Forms can show the estimated value of an item brought into the country

AXA’s Agence International in France has clarified how insurance cover works in the case of the theft of items brought into the country from abroad. 

A reader had reported difficulties obtaining reimbursement for items brought in from the UK that lack a customs declaration form. 

This is despite the fact that the items were brought over before Brexit, when there was no requirement for customs papers. 

Paulette Booth, agency manager for Agence AXA International, which specialises in bilingual insurance services, said customs forms for imported items are not obligatory. 

After checking with the claims team and experts they use to make assessments, she said that in the case of theft, especially jewellery or valuables, the expert will ask for proof of purchase or a recent valuation. 

“Often, clients are unable to produce these, especially if things were gifts or purchased in another country where it is not customary to keep receipts, as it is in France.

In this case, the expert would ask for a customs form to see if the item is mentioned on it, and if there is an estimated value.

“So the customs form is only requested if it can help determine the existence or value of an item. It is not a compulsory document that is needed for a claim – it can just help if one exists.” 

As a result, we would advise keeping receipts where possible, or any other proof of ownership of your valuable items. 

This could include photos of them in situ, and potentially a written expert valuation of costly pieces. 

Note also that some insurers offer an option called valeur agréée in which certain valuables – or your possessions in general – can be valued by an expert and itemised in a home insurance contract. 

This is an alternative to the more common valeur déclarée method, in which you provide an overall estimate of the value of your possessions.

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