When a property owner has a normal homeowners, condominium or renters
policy in effect, there are low limits on the coverage available for
high-dollar items, like rare art, jewelry, gold and silver items and
other costly personal property. But a personal inland marine plan can
protect such costly items while giving broad risk protection.
When
there is a gap in property coverage, expensive personal items can be
left uninsured or not fully protected in the event of a total loss. If
valuable firearms, musical instruments, furs or other items are stolen
or destroyed by fire or some other peril, there might not be enough
coverage to replace them or fully reimburse the policyholder. But a
personal inland marine insurance policy can provide coverage to repair
or replace such insured items and not leave their owners in the lurch if
a total loss occurs.
Without inland marine protection, property
owners might be left with no hope of replacing their lost valuables if
the loss is caused by a peril for which there is no coverage in their
homeowners, condo owners or renters insurance plans. And if those items
are being transported and are damaged or destroyed in the process, an
inland marine rider would repair, replace or reimburse the policyholder
up to coverage limits and minus any deductible amounts.
Some
property and casualty firms offer several kinds of coverage to protect
the valuable items homeowners, condominium and renters plans do not
protect. Insurance coverage can be written for individual items, each
with their own coverage limits, such as when a particular piece of
artwork might be much more valuable than any other personal items.
Coverage also can be had that provides blanket protection for high value
items instead of listing them individually. In such cases, settlements
are negotiated on an individual basis, taking into account factors such
as depreciation and rarity when determining a final payout for insured
losses.
An Inland marine plan can protect expensive items on an
agreed-value basis, which determines the value of the insured item at
the time the policy is written. If a loss occurs, the insurer simply
pays the policyholder rather than attempting to replace the item.
Repairs will be made doing so will cost less and would not significantly
impact the value of the insured item. If a repaired item would wind up
nearly worthless as a result, then it would not be repaired. Instead, it
would be declared a total loss and payment made up to coverage limits
and minus any deductibles.




