A recent YouGov survey found that 36% of Brits expect a safe to keep their valuables protected in a basic or standard hotel, and 78% would expect it in a luxury/premium hotel.
With nearly two thirds of Brits travelling to standard hotels not expecting a safe, travel insurance expert, Anna McEntee at Comparethemarket has compiled some tips on how people can keep their valuables protected on holiday if there isn’t a safe and also more generally when out and about.
1. Take a padlock with you
If there’s no safe in your room, ask the front desk if they have a safe place to lock away your valuables while you’re out.
If you’ll be staying in hostels there may be lockers you can use to store your belongings overnight and when you’re out, but you’ll need to bring a good quality padlock to secure them. Remember no matter how nice your dorm mates seem, don’t let your guard down.
Top tip: opting for a combination lock will save you the added stress of keeping a key safe.
2. Divide your belongings
Although you should keep all valuables in your carry-on when you travel, you could keep a backup credit card and some cash stashed away somewhere in your main luggage in case your wallet or purse gets stolen whilst you’re out.
Top tip: If you’re travelling in a group, it may seem like a good idea to ask your most sensible friend to guard the cash on an evening out, but it’s actually better to spread it out to minimise the risk.
3. Make copies of documents
Take pictures, scans or photocopies of important travel and insurance documents and email yourself any tickets or reservations essential to your journey.
It’s also a good idea to have a photocopy of your passport in your luggage. And leave a copy with your emergency contact back at home, along with details of your itinerary. While a photocopy can’t be used in place of your real passport, it can make it easier to get a replacement.
Top tip: some countries require you to carry your passport as ID, but it’s worth checking to see if a photocopy or other form of ID will do.
4. Back up your gadgets
It’s a good idea to back up the photos and documents on your phone, tablet and other devices and upload them to a cloud. That way, you won’t lose all your amazing travel snaps if your phone gets stolen.
Be cautious with your phone. Don’t leave it out on the table at a café, or in a bag or backpack at your feet. Ideally keep it on your person, in a jacket pocket or in a cross-body purse, bag or phone wallet.
Top tip: make sure you have your phone’s password, PIN or biometric lock turned on, to keep your personal information safe from thieves. You could also install a ‘find my phone’ app and research how to remote wipe all the data on your smartphone.
5. Make sure you have travel insurance
There’s no guaranteed way to keep your belongings safe while you travel, but having travel insurance could at least help soften the blow of your possessions being lost or stolen.
Top tip: most travel insurance policies won’t cover the theft of belongings left unattended. This includes leaving bags in a hire car while you go for dinner or your phone on your towel when taking a dip in the pool. Be sure to check your insurance policy before you travel.
For more information on keeping your belongings safe while you travel, visit here: https://www.comparethemarket.com/travel-insurance/content/keep-valuables-safe-while-travelling/
