Hold onto your bling in Birmingham

• Birmingham tops the list for lost and stolen jewellery claims
• Chelmsford, Essex and Stockport, Manchester complete the top three
• Nearly a third of jewellery claims are underinsured

The streets of Birmingham may well be paved with gold according to new claims data released by Churchill Home Insurance¹ and LMG Jewellery.

The latest figures show that more claims for lost and stolen jewellery were reported in Birmingham last year than anywhere else in the UK. In fact, the value of these claims, which are also the highest in UK, amount to 3.3 per cent of all UK claims.

Birmingham's famous Jewellery Quarter is home to Europe's largest concentration of jewellery businesses and also responsible for producing 40 per cent of the jewellery in the UK².

Chelmsford in Essex and Stockport in Greater Manchester complete the top three for jewellery claims by value, while Edinburgh and Glasgow complete the top three for claims by volume.

Martin Scott, head of Churchill Home Insurance, stated: "There are myriad of factors that result in one area seeing higher or more frequent jewellery claims than others, such as differences in local cultures, crime levels and wealth. The impact of having these items stolen or losing them however is felt universally, which is why comprehensive insurance is so important.

"Jewellery items are often high in both sentimental and monetary value, so it's vital that people take care of these precious items. People often underestimate the value of jewellery, and this issue is exasperated by fluctuations in gold and other precious metal prices, so we'd urge people to have these items regularly valued."

Areas with the highest value of jewellery claims (lost or stolen)

1. Birmingham
2. Chelmsford
3. Stockport
4. Leicester
5. Manchester
6. Harrow
7. Edinburgh
8. Romford
9. Southend on Sea
10. Glasgow

Areas with the highest volumes of jewellery claims (lost or stolen)

1. Birmingham
2. Edinburgh
3. Glasgow
4. Chelmsford
5. Guildford
6. Leicester
7. Nottingham
8. Reading
9. Coventry
10. Sheffield

According to Churchill's data, almost one in three (30 per cent) jewellery claims are underinsured often by up to three or four times the value that the claimant originally thought the item was worth.

Scott continues, "Around 60 per cent of all jewellery claims have no proof of purchase as they were gifts or passed down through inheritance. This is why obtaining a current valuation is paramount. Jewellers should also able to check the general condition of an item, ensuring precious stones aren't loose and mounted correctly."

Tips for keeping your jewellery safe

• Have valuable jewellery items valued by a reputable jeweller every one - two years and keep the receipts or certificates for the valuation
• Be sure to inform your insurer about items of high value in case these are not covered by the single item limit
• Do not keep valuables on show - avoid leaving these items on windowsills for example
• Take photos of your jewellery as this may help simplify the process, should you need to make a claim
• If possible, keep valuable jewellery in a safe or lockable cabinet. 'Safe' places like under the bed or in a draw will be the first place a burglar looks and a locked safe might be a requirement of your insurance policy
• If you have precious heirlooms or items of great sentimental value, consider using a bank or safety deposit box
• Burglars can spot a fake alarm, so invest in a real one. If you can, it is also advisable to double lock your front door as this is a simple yet effective way of deterring burglars

Churchill Home Insurance's most claimed for jewellery items

1. Ring
2. Watch
3. Earrings
4. Necklace/Chain
5. Bracelet
6. Pendant
7. Jewellery
8. Collectable
9. Bangle
10. Brooch

• ¹ Claims data based on all claims fulfilled by LMG Jewellery - lost or stolen January to December 2014 https://www.lmgjewellery.co.uk/
• ² https://jewelleryquarter.net/fact/40-of-jewellery-made-in-the-uk/

Kia McLean
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel: 0207 282 1092
Email: Kia.McLean@citigatedr.co.uk

Claire Foster
Churchill PR Manager
Tel: 0165 183 1672
Mob: 07900 217 264
Email: claire.foster@directlinegroup.co.uk

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK’s leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200300 or visiting www.churchill.com