What Is a Personal Article Floater—and Do You Need One?

September 16, 2025||inPersonal Insurance|collections, personal belongings, personal insurance

Many people assume that their homeowners, condo owners, or renters insurance covers all their personal belongings—but that’s it’s not that simple. While these policies do offer significant protection, there are usually limits, especially when it comes to high-value or one-of-a-kind items. If you own something valuable, rare, or that you often take with you, you may want to consider adding a personal article floater to your coverage.

Personal Article Floater
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So, What Exactly Is a Personal Article Floater?

A personal article floater is specialized insurance endorsement—technically a type of inland marine coverage—that offers extra protection for specific valuable items. What makes it unique is that the coverage “floats” with the item, meaning it’s protected no matter where it goes, not just inside your home.

This kind of coverage is typically added to your current homeowners, condominium or renters insurance, or in some cases, may be purchased as a separate policy. It’s also typically designed to provide “open peril” coverage, which means your item is protected against most types of risks, unless they’re specifically excluded in the policy.

What Can a Personal Article Floater Cover?

Personal article floaters can cover a wide variety of valuables, including:

  • Jewelry and designer handbags
  • Fine art, antiques, and furs
  • Silverware, china, and crystal
  • Cameras, laptops, and electronics
  • Rare coin or stamp collections
  • Sports cards and memorabilia
  • Bicycles and golf clubs

Whether you’ve inherited a family heirloom or just splurged on something special, this type of policy can help protect your investment.

For example: Let’s say you own a diamond engagement ring. A standard homeowners policy might only cover jewelry up to a certain limit—often just $1,500—and only in specific situations, like theft. But if you accidentally lose the ring, such as dropping it down a drain or misplacing it while traveling, your standard policy typically won’t cover that kind of loss at all. A personal article floater, on the other hand, can provide coverage for a much higher value and for a wider range of risks, including mysterious disappearance. So whether the ring is stolen, damaged, or simply lost, you’re far more likely to be covered.

Have Questions?

If you’re not sure whether your valuables are fully protected or you want to explore your options, we’re here to help. Contact us today—we’ll walk you through the details and help you find the right coverage for your needs.

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