These prized items may not be fully protected under a standard insurance policy, which is why scheduling them separately can be a smart move.

What Does a Standard Homeowners Policy Cover?

Most homeowners’ insurance policies offer coverage in these five main areas:

• The dwelling – your home’s structure
• Other structures – garages, sheds, mailboxes, etc.
• Personal property – belongings inside your home
• Personal liability & medical payments – in case someone is injured on your property
• Loss of use – helps with living expenses if your home is uninhabitable due to a covered event

While personal property is included, there’s a catch: special limits or sub-limits may cap the amount reimbursed for specific high-value categories. For instance, if your policy only covers $2,000 worth of jewelry but a $5,000 wedding ring is stolen, you’d be left footing the rest of the bill.

What Are Scheduled Items?

Scheduled items, or scheduled personal property, refer to individually listed valuables that you add to your policy with a dedicated endorsement or rider. This optional coverage ensures that if these items are lost, stolen, or damaged, you’re reimbursed for their full appraised value—often without a deductible.

Some examples of items commonly scheduled include:

• Artwork or sculptures
• Jewelry and watches
• Firearms
• Antiques and heirlooms
• Musical instruments
• High-end camera or computer equipment
• Rare collections (stamps, coins, comic books, etc.)
• Expensive China, silverware, or furs
• Watercraft like jet skis or small boats

Why Schedule Items?

Here’s why scheduling makes sense:

• Full-value protection beyond policy sub-limits
• Broader coverage (including accidental loss or breakage)
• Often comes with no deductible
• Peace of mind knowing your irreplaceable items are insured properly

To schedule an item, most insurance companies will require an appraisal that’s five years old or newer. The cost? Surprisingly affordable—often under $10 per year per item, depending on value.

Final Thoughts

Standard homeowners’ insurance offers solid coverage for most things—but when it comes to your most cherished belongings, it pays to be proactive. Scheduling ensures you’re not left underinsured if disaster strikes.

Got questions about your coverage or wondering if your policy is sufficient? Reach out to us. We can walk you through your options, update appraisals, and tailor your policy to meet your needs.

In insurance, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Insurance products are not FDIC insured, not a deposit and may lose value.