Category: Jewelry Store Hints

Storms in the Gulf? Time to Act

Posted on by admin

Hurricane Season

Establish your Business Plan When a Major Storm Is Forecast

  • Move inventory to high ground, secure location identified in advance or off-site location
    • (check with agent for off-premises coverage & any specific instructions for your business in your insurance policy).
  • Power down and elevate critical electronics
  • Deploy flood barriers (sandbags, door dams, etc.)
  • Protect documents and signage
  • Notify staff of store closure or adjusted hours
  • Communicate updates on your website and social media
  • Secure stock in waterproof containers

Set up a Personal Plan When a Major Storm Is Forecasted

  • Water & nonperishable items
  • First-aid kit along with any prescribed medications
  • Flashlights & batteries
  • Important documents
  • Cash
  • Keep your gas tank full 
  • Pet supplies
  • Prepare your home; secure anything in your yard including outdoor furniture
  • Clear gutters and downspouts
  • Check in with vulnerable relatives and neighbors
  • Be prepared to evacuate
  • Review insurance policies now to sure your coverage is adequate

IMPORTANT: Stay alert and keep up with weather updates. Pay attention for any evacuation orders and other guidance from local emergency management officials.

🚨 After the Storm

  • Take photos/videos of all damage before cleaning up
  • Secure your property from further damage
  • Do not discard any damaged inventory until inspected
  • Contact your insurance provider immediately
  • Take an inventory of remaining stock if loss has occurred
  • Keep customers informed on delays or reopening plans

Please remember that a waiting period of 30 days applies to all new and lapsed National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance policies as well as any requested changes to your existing flood policy. The current maximum flood insurance policy limits available through the NFIP are as follows:

  • $500,000 for commercial buildings and $500,000 for commercial contents
  • $250,000 for residential dwellings and $100,000 for personal contents
  • $500,000 building and $100,000 contents on commercial residential property with 5 or more units

Also note:

  • For commercial flood insurance policies, only 10% of your NFIP contents limits will apply to your tenant betterments and improvements, but more may be available through private flood markets.
  • Excess flood coverage may be available 
  • If you own or lease multiple buildings at the same location, each building must be insured separately for building and/or contents.
  • All Losses under the NFIP commercial flood policy are settled on Actual Cash Value basis (replacement cost less depreciation).

Like floods, earthquakes are another hazard usually excluded from your standard property policy. Unlike the federal flood program, earthquake coverage is written through private insurance carriers. If you are in an area prone to earthquakes, we recommend adding coverage to your policy. 

Please contact us at Clockwork Insurance 504-262-8240 or info@clockworkins.com to quote or review your flood and home insurance today!

Add a Warranty That Works for You and Your Customers

Posted on by Tyler Wright

Enhance the Value of Every Sale with the JM® Care Plan

As a jeweler, your goal isn’t just to sell beautiful pieces—it’s to create a buying experience that leads to lasting customer relationships, referrals, and return visits. One powerful way to elevate your service is by offering your clients a warranty at the time of purchase.

The JM® Care Plan, offered through Jewelers Mutual®, is an easy-to-implement solution that provides peace of mind to your customers and adds value to every transaction. Whether it’s a delicate engagement ring, a luxury timepiece, or an heirloom necklace, this warranty plan helps protect the jewelry your clients love.

Why Offer a Warranty at Point of Sale?

Your customers are making a significant investment in their jewelry. By offering them a comprehensive warranty from the start, you give them a sense of security that enhances their overall buying experience. A warranty:

  • Shows your commitment to their long-term satisfaction
  • Reinforces the quality and value of the items you sell
  • Reduces post-sale concerns and service issues
  • Increases average ticket value with a seamless upsell opportunity

With the JM® Care Plan, you can offer all these benefits—and more.

What Is the JM® Care Plan?

The JM® Care Plan is a one-time purchase warranty that your customers can add at the time of sale (or within 30 days of purchase). It’s designed to protect their jewelry from not only manufacturers’ defects but also traditional wear and tear and even accidental damage.

Coverage includes:

  • Ring resizing
  • Prong re-tipping
  • Rhodium plating
  • Stone tightening
  • Watch battery replacement
  • Polishing and cleaning
  • And more

The best part? All of these services are handled directly through your store, ensuring customers return to you—not a third-party repair center.

Benefits to Your Jewelry Store

💎 Boost Customer Loyalty

Customers appreciate knowing they can return to your store for hassle-free repairs and maintenance. This keeps your brand top of mind and builds trust.

💎 Differentiate Your Store

In today’s competitive market, offering a simple, in-house warranty plan makes your store stand out. 

💎 Drive Additional Revenue

The Care Plan is a value-added service that can be easily bundled into the price of a piece. It’s a natural upsell that pays off over time, both in revenue and customer retention.

💎 Keep Service In-House

Rather than referring customers to outside repair shops, the Care Plan encourages them to return to you for service. This gives you ongoing opportunities for future sales and engagement.

Ready to Offer a Better Experience?

At Clockwork Insurance Services, we go beyond traditional coverage. We work closely with jewelers to understand their full business picture—including opportunities like the JM® Care Plan that enhance customer service and store profitability.

Whether you’re looking to provide greater protection to your customers, increase your average ticket value, or just simplify post-sale service, the JM® Care Plan is the solution.

📞 Call us at 504-262-8240
🌐 Visit us at clockworkinsurance.com
🔗 Learn more about the JM® Care Plan directly at jewelersmutual.com/jeweler-care-plan

Don’t Rely On Luck: Theft Prevention Tips for Jewelers

Posted on by admin

There are key times of the day and of the year when jewelry stores are most at risk for theft. Whether theft by employees or the public, either can be costly in time and financially. The time it takes to file a police report, get in touch with your insurance company to begin a claim and just the inconvenience of this incident along with addressing what led to this can be quite time consuming. 

Don’t rely on luck. 

Review your current theft protection plans and update them as needed. Here are some areas to review that can boost your current plan.

  1. Opening processes of your store.
  2. You should have 2 or more people during the opening of your store.
  3. Inspect the area prior to unlocking the doors
  4. Have one person keeping an eye outside while the other goes into the store, locks the door behind and checks that the store looks as it should.
  5. Processes during open hours.
  6. Security should be aware of the selling procedures your employees use and be keeping a close eye when precious pieces are brought out of cases for inspection by a customer.
  7. Employees should have a specific plan for showing jewelry and stick to it with security on the top of their mind while making a sale.
  8. Closing procedures should be followed and not be rushed. 
  9. If a phone rings, either let it go or stop closing procedures and stay inside the store to handle the call. This is just one example of a distraction that could put a store at risk.
  10. As with opening the store, 2 people should close the store, and neither should be dealing with any distractions. Employees should watch for each other and the area around them. One person should lock the store while the other watches what is going on around them.

During peak season, additional security should always be present and both security personnel and employees should watch for individuals “casing” the store. Any suspicious activity should be reported and written up. A log should be kept keeping up with any suspicious activity so that no one must rely only on memory.

Each store will have its own specific areas to address, and careful security planning is a must. Signing up with your local crime watch programs is helpful. 

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