shape
carat
color
clarity

Issues with insurance

liaerfbv

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
1,362
Long time reader, but I finally felt the need to post because my poor husband can't take my venting anymore!

Sadly, I lost my engagement ring in September of this year. We had insurance on my ring with Jeweler's Mutual, which I had always heard such great things about. I had an issue with a side stone falling out last year, and it was replaced with no hassle through my local jeweler, so I felt like I was in "good hands" so to speak.

Once I filed my claim, my initial contact with my claim agent was great. She responded to my emails promptly, answered all of my silly questions, etc., and was generally just really pleasant. I chose a vendor to work with and everything was fine. Through no fault of my own, I was unable to get a replacement ring through vendor #1, so I chose a different vendor. That's where my issues with JM started. My agent literally overnight just stopped responding to my emails. It took her 2 WEEKS to send payment to my vendor... AFTER the purchase had already been approved by her. I sent many emails and phone calls (most of which she didn't respond to). At one point, I asked if there were any issues because I was starting to get really upset, and lo and behold, the payment went through the next day.

Of course, when my ring arrived... I hated it. (Did I mention my poor husband????)
I was so fed up with JM at that point that I literally contemplated keeping it because I couldn't bear the thought of returning it and starting over again. I ended up returning the ring, but when I called her to let her know that I wanted to return the ring, I got a LOT of subtle attitude from her and she was super short with me. Since then, she's literally been MIA. I've sent her several emails, left her voicemails, with absolutely no response. I know it's the holidays and everyone is busy, but this is just ridiculous. I'm trying to work on my replacement ring, and I've asked her three times to send paperwork to my jeweler, and she's ignored me every time. I don't want to be a pain, but I'm close to calling JM and asking for a new claim agent.

Has anyone had an issue like this before? I know that they are a big insurance company but I'm really fed up. Do I have unrealistic expectations? I've never had to replace jewelry with insurance before so I'm wondering if I'm the exception here.
 
I would definitely complain and ask for someone else to deal with. In the future, though, I would be really careful about what kind of claims you make. Was the side stone expensive to replace? I might have done it out of pocket if it wasn't too expensive. Insurance companies don't like multiple claims, so I try and keep it to loss and major damage. But still no excuse for the claim agent to be a PITA.
 
That is too bad she has been difficult to deal with. I would ask for another agent. Since the jeweler already has the money can't they just exchange your ring for something else and not have to involve JM again?
 
ponder|1355792419|3333911 said:
I would definitely complain and ask for someone else to deal with. In the future, though, I would be really careful about what kind of claims you make. Was the side stone expensive to replace? I might have done it out of pocket if it wasn't too expensive. Insurance companies don't like multiple claims, so I try and keep it to loss and major damage. But still no excuse for the claim agent to be a PITA.

No, it was a really small side stone on the band, but I never thought about it being an issue. I didn't even need an agent, I just filled out some paperwork and they worked directly with my jeweler. I am hoping I never have another insurance issue ever again, that's for sure!
 
What's up with JM lately? Two acquaintances of mine (one to whom I recommended JM) are having problems getting satisfactory replacements for their rings. One of the rings is pretty significant in terms of size and cut quality (and the premium $), and JM is not being cooperative as far as replacing it with a like stone. This is rather disturbing to think they are not acting reliably.
 
mrs jam|1355802310|3334024 said:
What's up with JM lately? Two acquaintances of mine (one to whom I recommended JM) are having problems getting satisfactory replacements for their rings. One of the rings is pretty significant in terms of size and cut quality (and the premium $), and JM is not being cooperative as far as replacing it with a like stone. This is rather disturbing to think they are not acting reliably.

I'm wondering if the quality of service has gone down since Chubb has exited the standalone jewelry policy market because now JM is basically the only game in town (that I'm aware of, anyway) and so they don't have to compete with anyone. That's a depressing thought, especially since my ring is insured with JM. I'm going to be making sure my next appraisal is totally detailed.
 
distracts|1355803891|3334041 said:
mrs jam|1355802310|3334024 said:
What's up with JM lately? Two acquaintances of mine (one to whom I recommended JM) are having problems getting satisfactory replacements for their rings. One of the rings is pretty significant in terms of size and cut quality (and the premium $), and JM is not being cooperative as far as replacing it with a like stone. This is rather disturbing to think they are not acting reliably.

I'm wondering if the quality of service has gone down since Chubb has exited the standalone jewelry policy market because now JM is basically the only game in town (that I'm aware of, anyway) and so they don't have to compete with anyone. That's a depressing thought, especially since my ring is insured with JM. I'm going to be making sure my next appraisal is totally detailed.


My appraisal was also extremely detailed -- the issue is that I have a "replacement" policy. I didn't really know the difference when I was getting insurance quotes (which was my own ignorance). So everything has to go through them, approval for replacement, timing of payment, all returns/exchanges, etc. When I get my new ring (whenever that may be.... :angryfire:) I'm going to look for a policy that is just straight-up cash value so I can buy whatever I want. Of course, this new ring will NEVER be taken off my finger, so hopefully I never have to make a claim again!!
 
mrs jam|1355802310|3334024 said:
What's up with JM lately? Two acquaintances of mine (one to whom I recommended JM) are having problems getting satisfactory replacements for their rings. One of the rings is pretty significant in terms of size and cut quality (and the premium $), and JM is not being cooperative as far as replacing it with a like stone. This is rather disturbing to think they are not acting reliably.


