What is Jewellers Block Insurance?
Jewellers Block insurance is the gold standard of protection for businesses in the jewellery trade. Unlike standard commercial or household policies, it is a specialist “all-risks” policy designed exclusively to cover the unique and high-value risks faced by jewellers, wholesalers, manufacturers, pawnbrokers and designers.
First developed in the early 20th century by Lloyd’s of London underwriters who specialised in the jewellery market, Jewellers Block remains the most comprehensive and flexible way to insure stock, premises, tools and liabilities in one single policy.
Why Standard Policies Fall Short
Ordinary commercial combined or shop insurance policies are not built for the jewellery industry. They often include restrictive clauses such as:
- Night-time removal requirements for window displays
- Heavy depreciation on stock claims
- Limited or no cover for customers’ goods in your care
- Exclusions for sendings by post or courier
- High excesses on theft claims
Jewellers Block eliminates most of these restrictions, offering broader, clearer protection tailored to the way jewellers actually operate.
What Does Jewellers Block Typically Cover?
A true Jewellers Block policy provides seamless “all-risks” cover (unless specifically excluded) for:
- Stock and goods in trust – Your own jewellery, precious metals, gemstones and customers’ items for repair, setting or valuation, wherever they are on your premises, in windows, safes or showcases.
- Premises and contents – Shop fittings, safes, display cabinets, alarms, signage and the building itself (owned or leased).
- Theft and robbery – Including hold-up, smash-and-grab, employee dishonesty and theft following assault.
- Sendings and transit – Stock sent by post, courier, approved carrier or carried personally, worldwide.
- Exhibitions and trade fairs – Temporary cover away from premises.
- Machinery and workshop equipment – Breakdown, fusion (melting accidents) and tools of the trade.
- Business interruption – Loss of profits and increased costs following an insured event.
- Liability – Public, product and professional indemnity cover.
Most policies operate on a “reinstatement” basis – meaning stock is replaced new-for-old with no depreciation applied.
Key Features That Set Jewellers Block Apart
- 24/7 window display cover – No requirement to clear windows overnight.
- Automatic seasonal increases – Extra capacity during peak periods like Christmas and Valentine’s.
- Worldwide all-risks extensions – For travel, exhibitions and sendings.
- Flexible underwriting – Based on deep trade knowledge rather than rigid checklists.
Who Needs Jewellers Block?
Any business handling valuable jewellery should consider it, including:
- Retail jewellers
- Manufacturing and bespoke workshops
- Wholesalers and importers
- Pawnbrokers
- Antique and vintage dealers
- Designers holding high-value stock
Why Choose a Specialist Provider?
Only a handful of underwriters truly specialise in Jewellers Block. Working directly with a specialist like Centrestone ensures broader wording, fairer claims handling and competitive premiums based on genuine trade understanding – rather than a generic policy adapted by a non-specialist broker.
Jewellers Block isn’t just insurance – it’s peace of mind crafted specifically for the jewellery industry.
Ready to protect your business properly? Contact Centrestone for a no-obligation review of your current arrangements.
Centrestone Jewellers Block – Specialist insurance for the trade that trusts us.
