You might be surprised to learn that your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy probably does not offer full coverage for your engagement ring and other fine jewelry. Your insurance policy probably covers jewelry theft, but not loss that occurs for other reasons.

Renter's and homeowner's insurance policies set limits for the loss of certain categories of personal property, including jewelry. Homeowner's policies typically pay a maximum of $1,000 for jewelry theft. A renter's insurance policy might have a lower limit for jewelry loss--$500 is common.

Does your insurance policy cover jewelry loss for reasons other than theft--such as for lost or damaged items? Read your policy carefully and ask your insurance agent to clarify the types of losses that are covered on your standard policy.