Services covered by the fee
A policyholder’s expert on a jewellery claim reviews the policy, checks whether items were specified and whether limits or security conditions apply, reconstructs the specification of each piece from certificates and photographs, compares the insurer’s replacement proposal with the original and negotiates a fair cash or replacement settlement.
Jewellery claims involve fewer items than a house fire, but each item can be technically demanding. Identifying a stone’s grade from old photographs, establishing the maker of a signed piece or arguing the value of a vintage watch takes specialist knowledge.
- Policy review: specified items, limits, territorial and security conditions
- Reconstruction of specifications from documents and images
- Commissioning valuations or gemmological opinions where needed
- Assessment of replacement offers from insurer networks
- Negotiation of cash settlement or replacement quality
- Follow-up until the item is replaced or payment received
Indicative bands for jewellery claim fees
No official scale exists for policyholder’s experts on jewellery claims in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia or Ireland. The table shows an indicative order of magnitude observed on the market, expressed in US dollars or equivalent local currency units, and is not a legal or regulated tariff.
Percentages decrease as the value grows. Very high-value losses, such as a collection of signed pieces or important stones, are normally priced on an individual basis.
| Settled claim value | Indicative fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10,000 | 12 % to 20 % or fixed fee | Minimum fee often exceeds the percentage |
| 10,001 to 25,000 | 10 % to 15 % | Single items or small groups |
| 25,001 to 50,000 | 8 % to 12 % | Specification disputes common |
| 50,001 to 100,000 | 7 % to 10 % | Valuation reports often needed |
| 100,001 to 250,000 | 5 % to 8 % | Multiple specified items |
| 250,001 to 500,000 | 4 % to 6 % | Collections, signed pieces |
| 500,001 to 1,000,000 | 3 % to 5 % | Cap or sliding scale advisable |
| Over 1,000,000 | 1.5 % to 3 % | Individually negotiated |
Indicative amounts, to be checked with each expert.
How charges are structured
Because jewellery claims are often a single item or a handful of pieces, fixed and hourly pricing is more common here than in large property claims.
Percentages and success-based fees
A percentage of the settlement is the standard approach for public adjusters and loss assessors. A variant is a fee calculated only on the extra amount obtained above the insurer’s first offer, for example when the insurer offers a cash sum at trade price and the expert negotiates it upwards. Make sure the starting figure is documented.
In the United States, public adjusters are licensed and regulated by the states, and some states cap their fees, Florida and Texas among them. Check the applicable rules where the risk is located.
Valuers, gemmologists and fixed fees
Insurance valuations and gemmological opinions are usually charged per item, per hour or as a fixed fee, rather than as a percentage of value. Reputable valuers generally avoid percentage-of-value pricing for valuations because it can be seen as a conflict of interest. Grading reports from laboratories have their own price lists.
Ask about minimum fees, travel, courier and insurance costs if items must be sent for examination, and whether VAT, GST or HST is included.
Insurance cover for expert fees
Some high-value home policies include cover for valuation fees or claims preparation costs, and a few reimburse a policyholder’s expert up to a limit. Standard home contents policies often exclude these costs. The fees of jewellers or valuers instructed by the insurer are normally borne by the insurer.
Read the clause carefully: it may be capped, require prior approval, or only cover the cost of producing documentation. Any amount above the cap stays with you.
Worked examples by claim size
Small claim: a lost pendant settled at 3,500. A percentage fee of 15 % would be 525, while a minimum fee might be higher. Handling the claim directly, with a valuer’s fixed-fee report if needed, often makes more sense.
Medium claim: a stolen engagement ring and earrings settled at 40,000. At 9 %, the fee is around 3,600 plus any tax. Value is added by contesting a low trade-price cash offer and proving the stone grades.
Large claim: theft of a watch and jewellery collection settled at 600,000. At 4 %, the fee is around 24,000. A cap or sliding scale is worth negotiating. These examples are indicative only.
Factors that move the price
Several features of a jewellery claim influence the fee more than the headline value. The number of items, the quality of existing certificates, the need to reconstruct a specification from photographs, whether the loss happened abroad and how firmly the insurer defends its replacement network all affect the hours involved.
A recent valuation and laboratory reports for the main stones can shorten the work considerably, and some experts reduce their rate when the file is well prepared. Conversely, a disputed theft with questions over security conditions requires more investigation and negotiation, and a firm may quote a higher percentage or a higher minimum to reflect that risk.
- Number and diversity of items
- Existence of grading reports and recent valuations
- Disputes over cover, not only value
- Need for overseas evidence or foreign police reports
Comparing proposals sensibly
Compare experience with jewellery claims, knowledge of replacement networks and access to independent gemmologists. A clear engagement letter states the fee basis, rate, minimum, extras, payment timing and cancellation terms.
Avoid experts who guarantee a result or a specific cash amount. A credible professional explains the strengths and weaknesses of the claim, the evidence needed and the likely negotiation points, but the outcome depends on the policy and the insurer.
- Ask whether the fee applies to the full settlement or to the uplift
- Separate the cost of valuations from the claims expert’s fee
- Check cancellation rights before signing
- Request references for similar claims
Organisations offering this service
- Alexis Bordes – Fine Art Expertise Office: Fine art appraisal office offering valuations and expert opinions on old master paintings and drawings for collectors, estates and private owners.
- Union Française des Experts (UFE): French professional union bringing together experts specialised in works of art, antiques and collectibles, available to private owners and professionals.
- Compagnie d'Expertise en Antiquités et Objets d'Art (CEA): French company of experts in antiques and works of art that publishes an annual activity report and gathers specialists across artistic disciplines.
- Chambre Nationale des Experts Spécialisés (CNE): French chamber of experts in art and collectibles that publishes a regular journal devoted to appraisal and the expert-dealer profession.
External links provided for information only; check the terms directly with each organisation.
Frequently asked questions
Why do valuers not charge a percentage of value?
Many professional valuers prefer fixed or time-based fees to avoid any suggestion that a higher valuation earns a higher fee. Practice varies, so ask before instructing.
Is a claims expert worth it for a single ring?
On a modest claim, often not. On a high-value ring, or where the insurer disputes the grade or offers a low cash settlement, expert support can be worthwhile.
Does my insurer pay for the jeweller’s report it asks for?
If the insurer instructs the jeweller or valuer, it normally pays. If you commission a report yourself, reimbursement depends on the policy.
On jewellery claims, separating valuation costs from negotiation fees helps you judge each proposal fairly. expertdassure.com recommends getting written terms before appointing any expert.