Wedding Blog
I added the ring to my renter’s insurance policy just two weeks after the engagement. Poor Mr. T had been rather nervous the entire time — trying to figure out, for instance, just how far he’d have to go to save the uninsured ring if we were mugged while walking the dog late at night. (What if he had to really fight a guy for it? What if it somehow came to a choice between the ring and our dog?…) Now he can finally rest easy!
I don’t know why I put off making the call. I do have a bit of phone phobia, but I know from experience that the people at my insurance company are wonderfully nice: As everyone knows, I am something of a bargain queen. So when I first moved into my current apartment, of course my method of choosing a renter’s insurance company was to go to LowerMyBills.com and see who could offer the best rates. That turned out to be Amica Mutual Insurance. Amica keeps its rates low in part by doing away with the agent-as-middleman concept, which means that any customer service interactions are carried out with a representative by phone. But for a company chosen for its rock-bottom rates, Amica has turned out to shine in terms of customer service. Every time I’ve spoken with a phone rep, the person has been just as friendly and helpful as I could possibly hope.
Anyway when I talked to Ellen, the latest customer service rep, about insuring my ring, she initially informed me that the added premium would be $460 a year. Which is more than twice my current yearly premiums!! We both sat in stunned silence for a moment, and I finally managed to choke out “That … seems … a bit … expensive…?” She agreed, and checked the system. It turned out she had entered the wrong code, and keyed in the new item as “Gun” rather than “Jewelry.” The new premium is actually much, much lower. We both let out a big “Whew!”
What’s the point to this story? I don’t know. Except that I recommend Amica Mutual to anyone looking for an insurance company. And that I’m now especially glad Mr. T gifted me with a beautiful diamond ring rather than a Colt .45. And mostly that, if you factor in the fact that Mr. T and I are lawyers, this is probably the closest my life will ever come to approximating the title of a Warren Zevon song!
(Image from Amazon.com)
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Share this post: Lawyers, Guns, and Money
I love your bargain advice! I’m a proud deal-hunter too. Is that top photo your ring? It’s gooorgeous. Where is it from? Good call on insuring your ring. Thanks again for the advice!
Thanks, Meleven!
Yes, that’s the ring! We started our ring shopping at Tiffany’s because Mr. T’s brother works there. But then we cheated on FBIL and found this style next door at Bvlgari. (And actually, this basic princess-cut-with-baguettes style has been around since about the 1930s).
Once we regained consciousness after learning the price (ha ha), we bought an even nicer stone through someone in NYC’s jewelry district, had the setting hand-made by an artisan, and still came out at about HALF the Bvlgari total. (Stores like that do what they do quite well, but you also definitely pay a LOT for the brand name!!!)
Miss Tulip, I love your posts and I love your ring! Congrats on finally making the call for the insurance (I hate doing things like that, too).
Ha-ha, Miss Tulip, I love your dog. vs. ring story! (And I have a fondness for “Lawyers, Guns & Money,” too - it’s a funny song!) My hubs felt the same way, and was very worked up b/c he’d had the ring hidden for months and months while he plotted his proposal. Then he hand carried it across the country, literally, twice (HNL -> NY and back!) and through Central Park. He was a wreck.
Here’s something that other Bees might find helpful if you’re looking for policies and you DID get a name-brand ring: when we talked to our sales clerk at Tiffany’s, she told us to make sure that the policy specified a TIFFANY’s ring of the same cut, clarity, etc. As Miss Tulip pointed out, you *do* end up paying for the name, and if you want it replaced with the same brand, you need to make sure it’s in the policy (you’ll probably have to pay a bit more as well). Otherwise, your insurance co. is perfectly within their rights to replace your Tiffany ring w/ a Costco one, as long as it’s the same material, etc.
I know in theory it really doesn’t matter - a diamond is a diamond is a diamond - but since you (or your FI, rather) paid for a certain source, you’ll probably want to get it from the same place.
Miss Tulip - we have a few things in common: my husband and I are both lawyers who walk our dog late at night and we insure my e-ring through Amica too! Small world, huh? - Ok, so maybe not all that unusual, but I thought I’d point it out. 
And, I absolutely agree with you - Amica has excellent customer service.
And, (one more) your ring is beautiful. I see why he was worried without insurance.
PrincessKittyHI — great point about the insurance and brand name, thanks!
HACB — please don’t tell me you also live on Capitol Hill in DC! We’re already convinced there’s a pair of dopplegangers there, and if it’s you there might have to be drastic action…. 
No, actually, that’s really funny about the coincidences!
That’s because Amica is like the co-op or credit union of insurance companies. They are always rated as #1 or #2 on the JD power and the Insurance commission’s rankings. (#2 is USAA)
Great ring!
Ha ha! Nope, we’re not in DC. We’re in Providence, RI. No chance we’ll actually run into each other while walking our dogs late at night.
Love the Warren Zevon reference. One of my favorite musicians, and one of my favorite songs!
I had Amica car insurance before I became eligible for USAA and I agree- they are good. But by far, my favorite part of being insured by them (again, for auto insurance) was the fact that they sent me a dividend check at the end of the year that was equivalent to almost 2 months of my monthly premiums! I went with a cheap, $10 a month internet-vendor renter’s insurance plan, but I definitely hope I never have to file a claim…
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Mrs. Tulip, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Retired
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Counsel/DOO for Small Gov't Contractor
Engagement Date: August 8, 2007
Wedding Date: March, 2008
Venue: Still Looking!
About Me: In all my dreams of the man I'd someday marry, I never pictured anyone as perfect for me as Mr. Tulip. So now we just have to make it through the craziness of the wedding and the moving in together! I love crafts, sewing, jewelry making, and photography, so am looking forward to this chance for DIY fun. When not wedding planning, I'm playing with our dog and 4 cats, Ebay shopping, or watching too much TV (often simultaneously!).
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