Deep down, we all know that every minute is precious, yet we often find it difficult to attach a real value to time. On the other hand, we usually have a pretty good idea of exactly how much our watches are worth. It can be a small fortune, especially with luxury timepieces.
Unfortunately, exclusive watches quickly lose their value if they are dropped or damaged by water or other forces. Repairs are often expensive – with complicated mechanisms or special materials, the cost can easily rise to hundreds or even thousands of francs. What is more, particularly beautiful watches frequently attract interest from thieves.
For that reason, it is worth taking out suitable watch insurance to cover the costs incurred in the event of damage or loss.
As many watches have more than just a financial value, damage or theft often causes emotional pain, too – especially if the watch is an heirloom or has some other special significance. Although watch insurance cannot make up for the emotional effect of the loss, at least the indemnity you receive will enable you to buy a worthy replacement and thus ease your burden until the emotional wounds have healed.
In principle, your watch is part of your household contents. It is therefore covered by your household contents insurance against fire or water damage and theft at home.
However, with household contents insurance, the cover is often insufficient for expensive luxury watches from brands such as Rolex, Breitling or Audemars Piguet. Also, the sum insured for «simple theft outside the home» is usually too low to replace a valuable watch that is stolen while you are out and about. Another particularly important consideration for lovers of special watches is that conventional household contents insurance does not cover damage that you cause yourself. If you drop or lose your watch, for example, you may end up having to pay high costs entirely from your own pocket.
Single-item and valuables insurance can help here. This insurance covers the exact value of your watch or watch collection – not only against the usual household contents risks but also against damage you cause yourself and even, if desired, against loss or disappearance. Temporary worldwide cover is possible, too. As a result, you will enjoy optimal protection against the financial consequences of theft and loss of your Rolex or other luxury watch at home, when out and about and even on holiday.
This makes a single-item policy the ideal form of insurance for your watch.
The cost of watch insurance depends on various factors. One of the most important is the watch's value as new: as a rule, the higher the value of your timepiece, the higher the monthly premium.
Another factor is the number of watches insured. If you want to insure a complete watch collection, the costs will be higher than for a single watch.
Last but not least, the monthly premium for your watch insurance also depends on the cover provided. If, for example, you would also like cover against loss or misplacement, a higher premium will apply.