Travel Losses For manufacturers and wholesalers If you travel with jewelry - as a commissioned salesperson, an employee, or a principal of a business - you are among the most vulnerable members of the jewelry industry because you do not work in a permanent, secure location. The following recommendations can enhance your security, quality of life, and peace of mind while traveling with jewelry. We also recommend that you view our video, Danger on the Road: Traveling with Jewelry, for additional recommendations. Even if you observe all of the proper behaviors to discourage robbery, you may be confronted by an armed criminal. The best advice is to be prepared and do not resist. Remember that your line can be replaced; your life cannot! That is just one reason why it's important to have insurance coverage. Table of contents: Insurance policy issues Hiring Employers should conduct a thorough background check, including credit history, before hiring a commissioned salesperson or employee who will carry a line on the road. To obtain insurance coverage for this individual, you will need the following information for the individual being hired: - Current residence
- 15-year residency history
- 10-year employment history, including how frequently the individual carried merchandise off premises, types of merchandise, territory, and values
- Values of current lines being carried and for whom; insurance for those lines
- Loss history involving jewelry merchandise
- Whether the individual has been discharged, requested to resign, or charged with a shortage
- Conviction of a misdemeanor or felony
- Whether the individual takes jewelry home and what values
- Whether the individual has a premises alarm and safe at home
- Jewelry-related business references
General recommendations - The best crime prevention is to remain alert to your surroundings...at all times
- Establish a realistic plan for each day that you are on the road. Resist the temptation to make a few more stops. You are most vulnerable when you are overly tired.
- Carry a line that is manageable. You must be able to carry all of it with you - in one trip - into a restaurant, hotel, or jewelry store.
- Carry a cell phone with you at all times and use it to check in with your family or office, so they know where you are throughout the day.
- Alternate routes and store visit times to avoid becoming predictable. Don't take the same airline every time.Vary your flight times. Stay at various hotels. Drive different routes to your destinations.
- Make travel arrangements very confidentially. Never use the name of the jewelry firm when making reservations or arrangements and never use a postcard to make appointments. Never let others - outside of your immediate family - know where you will be staying.
- When possible, do not take your line to your home. Store it at your company, a jewelry store, or in a bank vault. If you must bring your line home, take extra precautions to reduce your risks.
- Keep a list of the inventory you are carrying in a safe place away from your line. The listing should be kept separate from your line to assure that it is available in the event that your line is stolen.
- Periodically review the "Security for Traveling Salespeople" section of the Jewelers' Security Alliance's Manual of Jewelry Security.
- If you are evaluating a security escort service, focus on the escort's experience and ability to "see danger" coming and remove the client from danger. The escort must concentrate on loss prevention, not confrontation!
Traveling by car - Never leave your line in an unattended vehicle, unless your company is one of the few who have purchased specific coverage for unattended vehicle losses. Even then, it is important that you understand the limitations of that coverage. For example, you may have coverage for only certain hours of the day or in certain geographic areas. You must assume that you have no coverage if you leave your line in an unattended vehicle, unless you have been informed otherwise. An attended vehicle has an authorized person actually in or on the vehicle.
- To qualify for unattended vehicle coverage, Jewelers Mutual requires a Babaco Jewelers Special alarm system. At this time, Babaco is the only national auto alarm installer that has standards for installation and service. This system includes physical barriers (chains and locks in the trunk), as well as electronic protection, which increases the amount of time needed to commit a crime. Babaco requires 90-day inspection and service agreements, maintains a log of each installation and service, and will provide underwriters with confirmation of the alarm installation and maintenance history. These are essential components for insurance.
- Jewelry thieves often watch retail locations and wait for traveling jewelry salespeople to arrive. The thieves follow the salespeople until they have an opportunity to steal the line. Inspect your car every time you return to it, looking for signs of tampering. Give close attention to taillights, tires, locks, and fluids under your car.
- After every sales call, take evasive driving action such as driving slowly, speeding up, making left turns, and driving around the block. Watch to determine if you are being followed.
- Keep a directory handy (perhaps attached to your sun visor) with the emergency phone numbers of local police. Contact local authorities to determine whether 911 will work from your cell phone in that area.
- Keep your car in excellent working condition with a full gas tank. Assume you have been targeted if you have a flat tire, car trouble, or become involved in a minor traffic accident or "car bumping." If possible, drive to a safe location such as a police station, toll booth, bank, or gas station and call the police on your cellular phone.
- When you rent a car, write down the rental car's color, make, model, and license number on an index card. Keep the information in a handy place, such as in your car's sun visor. If you feel that you are being followed, the police dispatcher will need that information.
- When you leave a store, give the store manager your cell phone number and ask him or her to watch you leave or even walk you to your car. If the store manager sees a car follow you, he or she should call you immediately and notify the police that you may be a victim of an armed robbery.
- Rehearse what to say to a police dispatcher. You must be concise and specific: "I believe that I am about to be the victim of an armed robbery."
- Keep track of your location so you can direct the police. Know the street or road names, cross streets and direction.
