Protect your belongings on holiday

Around 8 million Britons abroad on holiday have fallen victim to around £3.5 billion worth of theft during the last five years, a new poll has shown. The survey, carried out by Co-operative Insurance, also highlighted that iPods are the item most likely to be stolen whilst on holiday. Electrical goods such as mobile phones, digital cameras and camcorders are the other items most commonly taken. Also at high risk are passports, laptops, gaming consoles, games and designer sunglasses. And where are these thefts most likely to occur? More than a third of Britons' holiday thefts occur while the victim is either at the pool or on the beach, 28 per cent of incidents took place within the victim's accommodation while busy tourist areas, such as high streets and markets, account for 14 per cent of personal goods stolen abroad. Travelling on public transport is another popular target area where jostling can appear harmless, only to find that a purse or wallet has been stolen in the confusion. Placing bags under your chair in a restaurant is an open invitation to it being taken.

If you are unfortunate to have any items stolen on holiday, do make a list of the items stolen and cancel your credit cards and travellers cheques immediately. Go to the local police station as soon as possible and insist on a police report. This is an absolute must if you intend to claim on your travel insurance and most travel insurance policies insist that this should be done within 24 hours of the incident. If you don't, then you will find your insurer less inclined to pay out. If you lose your passport, then contact the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate who will be able to issue you with an emergency replacement passport to get you home.

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