The Rising Trend of Travel and the Hidden Costs of Lost Items
Brits are traveling more than ever, with over 92 million outbound trips recorded last year. While the excitement of exploring new destinations is undeniable, there’s a growing concern that comes with it: losing items while abroad. New research from Post Office Travel Insurance highlights the most common things travelers lose, the financial impact, and why travel insurance is essential for every trip.
For those who travel without insurance, the average cost to replace lost belongings falls between £401 and £500. In some cases, individuals have spent over £1,000 to replace what they’ve lost. This staggering figure underscores the importance of having proper coverage in place before embarking on any journey.
In 2024 alone, Post Office paid out over £7 million in claims related to lost, damaged, or stolen baggage. These numbers reflect the real-life challenges that many travelers face when their possessions go missing during a trip.
Commonly Lost Items
According to a survey of 2,001 UK travelers and internal claims data, Brits are most likely to lose jewelry while on holiday. This includes rings, bracelets, chains, and watches, with 31% of people admitting to losing one of these items. The top five most commonly lost items also include mobile phones, wallets or credit cards, cameras, and passports or other travel documents.
Age Groups and Unusual Claims
Interestingly, travelers aged 18 to 24 are the most likely to lose something while away, with a combined likelihood of 47%. It’s not just everyday items like phones and passports that are at risk—claims data has revealed some of the quirkiest things people have claimed for on their travel insurance in the past year.
These unusual items include an inflatable unicorn, life-sized cardboard cutouts, dentures, bagpipes, wedding dresses, artificial legs, urns with ashes, falconry gloves, GoPro snorkels, and custom wigs. While these may seem surprising, they highlight the wide range of items that can be lost or damaged during a trip.
Steps to Take When Losing an Item
If you lose an item while on holiday, it’s crucial to inform the relevant local authority within 48 hours. This could be the police, hotel management, or a transport provider. Travel insurance providers typically require an official report or reference number to validate the claim. Delays or lack of documentation can result in your claim being rejected.
Adam Edinburgh, head of Post Office Travel and New Products, emphasized the importance of travel insurance. “Travel mishaps aren’t just about lost phones and passports,” he said. “Our data shows people are claiming for everything from bagpipes to wedding dresses. While these stories might raise a smile, they highlight a serious point that replacing lost items can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds. That’s why having the right travel insurance matters, because whether it’s something you use every day or something a little more unusual, peace of mind is priceless.”
The Importance of Travel Insurance
Despite the clear benefits, nearly half of Brits—46%—admit to traveling without any form of travel insurance for trips abroad. This statistic is concerning, especially given the potential costs associated with lost or damaged items.
Martin Lewis from MoneySavingExpert has urged travelers to take out travel insurance as soon as they book their next trip. “The ‘As Soon As You Book’ (ASAB) rule isn’t just so you don’t forget later,” he wrote on his website. “It’s because one of the big protections of travel insurance is to cover you in case something happens before your trip that means you can’t go.”
