Prudential calls for engagement insurance

Nearly one in five women do not have their original engagement ring, according to new figures from Prudential Home Insurance.

14:31 17 November 2004

Nearly one in five women do not have their original engagement ring, according to new figures from Prudential Home Insurance.

Additionally one in four of married Britons do not have their original wedding ring, prompting Prudential to emphasise the need to check if existing home contents insurance covers jewellery.

The research also found that women are more likely to lose their rings, 20 per cent of those questioned did not have their original token of marriage.

Paul Marrington of Equinox jewellers explained: "It seems people are most likely to lose their rings shortly after they marry, because people just aren't used to wearing them."

Prudential's Phil Southgate commented: "It's astounding how many people lose their wedding rings especially with all the ceremony and sentimental value involved."

"We would seriously recommend people check to make sure gems are covered under their home contents insurance - if they're not, it will only add to the trauma of losing such a valuable possession."

The average engagement ring costs 600 while the more plain wedding band usually sets back prospective couples by 300 a piece.

Britons are, as the survey concluded, "quite literally letting a small fortune slip through their fingers".