Brian was driving his car when he heard a noise. He got out to inspect the vehicle, leaving it running with the keys in the ignition. As he was crouching behind the car and looking at the tail pipe a person got into the car and drove it away. While the car was later discovered, the two garment bags containing jewelry owned by Brian's employer, E.M.M.I, were gone and never recovered. E.M.M.I filed a claim with Zurich, but the claim was denied because the theft was from an unattended vehicle.

Click here to see how the district and appellate courts ruled.

Insuring jewelry manufacturers can be very difficult because of the value of the inventory. The carriers interested in writing these risks understand the unique exposures and, therefore, often attach warranties that allow the carrier to deny coverage when the manufacturer or its employees are not vigilant.

If you are interested in writing a jewelry manufacturer, click here to review the Commercial Lines Risk Evaluation System Narrative that describes exposures and recommends coverages.

Only a limited number of carriers are interested in writing the stock that is part of a jewelry manufacturing risk. Some standard carriers may write such a risk but exclude the jewelry. In such a case, a carrier that specializes in jewelers block can be contacted to provide the coverage needed to complete the account.

Click here to review the Jewelers Block coverage in The Insurance Marketplace for the state of Indiana that lists brokers who are active in jewelers block and can provide both coverage and advice.

Have you decided to pursue a jewelry manufacturer? If so, offering to provide a risk management survey might open the door. You could use the Commercial Lines Risk Evaluation System Jewelry Manufacturer's Questionnaire to conduct the survey, but first you must get the appointment.

Click here for a Business Building Letter you could mail to your identified prospects.