Wednesday, June 25, 2014

How to Appraise Your Jewelry for Insurance Purposes

Do you have a collection of precious jewelry? While your homeowners (or renters) insurance includes coverage for personal belongings, expensive collectible items such as jewelry are often excluded or coverage is capped for much less than what your items are worth. Luckily, you can get the coverage you need at a modest price by adding a rider to your existing policy.

However, in order to purchase this additional coverage, most insurance carriers will require you to have your jewelry collection appraised in order to determine the true value. This written record of a piece's worth should be drafted by a professional gemologist who is accredited by a nationally recognized appraisal organization, such as the American Society of Appraisers or the Gemological Institute of America.

Additionally, take care to hire an appraiser who works locally, so your jewelry doesn't have to be shipped for a hands-on evaluation. A good appraiser charges either hourly or per piece, never based on a percentage of the jewelry's value. Ask your friends for referrals and do some online research to find a trustworthy appraiser who is experienced in identifying and grading precious stones and diamonds.

Before visiting the appraiser, gather any documentation you have on your jewelry. This may include original receipts, informational cards about the materials and previous appraisals. Bear in mind, the price of silver and gold is constantly changing, so you may consider having your collection appraised each time you renew your homeowners (or renters) insurance policy. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that your grandmother's old wedding ring is now worth more than it was when it was purchased.

Once the appraisal is complete, file the paperwork with your independent insurance agent to ensure that you get the right amount of coverage to protect your treasured collection.

Get the coverage you need. Call Triest Agency at (843) 556-6232 for more information on Charleston home insurance.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Triest Agency and Auto Insurance in South Carolina

About Triest Agency

Since 1903, Triest Agency has operated as a full service, independent South Carolina insurance agency. We are located in Charleston and Mt Pleasant, SC and offer a full line of insurance products to the entire state. Our extensive network of providers ensures that we can provide our customers with superior coverage.

Triest Agency has provided services for South Carolina for 111 years. We firmly believe in treating our clients with respect and unparalleled customer service. We understand that selecting an insurance policy can seem like an overwhelming task, so we aim to make the process as painless as possible for you.

At Triest Agency, our main goal is to match you with the most balanced insurance package that caters to your lifestyle. We offer a variety of personal insurance lines that we can customize to fit your needs for auto, home, flood or even AARP Car Insurance.

We also offer comprehensive business insurance plans including commercial, workers compensation, and lawyers professional liability insurance. Triest Agency has always been committed to bringing you high quality, cost-effective insurance policies for both personal and business purposes. Rest assured, your satisfaction is our priority.

Auto Insurance


Vehicle insurance, in the United States and elsewhere, is designed to cover risk of financial liability or the loss of a motor vehicle the owner may face if their vehicle is involved in a collision resulting in property or physical damages. Some states require a motor vehicle owner to carry some minimum level of liability insurance. States that do not require the vehicle owner to carry car insurance include Virginia, where an uninsured motor vehicle fee may be paid to the state; New Hampshire, and Mississippi which offers vehicle owners the option to post cash bonds (see below). The privileges and immunities clause of Article IV of the U.S. Constitution protects the rights of citizens in each respective state when traveling to another. A motor vehicle owner typically pays insurers a monthly fee, often called an insurance premium. The insurance premium a motor vehicle owner pays is usually determined by a variety of factors including the type of covered vehicle, the age and gender of any covered drivers, their driving history, and the location where the vehicle is primarily driven and stored. Many insurance companies offer premium discounts based on these factors.

Insurance companies provide a motor vehicle owner with an insurance card for the particular coverage term which is to be kept in the vehicle in the event of a traffic collision as proof of insurance. Recently, states have started passing laws that electronic versions of proof of insurance can now be accepted by the authorities.

For more information about South Carolina auto insurance, give Triest Agency a call at 843-628-3078.