I agree with you! Since I've been going through this process (since October!), I've had a few friends/acquaintances come to light that also had issues with JM. They will NEVER get my business again after this debacle, that's for sure.
 
liaerfbv|1355839208|3334289 said:
distracts|1355803891|3334041 said:
mrs jam|1355802310|3334024 said:
What's up with JM lately? Two acquaintances of mine (one to whom I recommended JM) are having problems getting satisfactory replacements for their rings. One of the rings is pretty significant in terms of size and cut quality (and the premium $), and JM is not being cooperative as far as replacing it with a like stone. This is rather disturbing to think they are not acting reliably.

I'm wondering if the quality of service has gone down since Chubb has exited the standalone jewelry policy market because now JM is basically the only game in town (that I'm aware of, anyway) and so they don't have to compete with anyone. That's a depressing thought, especially since my ring is insured with JM. I'm going to be making sure my next appraisal is totally detailed.


My appraisal was also extremely detailed -- the issue is that I have a "replacement" policy. I didn't really know the difference when I was getting insurance quotes (which was my own ignorance). So everything has to go through them, approval for replacement, timing of payment, all returns/exchanges, etc. When I get my new ring (whenever that may be.... :angryfire:) I'm going to look for a policy that is just straight-up cash value so I can buy whatever I want. Of course, this new ring will NEVER be taken off my finger, so hopefully I never have to make a claim again!!

Well, good luck with that, and if you find one please post because many PSers would be very interested in a cash value insurance plan.
 
distracts|1355846353|3334626 said:
liaerfbv|1355839208|3334289 said:
distracts|1355803891|3334041 said:
mrs jam|1355802310|3334024 said:
What's up with JM lately? Two acquaintances of mine (one to whom I recommended JM) are having problems getting satisfactory replacements for their rings. One of the rings is pretty significant in terms of size and cut quality (and the premium $), and JM is not being cooperative as far as replacing it with a like stone. This is rather disturbing to think they are not acting reliably.

I'm wondering if the quality of service has gone down since Chubb has exited the standalone jewelry policy market because now JM is basically the only game in town (that I'm aware of, anyway) and so they don't have to compete with anyone. That's a depressing thought, especially since my ring is insured with JM. I'm going to be making sure my next appraisal is totally detailed.


My appraisal was also extremely detailed -- the issue is that I have a "replacement" policy. I didn't really know the difference when I was getting insurance quotes (which was my own ignorance). So everything has to go through them, approval for replacement, timing of payment, all returns/exchanges, etc. When I get my new ring (whenever that may be.... :angryfire:) I'm going to look for a policy that is just straight-up cash value so I can buy whatever I want. Of course, this new ring will NEVER be taken off my finger, so hopefully I never have to make a claim again!!

Well, good luck with that, and if you find one please post because many PSers would be very interested in a cash value insurance plan.

Sorry you're dealing with this. I'd like to know who to insure with, as well. When I lost my earrings, my insur co wouldn't replace them so I since have no policies on anything!
 
Sorry to hear about your issues with JM.
I am not surprised however. Just the other day someone in the trade locally mentioned issues with them.
Six months ago they were awesome, quick payment, fast answers and approvals then POOF all sorts of issues.
I about posted on here to see if other vendors were having issues but didn't think it would be appropriate.
 
This is disheartening news. I just bought a new ring earlier today, and was thinking of going with JM rather than adding it to our home policy.
 
Since I'm about to be a new ring owner in a few days, I guess I should ask what the advantage is of using JM vs. my homeowner's insurance. And if JM is the best jewelry specific insurer around, and they are starting to stink, who would be second in line?...
 
distracts|1355846353|3334626 said:
liaerfbv|1355839208|3334289 said:
distracts|1355803891|3334041 said:
mrs jam|1355802310|3334024 said:
What's up with JM lately? Two acquaintances of mine (one to whom I recommended JM) are having problems getting satisfactory replacements for their rings. One of the rings is pretty significant in terms of size and cut quality (and the premium $), and JM is not being cooperative as far as replacing it with a like stone. This is rather disturbing to think they are not acting reliably.

I'm wondering if the quality of service has gone down since Chubb has exited the standalone jewelry policy market because now JM is basically the only game in town (that I'm aware of, anyway) and so they don't have to compete with anyone. That's a depressing thought, especially since my ring is insured with JM. I'm going to be making sure my next appraisal is totally detailed.


My appraisal was also extremely detailed -- the issue is that I have a "replacement" policy. I didn't really know the difference when I was getting insurance quotes (which was my own ignorance). So everything has to go through them, approval for replacement, timing of payment, all returns/exchanges, etc. When I get my new ring (whenever that may be.... :angryfire:) I'm going to look for a policy that is just straight-up cash value so I can buy whatever I want. Of course, this new ring will NEVER be taken off my finger, so hopefully I never have to make a claim again!!

Well, good luck with that, and if you find one please post because many PSers would be very interested in a cash value insurance plan.

My Statefarm policy is cash payout.
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Top