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Travel Insurance Tips - Part 1: Baggage & Possessions

5 Ways to keep your possessions safe : What to do if your bags are lost or stolen

5 Ways to Keep Your Possessions Safe on Holiday

Losing your luggage or having your possessions stolen can spoil your whole holiday, but with just a little bit of common sense and preparation you can help prevent this from happening to you.

Here are 5 great tips on looking after your belongings while away from home.

1 Week Europe
from £12
(excl. baggage & money)

Annual cover
from £34
(excl. baggage & money)

Money Saving Tip

If you have AA home contents insurance and have purchased the additional section to cover personal belongings away from the home, you could save money by excluding baggage and money cover from your travel insurance.

If your contents insurance is with another provider check your policy details to see what’s covered.

1. Identification

Use durable luggage tags on each of your bags

Place identification and contact information inside your suitcase just in case the outer tag is lost. Include your name (as printed on your airline ticket or boarding pass), mobile phone number, hotel or destination phone number and email address as this will make it easy for an airline or transportation company to contact you if your luggage is mishandled. Do not include your home address as this could advertise to opportunistic thieves that your home is vacant.

Put a colourful marker on your luggage so that you can easily identify it and no one else will pick it up by mistake.

2. What not to pack

When packing, do not place valuable items or money in your suitcase, carry them as hand luggage and keep this with you at all times during your journey.

Don’t place house or car keys in your suitcase; if it’s delayed or lost on your return journey you might have a problem getting home.

3. Keep it with you

Never leave your valuables and possessions unattended even for a short period of time.

Keep money, credit and debit cards, passport and tickets on you at all times. The most secure way of storing these is in a money belt carried under your clothing.

4. Use a safe

Keep high value personal possessions, passports, tickets and money in a safe or safety deposit box in your accommodation when not in use.

5. Keep it out of sight

When leaving items in an unattended vehicle ensure that the vehicle is locked and items are hidden from sight in a locked boot, covered luggage area or glove box.

Never leave valuables or money in an unattended vehicle.