William Cooper

Written by

William Cooper

Reviewed by Matthew Ashton

5 minute read

Updated 12th December 2024

Important Disclosure: The content provided does not consider your particular circumstances and does not constitute personal advice, please check with your policy or insurer for accurate terms and conditions.

There’s a lot to do when planning a winter holiday, from booking the ski resort to deciding what to take with you. But have you considered whether your high-value jewellery, luxury watch, or even your off-piste ski insurance will cover you both on and off piste?

Without the right insurance for your valuables, a loss or theft could turn your dream holiday into a nightmare. Therefore, finding out whether your high-value jewellery is protected on holiday should be at the top of your pre-holiday checklist.

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about off-piste insurance for your valuables.

Can I wear my watch when skiing?

You may wonder, can I wear my watch when skiing? The answer typically depends on the type of watch you own and your insurance coverage. Many luxury watches are designed to be durable. However, skiing typically involves low temperatures, high-altitude conditions, moisture and physical impact. Some waterproof models can handle the moisture from the snow; if your watch is suitable for diving, it should withstand such conditions. However, it may not be able to operate in low temperatures and handle high impact. Leaving your watch in the hotel main safe or even at home whilst you hit the slopes is the safest option.

Is my watch covered if I take it skiing?

Many standard home insurance policies don’t cover valuables if they’re lost, stolen or damaged on the slopes. If you want to take your watch, consider adding a standalone high-value watch insurance policy that includes worldwide cover.

Standalone high-value jewellery and watch insurance often provides specialised protection and worldwide coverage. So, if your precious timepiece is lost or stolen while on the slopes, you may get a like-for-like replacement or cash settlement. Review your policy carefully so you know exactly what activities you’re covered for.

I lost my earrings on the slopes – are they covered?

Many high-value jewellery insurance policies may cover accidental loss on or off-piste at a ski resort. However, check your specific policy for what is included in the coverage and ensure your earrings are covered during activities such as skiing.

What if I lose one part of the set?

If you discover that you’ve lost just one earring, don’t worry. Some policies may cover and replace the full set.

What happens if I lose my bag with my items in it?

You might be enjoying some après-ski drinks and accidentally forget to take your bag with you, or a passing opportunist might grab it when you’re not looking. Alternatively, you might be busy enjoying some sightseeing in the town and not notice that you’ve dropped your bag.

High-value home insurance policies can protect your valuable items, even away from home, up to a certain number of items. Check your policy for coverage limits before you travel, as this can affect what you can claim for. If you take valuable items with you on your winter holiday, check that they are listed individually on the policy.

What happens if my travel documents are lost or stolen – do I have cover?

High-value home insurance may cover expenses associated with replacing these documents in certain situations. For example, if your passport is damaged, lost or stolen during your journey, the policy may cover additional transport costs and accommodation incurred to replace it.

However, this coverage only relates to lost or stolen passports and does not extend to other related issues that could disrupt your holiday.

What if I am the victim of identity theft abroad – can I claim for this?

If you’ve been the victim of identity theft during your winter holiday, you can potentially claim on your high-value home insurance. However, this may only cover legal costs. High-value home insurance can cover legal fees incurred while protecting your legal rights if your personal information is used for fraudulent activities by another party.

For instance, if someone stole your information while abroad and used it to commit fraud or other crimes, your insurance may cover the costs of taking legal action to restore your rights. However, this cover does not extend to any direct financial losses you face or the cost of recovering goods, services or money taken out fraudulently in your name.

Will my insurance cover unforeseen circumstances that extend a ski trip?

Unforeseen events such as flight cancellations or extreme weather can unexpectedly extend your ski trip. Depending on the circumstances, many high-value home insurance policies can cover certain costs associated with this. If there has been an avalanche at your ski resort and you cannot leave, some policies may cover the costs of additional accommodation and travel related to this delay. This type of cover typically applies to natural events that directly disrupt travel plans and will be subject to policy terms and conditions.

However, some policies may also provide coverage if you are unable to stay in your pre-booked accommodation due to damage outlined in the policy, such as severe structural issues, a fire or a flood. Again, the policy may cover the expense of finding alternative accommodation.

Proposing abroad on a winter holiday

A winter holiday abroad can provide the perfect romantic setting for a proposal. However, if you’re bringing the engagement ring to pop the question, ensure that it’s sufficiently insured before you leave. A specific engagement ring insurance policy or travel insurance off-piste cover ensures that you can propose without worry.

Tips for protecting your valuables on a winter holiday

If you will be taking valuables with you on a winter holiday, take some precautions to ensure that they’re protected, whether you are on or off-piste.

Secure storage

Storing your valuables securely is even more important while you’re away on holiday. While your hotel room may have its own safe, this doesn’t necessarily offer the best protection. Speak to the hotel reception about keeping your items in the main hotel safe, as this will likely be more secure and may be the only place where your valuables will be fully covered.

Safe transportation

Getting your jewellery safely to your holiday destination is essential. Therefore, ensure it’s either on your person or in sight at all times. Should something happen, high-value home insurance may cover loss or theft while you travel. Check your high-value home insurance policy thoroughly before you travel.

Knowing your floating limit

A floating limit is the maximum value of items you’re covered for outside of your home. Many people unknowingly exceed this limit while on holiday. To avoid the risk of not being adequately covered, know your floating limit and store your high-value items in a secure location in the hotel when not in use, such as the main hotel safe, rather than your hotel room safe.

For more tips, check out our guide to taking care of valuable jewellery.

Differences between a stand-alone jewellery policy and a high-value home policy

When planning your winter holiday, understand the differences between a stand-alone jewellery insurance policy and a high-value home insurance policy so that you have the right type of coverage. Jewellery insurance is designed for specific pieces and provides higher coverage limits. High-value home insurance also covers jewellery along with a broader range of items and can have lower limits for certain items.

At Stanhope, we can help you find the right policy for your needs, especially if you’re a frequent traveller. Whether you’re looking for comprehensive coverage for your jewellery or a home insurance policy, our friendly team of experts are on hand to help. Get in touch with us today for a personalised quote and ensure that your valuables are protected.

Get a quote now

Your name(Required)
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Brilliant customer service, so helpful and managed to do everything I asked for at a competitive price

5 Star Review ReviewsIO

Sources

https://blog.crownandcaliber.com/can-i-wear-my-watch-while-skiing

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/ski-travel-insurance-4-dos-and-4-donts-aoC0u5V55IxX

https://www.chubb.com/sg-en/articles/personal/tips-for-travelling-with-fine-jewellery-and-watches.html

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13T-1jykK_5CWlEweYLcLlHTihCVNh6Aq/view

Written by William Cooper

I started insurance broking in 2009. I followed my great-grandfather, grandfather, and father into the world of insurance. In 2019, I decided I wanted to do things differently. I formed Stanhope in 2019 with Matthew Ashton and Rachel Living. We want to shake up the industry! Let's make insurance cool and useful for our customers. Let's improve the customer journey and get them to trust us as their insurance company. Let's pay claims quickly; let's be excellent and honest in all that we do!

William Cooper

More blog posts