Protecting Your February Purchases This Season

February may be one of the shortest months of the year, but it often comes with some of the biggest personal purchases. Between Valentine’s Day gifts, meaningful surprises, and major Presidents’ Day sales, many people bring home items with both emotional and financial value. With so much spending concentrated in a few short weeks, it’s especially important to make sure the things you buy are fully protected.

Finding the right gift or catching a great seasonal sale is always exciting. Whether it’s a piece of jewelry, a car you’ve been eyeing, or a special work of art, the thrill of bringing something new home is hard to beat. But before you wear it, display it, or take it for a drive, there’s an essential step that shouldn’t be skipped: confirming the item is properly insured.

This blog breaks down key coverage considerations for popular February purchases—from jewelry and fine art to new vehicles—along with helpful recordkeeping tips that make future claims much easier.

Why It’s Smart to Confirm Coverage Before Using or Gifting

When it comes to high-value items, waiting too long to handle insurance can lead to unpleasant surprises. Losses can happen unexpectedly—during the drive home, while traveling, or even during the gift exchange itself. Because of that, it’s best to make sure protection is in place before the item changes hands or becomes part of your daily routine.

February highlights this concern. Proposal-ready rings, collectible watches, bargain-priced cars, and newly acquired artwork each carry unique risks. Your goal is to match your insurance coverage to the true value and vulnerability of the item, so you’re not left with gaps if something happens sooner than expected.

Jewelry, Fine Art, and Collectibles: Why Extra Coverage Matters

Homeowners insurance offers important protection, but many people don’t realize that standard policies include strict limits for certain categories—especially fine art and jewelry. These limits often fall in the $1,000–$5,000 range, which may not even cover a fraction of a valuable piece.

To safeguard high-value items, additional coverage is often required. Jewelry, artwork, and collectibles can typically be insured through scheduled personal property riders, which list each item individually along with its appraised value. This ensures you’re eligible for full reimbursement if the item is stolen, lost, or damaged under covered circumstances.

These riders also extend protection to scenarios that aren’t usually included under a basic homeowners policy—such as accidental breakage or mysterious disappearance. Because valuations change over time, insurers generally require updated appraisals every two to three years to keep coverage accurate.

Some items, particularly fine art, may need more specialized protection. A dedicated art policy may include coverage for transit, restoration costs, and worldwide damage, making it especially useful for collectors who move, loan, or travel with their pieces.

Here are a few important reminders for February gifts and other valuable purchases:

• Insurance does not transfer automatically when jewelry is gifted or inherited—the new owner must add the item to their own policy.
• For especially pricey items, consider stand-alone “valuable items” or “personal articles” insurance available through many major carriers.
• Keep thorough documentation: receipts, detailed photos, appraisals, and serial numbers are essential for establishing coverage and proving value if you ever need to file a claim.

Buying a New Vehicle: Don’t Overlook Grace Period Rules

Presidents’ Day is known for attractive auto sales, and many buyers take advantage of the seasonal deals. Fortunately, most insurance companies offer a temporary coverage extension (often 7–30 days) for newly purchased vehicles when you already have an active auto policy. During this grace period, your new car usually inherits the coverage from your existing vehicle.

Still, there are important details to understand:

• You must already have an active auto policy for the grace period to apply; if you don’t, coverage typically needs to begin before you leave the dealership.
• If you insure multiple vehicles, the new one usually receives the broadest coverage among them—though only temporarily.
• Your current coverage levels matter. For example, if you only carry liability insurance on your existing car, the new vehicle will be limited to liability during this grace period.

Before that temporary window closes, make sure your new car is officially added to your policy. Financing or leasing companies nearly always require collision and comprehensive coverage, and many recommend gap insurance to cover the difference between the loan balance and the car’s value in the event of a total loss.

And don’t forget the vehicle you’re parting with—remove it from your policy once the transaction is complete so you aren’t paying for unnecessary coverage.

Whenever you buy a new car, make it a habit to:

• Notify your insurer before leaving the lot or as soon as possible afterward.
• Review and adjust your limits and deductibles to suit the new vehicle’s value.
• Update details such as drivers, garaging location, and usage (commuting, business, etc.).
• Keep important documents—bill of sale, registration, and insurance ID card—stored and accessible.

Recordkeeping: Small Habits That Make a Big Difference

No matter what you’re insuring, organized documentation is one of the strongest tools you have. Keeping accurate records makes establishing coverage straightforward and dramatically speeds up claims if you ever need to file one.

Helpful practices include:

• Maintain receipts, appraisals, serial numbers, and other purchase details.
• Save digital copies of documents and photos in secure cloud storage for quick access.
• Photograph new items from multiple angles to help identify them if needed.
• Review both home and auto policies annually to ensure your coverage matches what you own.
• Ask your agent about bundling opportunities—adding new items sometimes leads to discounted rates elsewhere.

These small habits create clear documentation that gives you and your insurer a solid starting point if something ever goes wrong.

Running Behind? You’re Not Alone

If you bought something weeks or months ago and still haven’t updated your insurance, don’t panic. Many people put this task off during busy schedules or excitement over a new purchase. The good news is that it’s never too late to get things in order.

Your agent can help you review your recent purchases, determine whether important items should be scheduled, and make sure your policies reflect what you currently own and use.

Enjoy February—Just Make Sure What You Love Is Protected

Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day often bring memorable purchases—luxury jewelry, a new vehicle, or artwork that brings joy every time you look at it. Taking a few minutes to think through insurance before you gift or use these items is a simple way to protect both their sentimental and financial value.

If you’re planning a meaningful purchase this February—or if you’ve already picked something up and need to update your coverage—I’m here to help you make sure everything is properly protected. A quick conversation can give you peace of mind as you enjoy your new jewelry, artwork, or vehicle.