Some stuff is just stuff, and some stuff tells a story. Maybe it’s your grandma’s wedding ring, a stack of handwritten letters from World War II, or the upright piano that’s been in the family since forever. These family heirlooms mean something. And while you can’t replace the sentimental value, you can protect yourself from a major loss by getting them insured. If you’ve got any of these valuable items lying around (or packed away in a basement box), you might want to call your insurance agent.
1. Wedding and Engagement Rings
This one’s a no-brainer. Whether it’s sparkling on your hand or tucked in a drawer for safekeeping, your wedding or engagement ring probably cost a small fortune, and it means even more than that. Your great-grandmother’s ring — or another piece of jewelry — might have even been passed down to you (same goes for watches). Insuring these items protects you from damage, loss, or that one moment of panic when it’s not where you thought it was. Don’t wait on this one.
2. Original Artwork or Signed Prints
Did you get a signed print from a local art fair that you plan on passing to your kids? Or a painting passed down from your great-aunt? Even if it’s not hanging in a museum, original art can be surprisingly valuable — and impossible to replace.
3. Military Medals and Memorabilia
Military memorabilia and medals are earned and, therefore, cannot be replaced. These relics are invaluable to the men and women they belong to and keeping them (protected and insured) in the family is a great way to honor the soldiers’ service.
4. Antique Furniture
Sure, that old rocking chair might squeak, but if it’s been in the family for generations (and looks like it belongs in a Jane Austen movie), it’s probably worth more than you think. Antique furniture can be a pain to repair and super expensive to replace, so it’s smart to get it appraised and insured.
5. Vintage Musical Instruments
Grandpa gave you his old violin. You have a baby grand in the living room. A guitar that still smells like the ‘70s. Musical instruments often get passed down like family heirlooms — and they’re not cheap, so you’ll want to insure them.
6. Fine China or Crystal Sets
You might only bust out the good china once a year — or maybe it lives in a display case. Either way, it’s delicate, expensive, and often impossible to replace. One wrong move during holiday cleanup, and boom — there goes a piece of the set. Insurance is key here, folks.
7. Family Bibles or Historical Documents
Old family bibles, marriage licenses, love letters … these are the kinds of things that turn into time capsules. They might not seem like typical “insurance items,” but if they’re unique and meaningful, these family heirlooms deserve a little extra protection.
8. Photos
Before everything was on the cloud, families kept memories in albums, shoeboxes, and scrapbooks. If you’ve got old prints, Polaroids, or framed photos that tell your family story, consider getting them digitized — and insuring the originals. One flood or fire and they’re gone forever.
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