I lift weights. My platinum wedding band slowly warped from a circle into an oval. It became uncomfortable. I took it to a jeweler: $150 to hammer it round and polish it. I filed a claim. Denied. “Gradual deformation due to normal use.”
Key Takeaways
- Bending is Not “Damage”: Metal bends under pressure. If it happens over months of gym use, it is “Wear and Tear.”
- Sudden Impact Exception: If you slammed your hand in a car door and the ring flattened instantly (crushing your finger), that is “Accidental Damage” and covered. The timeline matters.
- Preventive Maintenance: Insurers expect you to maintain the shape of the ring. Reshaping is a maintenance cost ( 50-150).
- Platinum vs. Gold: Platinum bends (malleable). White Gold snaps (brittle). A snapped ring is easier to claim as “breakage” than a bent ring is to claim as “damage.”
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Intended Use.”
Wearing a ring while gripping barbells is “normal use” to you, but “abuse” to a jeweler.
The deformation is a natural consequence of the forces applied.
Insurance covers unexpected events. Bending a ring against steel is expected.
The Investigation (My Analysis of “Bent” Claims)
I checked if anyone covers this.
Jewelers Mutual
- The Verdict: They typically do NOT cover simple reshaping unless it’s part of a larger covered loss (e.g., the ring was crushed in an accident).
- The Exception: If the bending caused a stone to fall out, the stone loss is covered, and the reshaping is covered as part of the repair.
Zales / Kay Warranty
- The Verdict: Their extended service plans often cover reshaping/sizing for free. This is where the warranty beats insurance.
[IMAGE: Photo of a platinum ring bent into an oval shape on a ring mandrel]
Comparison Table
| Issue | Insurance | Store Warranty | Self-Pay |
| Bent Band | Denied | Covered | ~$50 – $100 |
| Snapped Shank | Covered (Breakage) | Covered | ~$150 |
| Scratches | Denied | Covered (Polishing) | ~$50 |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Buy the Store Warranty: For plain bands, the store service plan is better value than insurance. It covers sizing and reshaping.
- Don’t Wear it at the Gym: Silicon bands ($10) save you $150 in repairs.
- Claim “Impact” if True: If it happened in a specific accident (caught on a fence), report it as such. That is covered.
- Check Prongs: If the band bent, the prongs likely opened. Have the stones checked immediately.
FAQ
Does insurance cover resizing?
No. That is a voluntary alteration.
Is platinum better?
It doesn’t lose metal when scratched, but it bends easier than 14k gold.
What if it has to be cut off?
Covered. (See “Men’s Bands” article).