- If you travel to the same destinations repeatedly, take time to find important locations, such as the police department, banks, pay-at-the-pump gas stations, drive-through restaurants, and hotels/motels.
- Don't put personalized license plates on your car.
- Learn how to open your trunk from the inside in case someone locks you in the trunk.
- Park as close as possible to the jewelry store that you are going to visit.
- Purchase "run-flat" tires for your car. These tires permit you to keep driving, even when your tire has lost air, to reach a safe place.
- Equip your car with an alarm system, which is approved by your insurance company.
- Lock merchandise in the trunk of your car. Never leave it on a seat.
- If you are traveling by cab, keep your line in your possession, not in the trunk.
- Arrange to leave your line at the last jewelry store you visit each day. This will permit you to relax for the evening. Your line does not need to be kept in the store's safe or vault. To reassure the storeowner, you can sign a Bailee Waiver that relieves the storeowner of responsibility for your line.
When flying - Arrive early so you have more time and choices.
- Do not check your jewelry merchandise as baggage. Always keep your line in your possession, even if you have to reduce the amount of samples so that you can carry your line with you in a special case. Jewelry checked as baggage may not be covered by insurance.
- At busy airports, contact security and request a private security screening. By law, you are entitled to a private screening of your carry-on baggage. However, definitions of "private" vary. The screening may be behind a screen, in an alcove, or even in a bathroom stall. If you encounter problems, ask for the checkpoint supervisor or the ground security coordinator.
- If you do not request a private security screening, approach the airport x-ray security station with caution. Wait to proceed until the area is clear and no one can block you from walking through the metal detector. A common ploy involves one thief deliberately blocking you while an accomplice grabs your line as it comes off the belt.
- Make your jewelry line easier to search. Consider using clear plastic bags to pack your jewelry or wrapping jewelry in clear plastic, rather than cloth.
- Pack sharp jewelry tools in your checked baggage; don't leave them in your carry-on jewelry case. Do not fly with jewelry that contains sharp pins, such as brooches. Airport security may refuse to allow those items in a carry-on bag. Consider shipping those to your destination via armored courier or Express Mail through the United States Postal Service.
- Do not be the first in line to board. The first person in line often is chosen for random screening.
- Request an aisle seat. Store your line under the seat in front of you if at all possible. If your line does not fit under the seat, place it in the bin directly across from you so that you can clearly see everything that is taken out of that bin. Stay alert throughout the flight and retrieve your line as soon as the plane has landed and the flight attendant permits it.
At a hotel or motel - Do not let merchandise out of your grip or physical control, even momentarily, when you take your line to and from your car.
- Do not let your line out of your grip or physical control when checking in or out of a hotel.
- Use all locking devices on your door.
- Never leave your line in an unattended hotel or motel room. Take the line with you if you must leave the room.
- Never leave your line in the hotel security room.
- Be cautious of people arriving unannounced at the door of your room. Do not open your door until you verify the person's identity, such as with a phone call to the desk clerk. If suspicious, don't open the door.
- Never store your line in a public locker.
- Be alert for distraction tactics (someone spilling catsup on your clothes, dropping money, fighting, etc.) aimed at causing you to let go of your line.
At trade shows - Have your line transported to and from the show by armored courier. Have the merchandise delivered to the show inside the show's secured area.
- Remove your name badge when you leave the show area.
- Avoid discussing business outside the trade show area where you may be overheard.
Your customers - Check out prospective customers before calling on them or meeting them at an arranged location. Professional thieves will set up offices, install telephones, buy business cards or letterhead...all to give the appearance of operating a legitimate business. Employers should be very careful when supplying leads to their salespeople. Determine if a jeweler is rated or has reputable references.
- Ask to display your line in a private area, rather than in an area where the public is permitted.
- Arrange to leave your line at the last jewelry store you visit each day. This will permit you to relax for the evening. Your line does not need to be kept in the store's safe or vault. To reassure the storeowner, you can sign a Bailee Waiver that relieves the storeowner of responsibility for your line.
At home - Avoid taking your line home with you. You are taking all of the risks of your job home to your family and neighbors.
- Direct all business correspondence to a post office box. Never direct business correspondence to your home.
- Install an alarm system in your home. Teach all members of your family how to operate it. Test the system on a regular basis to assure that it works correctly and that all members of your residence know what to do if the alarm sounds.
- Meet with police in your hometown. Explain your work and ask for their help. Ask them to monitor your house more closely when they drive by and to note anything unusual. Talk with them about how they would respond if your home alarm were activated. Share your "Danger on the Road" video with them. Provide them with information from Jewelers' Security Alliance, the not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing crime against the jewelry industry.
- Beware of pretext phone calls. If you, your family, or business associates receive a call concerning your whereabouts from the police, a "friend," car rental agency, fire department, etc., get the caller's name and telephone number. Tell the caller you will return the call immediately. Then check with the telephone company's directory assistance to verify the phone number and identity of the caller. Never respond to telephone surveys or inquiries.
