren’t trying to make life difficult—they’re pricing for a high-theft category.

Typical requirements can include:

Unattended vehicle restrictions

Many policies exclude theft from an unattended vehicle unless strict rules are followed, such as:

• Vehicle locked and alarmed

• Stock out of sight (in a locked boot or secured compartment)

• No overnight storage in vehicles

• Forced and violent entry evidence

Vehicle security standards

Depending on values:

• Thatcham-approved alarms/immobilisers

• Tracking devices

• Deadlocks

• Secure load areas

Two-person rule

For higher values, insurers may require:

• Two people in the vehicle

• No lone carrying above certain thresholds

Route planning and discretion

Insurers may expect:

• No predictable routines

• No unnecessary stops

• Discreet packaging and behaviour

Secure storage during stops

If you must stop, requirements may include:

• Using secure, monitored locations

• Never leaving stock in the vehicle

Typical exclusions and pitfalls

This is where many claims fall down. Common issues include:

Unattended vehicle theft exclusions

If you leave jewellery in a vehicle “for just five minutes” and it’s stolen, the insurer may decline if the policy excludes unattended theft.

Dishonesty by employees

Some policies exclude theft by employees unless you have a fidelity guarantee or employee dishonesty extension.

Mysterious disappearance

If you can’t explain how an item went missing (no evidence of theft, no incident), cover may be limited.

Inadequate packaging or non-approved carriers

If you ship using an unapproved courier or fail to follow packaging/tracking rules, claims can be rejected.

Underinsurance

If your declared values are too low, insurers can apply average (proportionate settlement). High-value goods require accurate valuations.

How insurers assess risk (what affects the premium)

Premiums and terms are influenced by:

• Maximum value in transit at any one time

• Frequency of movements

• Locations and routes (high-risk areas)

• Vehicle type and security

• Who transports the goods (employees vs specialist carriers)

• Claims history

• Storage arrangements at destinations

• Packaging and dispatch procedures

A key point: insurers often price based on your maximum exposure, not your average day.

Best practices to reduce risk (and improve insurability)

If you want better terms, focus on controls you can evidence:

1) Create a written transport procedure

Document:

• Who can carry stock

• Maximum values per trip

• Approved routes and stop rules

• Handover and sign-off steps

2) Use a chain-of-custody approach

• Log items leaving premises

• Record serial numbers/photographs

• Require signatures at handover

• Keep timestamps and tracking details

3) Separate consignments

Instead of moving everything in one trip, consider:

• Splitting high-value items across trips

• Using different vehicles or carriers

4) Upgrade vehicle security

• Alarm and immobiliser

• Secure load compartment

• Tracking for higher values

5) Train staff

Make sure staff understand:

• The unattended vehicle rules

• What counts as “in transit”

• What to do in an incident

What to do if there’s a loss (claims tips)

If something happens, speed and evidence matter:

• Report theft to police immediately and obtain a crime reference number

• Notify your insurer/broker as soon as possible

• Preserve evidence (photos of vehicle entry, broken locks, CCTV requests)

• Provide stock records, valuations, invoices, and transport logs

• Document the timeline: where you were, when you stopped, who had custody

The more you can show that you followed the policy conditions, the smoother the claim.

Do you need separate cover for cash, bullion, or stones?

Often, yes. Jewellery businesses may also transport:

• Cash takings

• Bullion/precious metals

• Loose stones

These can be treated differently under policy wordings, with separate limits and conditions. If you move any of these, disclose it clearly and confirm the cover applies.

How to choose the right jewellery transport insurance

A quick checklist:

• Confirm jewellery, watches, stones, and metals are included (not excluded)

• Set realistic maximum values per trip, per vehicle, and per item

• Check unattended vehicle rules and whether they match your operations

• Confirm approved carriers and shipping methods

• Ensure cover extends to exhibitions if needed

• Make sure customer goods are included if you carry them

• Ask about employee dishonesty/fidelity options

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is jewellery covered under standard goods-in-transit insurance?

Sometimes, but often with exclusions or low limits. Jewellery usually needs specialist terms.

Can I insure jewellery sent by courier?

Yes, but insurers typically require approved carriers, tracking, and strict packaging rules.

Is theft from an unattended vehicle covered?

It depends on the policy. Many exclude it entirely or only cover it if strict security conditions are met.

Do I need cover if I only transport jewellery occasionally?

Occasional transport can still involve high values. A single trip can create a major loss.

What value should I insure?

Insure for your maximum realistic exposure in transit, not your average day.

Final thoughts

Jewellery transport is one of the highest-risk parts of the jewellery trade. The right insurance can protect your cashflow and reputation—but only if it’s structured around how you actually move goods.

If you want a policy that responds, focus on three things: accurate values, clear security procedures, and wording that matches your transport methods (own vehicles, couriers, exhibitions, and customer goods).

If you’d like, share how you currently transport jewellery (own vehicle vs courier, typical values, and frequency) and I can suggest the key cover features and wording points to request from insurers.