Scheduling High-Value Items

High-value items don’t fit inside the tiny sub-limits insurers attach to standard homeowners policies. Jewelry, firearms, musical instruments, collectibles, camera gear—none of them are truly protected unless they’re scheduled. Scheduling is how you tell the insurer, “This item exists, here’s its value, insure it properly.” It’s simple, cheap, and the only way to guarantee full reimbursement after a loss.

If you’re not sure what sub-limits are or how they gut payouts, read personal property limits first. It explains why scheduling matters in the first place.

1. What “Scheduling” Actually Means

Scheduling an item moves it out of the generic personal property pool and onto its own line of coverage. The insurer insures that item specifically—at the appraised or documented value you provide.

• You get full replacement cost coverage
• No depreciation (even on older items)
• No sub-limits or special theft caps
• Often zero deductible on scheduled items

If you own anything worth more than your policy’s sub-limit for that category, scheduling isn’t optional—it’s required to avoid getting underpaid.

2. Items That Should Always Be Scheduled

Insurers design sub-limits to restrict certain categories because they’re high-risk or easily stolen. These are the most commonly scheduled items:

• Engagement rings and wedding bands
• Fine jewelry and watches
• Firearms and optics
• Artwork and collectibles
• Camera bodies, lenses, and drones
• Musical instruments
• Antiques

If you’re not sure whether your items exceed your policy’s caps, read your declarations page or check the sub-limits section in the policy booklet.

3. What Documentation You Need

Scheduled items require stronger proof of value than standard property. Insurers want clarity—nothing ambiguous, nothing estimated.

• Appraisal (for jewelry, art, antiques)
• Purchase receipt or invoice
• High-quality photos
• Serial numbers when available

If you don’t have perfect documentation, start with photos or a quick appraisal. Without proof, the insurer will only insure items at a generic estimated value.

4. What Scheduling Actually Fixes

Scheduling closes the biggest holes in your policy:

• Removes tiny theft sub-limits
• Makes the item immune to depreciation
• Pays full replacement cost, even if prices rise
• Insures “mysterious disappearance,” which standard policies rarely cover

This is why scheduling is essential for burglary scenarios. If you haven’t already, look at what to do after a burglary—those situations hit sub-limits the hardest.

5. How Much Scheduling Costs

Scheduling is surprisingly cheap. Most items cost around 1–2% of their insured value per year.

• A $5,000 ring might cost $50–$100 per year to schedule
• A $2,000 firearm might cost $20–$40 per year
• A $10,000 camera setup might cost $100–$200 per year

Compared to losing thousands in a claim, the cost is nothing.

6. How to Schedule an Item With Your Insurer

• Call your agent and request a “personal articles schedule” or “scheduled personal property endorsement”
• Provide appraisals or receipts
• Submit photos for documentation
• Confirm whether the schedule uses RCV or agreed value

Most schedules update automatically each renewal, but appraisals for jewelry often need refreshing every 2–5 years.

7. When Scheduling Doesn’t Make Sense

Not everything needs scheduling. Skip items that:

• Are low-value and easily replaced
• Fall well within existing sub-limits
• Have no resale or collector value

Scheduling is for valuables, not everyday clutter.

8. The Bottom Line

If you own anything truly valuable, your policy’s default protection is too weak to save you. Scheduling is the only way to guarantee full reimbursement with no depreciation games, no sub-limit surprises, and no arguments. Do it before something goes missing—not after.