How to Keep Your Valuables Safe Overseas: Lost Items, Luggage & Personal Belongings

Growing up, we often heard Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world, and I love that you can even leave your branded bags at a Kopitiam, and nobody would take it.

But, like many of you, I love travelling.

I cherish the experience of travelling. It broadens our horizons, offering new perspectives on life. Yet, there are inherent risks, especially when it comes to theft and robbery, which are more common overseas. This becomes even more apparent as you venture abroad and encounter differences in culture, habits, and everything else.

I vividly recall a university acquaintance who had her wallet stolen in a club while overseas, losing over $700.

The panic she felt, coupled with the loss of personal documents and the challenge of making a police report in a foreign country without proficient language skills, was truly distressing.

As much as she would like to recoup her losses, she couldn’t because she didn’t get travel insurance then.

Since then, as my travel experiences increased, I have ensured I have travel insurance to safeguard against unexpected losses.

So, if you’re on the lookout for travel insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage, let’s explore some of the best options in the market 👇🏻

TL;DR: Best Baggage And Personal Belonging Coverage in Singapore

Click here to jump:

• What’s covered under loss of baggage and personal belongings by insurers?
• What’s the best coverage for missing items or baggage?
• When is the best to make a travel insurance claim and how?
• Tips on how to keep valuables safe while on the go

What’s Covered Under Loss of Baggage And Personal Belongings?

For the benefit of those who usually skip reading the policy wording, most insurers cover the following items when we’re looking at loss of baggage and personal effects:

The difference between insurers lies in the limit covered for each article or a pair/set of articles.

You can most likely claim for these items only under circumstances such as accidental loss or damage while in the custody of an airline or other carrier and if your baggage or personal belongings are stolen or accidentally damaged.

Similarly, you will be required to make a report immediately upon discovery to the airline or other carrier, and if there is any proof of compensation from the airline/carrier, or where such compensation is denied, proof of such denial.

That said, you can find a comparison of the items covered by some of the popular insurers below:

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How Much Can You Claim For Missing Items or Baggage?

When looking at the overall coverage of loss and damage to baggage and personal belongings, the average is between $2,000 and $5,000.

And on the higher end, we will see $7,000 – $10,000.

Note: Pay attention to the limit per article, as you might not be able to claim in full the cost that you’ve lost.

With that, we’ve shortlisted the insurers which we think you can consider:

If you’re considering travel insurance, check out Seedly Travel Insurance!

This travel insurance is ideal for everyone, particularly families, as it automatically includes insurance protection for children without additional add-ons!

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From now till 10 March 2024, you will also get a FREE Apple AirTag (worth S$45)! No min. premium required.

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When Is the Best to Make a Travel Insurance Claim and How to Do So?

For those who are wondering when’s the best time to make a claim, the answer is right after you’ve received a result from the police report made (in cases of theft, robbery & burglary) or when you’ve received a result from the airline/carrier that caused the damage to or loss of your baggage, or denial of the claim by the relevant parties that led to the damage or loss.

Do note that most insurers require you to make a report to the police within 24 hours of you becoming aware of such incidence of loss or your return back to your home, whichever occurs first, and be accompanied by written documentation from the police about the incidence of loss.

What to Do When Important Documents Such as Passport Gets Lost or Stolen?

You must first make a police report and follow the local immigration regulations to make a new passport.

The good thing about travel insurance is that most insurers cover the cost of a full replacement and the expenses incurred while staying and waiting for your new passport.

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Tips on How to Keep Valuables Safe While on the Go

While we may feel safer with travel insurance, we shouldn’t take our safety for granted.

There are still practical ways to keep your valuables safe when you travel.

• Carry (small amount of) cash in different places so that you don’t lose all your money at one go
• Carry your bag in front to thieves from swiping your valuables
• Get a money belt for countries where crimes such as pickpocketing are high
• Use a multi-currency card where you can bring less cash and store currencies in
• Enable two-factor identification for everything
• Remember your insurer’s hotline
• Have copies of your personal documents stored in different places

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