Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.
The essentials
- Without an invoice, proof is still possible: photos, certificates, valuations, bank statements, statements from relatives, estate or gift documents.
- Report the theft to the insurer within the period set by the policy, which cannot be shorter than 2 working days, and file a police complaint.
- The best defence is prepared beforehand: photos on a neutral background, hallmarks, a valuation and an inventory kept outside the home.
Jewellery theft insurance without an invoice: what you need to know
Jewellery is among the first items taken in a burglary, and among the hardest to justify: rings inherited from a grandmother, a bracelet given twenty years ago, a watch bought abroad. The question of jewellery theft insurance without an invoice therefore often arises, at the worst possible moment.
The principle is simple: it is for the policyholder to prove the existence of the jewellery, the fact that it was in the home, and its value. The invoice is the most direct proof, but not the only one. Failing that, proof may be provided by other means, which the insurer and its expert assess. Your policy must also cover jewellery, and within what limits: re-read the ceilings and the protection conditions required (safe, alarm, etc.).
Jewellery burglary: the possible proof
After a burglary, proof of the jewellery rests on a body of evidence. None is sufficient alone; together, they can be convincing.
| Item | What it proves |
|---|---|
| Dated photos (jewel laid out, or worn at an event) | The existence of the jewel and its appearance |
| Gemmological certificate, certificate of authenticity | The nature of the stones, their weight, sometimes the maker |
| Valuation or estimate by a jeweller or an expert | The description and value on a given date |
| Bank statement, order form, numbered case | The purchase, its date, sometimes its amount |
| Statements from relatives | Possession of the jewel (to be supported by other items) |
| Estate return, deed of gift | Receipt of the jewel, often with a value |
| Insurance policy designating the jewellery | A description and value accepted before the loss |
The insurer and its expert assess these items in light of your policy. The more precise they are and the more consistent with each other, the more likely the compensation is to match the real value.
Inherited jewellery without an invoice
Inherited jewellery without an invoice is the most frequent case. Several avenues exist. The estate return or the deed of gift may mention it, sometimes with a value: ask the notary (notaire) who handled the estate for a copy if you no longer have it. Family photos in which the jewel is worn are useful, especially if dated. An old insurance policy of the deceased relative may also describe them. Finally, a valuation made at the time of the estate is a valuable document.
Reporting a jewellery theft to the insurer: the steps
- File a police complaint at the police station or gendarmerie, describing the jewellery as precisely as possible. Keep the receipt.
- Report the loss to your insurer within the period set by the policy, which cannot be shorter than 2 working days in the case of theft (article L113-2 of the Code des assurances). Attach the complaint receipt.
- Draw up the statement of losses: the list of stolen items, with for each the description, the estimated value and the supporting documents. Your policy states in what form and within what period to send it.
- Gather the evidence listed above, starting with the strongest, and sort it item by item.
- Prepare for the insurance expert’s visit: they will examine the supporting documents and ask questions about each jewel. Stay precise and consistent.
The periods and documents required by your policy take precedence: re-read the general and special conditions, or ask your insurer or broker for them.
The statement of losses: how to write it
The statement of losses (état des pertes) is the central document of the file. For each jewel, state:
- the type (ring, necklace, bracelet, watch) and the description: metal, colour of the gold, stones, shape, size, engraving;
- the visible marks: hallmarks, jeweller’s signature, number;
- the origin: purchase (place, date, price), gift, inheritance;
- the value you estimate, and its source (invoice, valuation, insurance estimate);
- the list of supporting documents attached.
A precise description also helps the investigators: a well-described jewel is more likely to be identified if it is recovered.
Preparing before a theft
Most difficulties disappear if the work is done in advance. A few hours are enough.
- Photograph each jewel on a neutral background, next to a graduated ruler, from the front, in profile and in detail. Add a photo of the jewel being worn.
- Photograph the hallmarks, signatures and numbers, with a loupe or in macro mode.
- Have valuable jewellery valued and keep the report; update the estimate from time to time, as prices change.
- Keep invoices and certificates in one place, digitised.
- Keep the inventory outside the home: in a secure online space, not on the computer or in the drawer that risk being stolen along with the jewellery.
- Check your policy: limit for valuables, protection conditions, and the possible benefit of an agreed value.
To go further, see our guide inventorying your home for insurance and the page jewellery inventory.
With Collectalia
Each jewel has its own record, with the useful fields: metal, hallmark, stones, carats, GIA or HRD gemmological certificate. Photos are taken from your phone by scanning a QR code, and invoices, certificates and valuations are filed on the record. The inventory is hosted in France, backed up daily and accessible even if the home has been burgled; a PDF insurance report can be generated in a few clicks for the statement of losses, and your broker can receive read-only access.
Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.