On vacation - Store your merchandise at the company or in a bank vault, and let your employer know where it is being stored
- Don't talk about business where others may hear you.
Back to top Insurance policy issues There are specific provisions in your insurance policy that relate to traveling with jewelry. It is important to understand these provisions to assure that you comply with the policy requirements. We encourage you to review your policy. If you are a commissioned salesperson or employee and have questions about insurance coverage provided under your company's policy, talk with the insurance administrator at the company you represent. That individual can refer to the actual policy, call the insurance agent, or contact the insurance company. Do not rely on statements from other salespersons regarding insurance coverage. (Please note that the terms "merchandise," "line," and "jewelry line" refer to property insured by the company you represent.) Below is a summary of several of the provisions in Jewelers Mutual's Jewelers Block Policy. Please refer to your specific policy. There is no coverage for merchandise: - At any exhibition promoted or financially assisted by any public authority or by any trade association away from the "described premises," unless endorsed to the policy. (You must obtain additional coverage for merchandise taken to, from and while at a jewelry trade show.)
- Left in an unattended vehicle, unless endorsed to the policy. An attended vehicle has a person actually in or on the vehicle. This person must be the insured, the insured's employee, or a person whose sole duty is to attend the vehicle.
Territory where coverage applies Coverage applies only while the merchandise is within or in transit between the United States of America, its territories and possessions, Canada, and Puerto Rico. (This can be modified by endorsement to the policy.) Some perils not covered, exclusions and limitations The insurance policy does not pay for loss if one or more of the policy exclusions apply to the loss, regardless of other causes or events that contribute to or aggravate the loss. The policy exclusions include: - There is no coverage for a loss caused by or resulting from criminal, fraudulent or dishonest acts committed by you or other employees, the insured, others who have an interest in the property, or those to whom the merchandise has been delivered or entrusted except for temporary safekeeping during travel.
- There is no coverage for unexplained loss, shortage discovered on taking inventory, or shortage from a package received in good condition with unbroken seals.
- There is no coverage for a loss caused by or resulting from voluntary parting with title or possession of any property because of the acceptance of:
- Counterfeit money or fraudulent money orders;
- Checks or promissory notes which are not paid upon presentation; or
- Credit cards that are illegally obtained and/or used.
Other coverage condition Information presented to us that is misrepresented, concealed or fraudulent can void your company's coverage. An example of fraud is filing a false report to your insurance company regarding how a loss occurred. In addition, filing a false police report could result in your arrest and in most instances will be discovered. What to do in case of a loss Your company's insurance policy contains a section that explains, among other things, what you should do in the event of a loss. You should: - Protect property - After a loss, you must take all reasonable steps to protect the property from further damage. However, do not put yourself in danger by resisting or pursuing a robber.
- Report the loss promptly - Contact the police if a crime was involved and contact the company you represent.
- Cooperate - If there is a loss, you must cooperate with the insurance company to determine if the loss is covered under the policy and the amount of any loss.
The information provided is only a summary of selected coverage provisions under Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company's insurance policies. The language is not part of the policy and is not a substitute for the actual policy language. Please consult your policy. If something suspicious happens or your line is stolen - Immediately call the local law enforcement agency. Waiting even three minutes greatly reduces the chances of the police preventing a crime or apprehending a criminal.
- Call the FBI if you have a crime loss. The FBI has field offices across the country. The agency's web site, www.fbi.gov , provides a list of offices with addresses and phone numbers.
- Notify your employer.
- Call your insurance company. Jewelers Mutual's 24-hour number is (800) 558-6411.
- Call the Jewelers' Security Alliance at (800) 537-0067 for assistance with law enforcement.
Theft from an unattended vehicle If your line is stolen from an unattended vehicle, most insurance policies will not cover the loss. One-third of line thefts happen when lines are left unattended in cars. If your line is stolen, don't be a victim of panic. Some salespeople, realizing their lack of insurance coverage, have submitted false police reports, alleging they were held up. Information that is misrepresented, concealed or fraudulent can void your company's coverage. In addition, filing a false police report could result in your arrest and in most instances will be discovered. Stay alert Remember the value of the merchandise you're carrying. Professional jewelry thieves are waiting for you to make one small mistake. Plan each trip carefully and follow your plan. Focus on maintaining possession of your line at all times. Assure that you have proper insurance coverage. If you are confronted by an armed robber, do as you are told and survive. Your line is not worth your life. For more information Consult the Manual of Jewelry Security distributed by Jewelers' Security Alliance. The manual includes an entire section on loss prevention for traveling jewelry salespeople. For more information about transportation alarm systems, visit Babaco's Web site: www.babaco.com Jewelers' Security Alliance 6 East 45th St.
New York, NY 10017
800 537-0067
www.jewelerssecurity.org Jewellers Vigilance Canada 27 Queen Street East Suite 600
Toronto Ontario M5C 2M6
800 636-9536
www.jewellersvigilance.ca Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company 24 Jewelers Park Drive
Neenah, WI 54956
800 558-6411
www.jewelersmutual.com Back to top Do you own a Jewelry Business in Canada?
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