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Does Travel Insurance Cover Me Against Theft?

Travel confidently with your cash and valuables overseas. Find travel insurance with cover against robbery

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Jessica Prasida
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Important:

Travel insurance rules continue to change as a result of the pandemic. Some information may not be accurate at this time. It’s even more important to double-check all details that matter to you before taking out cover. Please note:
    • Some policies may not be available through Finder at this time
    • It’s unlikely that your policy will cover expenses from border closures
    warningFinally, some good news! Travel is picking up, so some insurers have started offering cover again. Just remember, you won't be covered for any pandemic related claims if you do take out domestic travel insurance.

    Travelling with your camera, cash and other valuable items is essential for the modern traveller. Similarly, protecting such items is a major concern for Australian travellers as the risk of being robbed or pick-pocketed can be greater in some parts of the world.

    What can travel insurance actually cover me for if am robbed?

    Travel insurance policies have benefits known as personal belongings cover and theft of cash cover to help cover you in incidents of theft. Travel insurance can cover stolen:

    • Cash (from your person)
    • Cameras
    • Luggage
    • Laptops and tablets
    • Mobile phones
    • Jewellery
    • Sports equipment
    • Personal items
    • Passports and travel documents
    • Credit cards and fraud (in some cases)

    What type of limits do travel insurers apply to stolen cash and property?

    BrandCash coverItem coverApply

    1cover

    		$250Maximum total cover of $15,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is:
    • Personal computers, video recorders or cameras $3,000
    • Mobile phones (including PDAs and any items with phone capabilities) $1,000
    • Unspecified items $750
    AMEX Travel Insurance

    American Express

    		$250Maximum total cover of $15,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is:
    • Camera/ Digital recording device limit (Each item) $3,000
    • Laptop/ PC limit (Sub limit) $3,000
    • Mobile Phones (Sub limit) $1,500
    • Other items (Each item) $1,000
    Budget Direct Travel Insurance

    Budget Direct

    		$400Maximum total cover of $7,500. The maximum amount covered for any item is:
    • Laptops, tablets, cameras and video cameras, mobile phones: $3,000
    • Single article limit / pair or set of items limit: $750
    • Valuables limit: $750
    • Any property (including specified items) which is lost or stolen from an unattended motor vehicle): $500
    Columbus Direct

    Columbus Direct

    		$250Maximum total cover of $7,500. The maximum amount covered for any item is:
    • Single Article Limit $750
    • Valuables Limit (in total) $750
    • Total and per Article Limit for Personal Computers, Video Recorders or Cameras $3,000
    • No cover for cash on domestic policies
    Fast Cover

    fastcover

    		$250Maximum total cover of $15,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is:
    • Personal computers, video recorders or cameras $3,000
    • Mobile phones (including PDAs and any items with phone capabilities) $1,000
    • Unspecified items $750
    InsureandGo

    Insureandgo

    		$500Maximum total cover of $8,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is:
    • Sub-limit for laptops, tablets, cameras, video cameras and mobile phones only $3,000
    • Single article limit/pair or set of items $750
    • Valuables limit $750
    • Any property (including specified items) which is lost or stolen from an unattended motor vehicle) $500
    		Get quote
    iTrek

    iTrek

    		$250Maximum total cover of $10,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is:
    • Personal computers, video recorders or cameras $3,000
    • Mobile phones (including PDAs and any items with phone capabilities) $1,000
    • Unspecified items $750
    Skiinsurance.com.au

    Ski-insurance

    		$250Maximum total cover of $5,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is:
    • Personal computers, video recorders or cameras $3,000
    • Mobile phones (including PDAs and any items with phone capabilities) $1,000
    • Unspecified items $750
    Tick Travel Insurance

    Tick Travel

    		$300Maximum total cover of $7,500. The maximum amount covered for any item is:
    • Sub-limit for laptops, tablets, mobile phones, cameras and video cameras only $3,000
    • Single article limit/pair or set of items limit $750
    • Valuables limit $750
    • Any property (including specified items) which is lost or stolen from an unattended motor vehicle) $500
    Travel Insurance Saver Logo

    Travel Insurance Saver

    		$250Luggage, personal effects and travel documents maximum cover of $12,000. The maximum amount covered for any item (i.e. the item limit) is:
    • Personal computer individual item limit $6,000
    • Camera & video individual item limit $4,000
    • Watches & jewellery individual item limit $700
    • Dentures or dental prosthesis individual item limit $800
    • Other individual item limit $700
    Travel Insuranz

    Travel Insuranz

    		$400Maximum total cover of $7,500. The maximum amount covered for any item is:
    • Total limit for valuables per item, pair or set $1,000
    Virgin Money

    Virgin Money

    		$250Maximum total cover of $10,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is:
    • Personal computers, video recorders or cameras $3,000
    • Mobile phones (including PDAs and any items with phone capabilities) $1,000
    • Unspecified items $750
    worldcare travel insurance logo

    Worldcare

    		$250Maximum total cover of $10,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is:
    • Personal computers, video recorders or cameras $3,000
    • Mobile phones (including PDAs and any items with phone capabilities) $1,000
    • Unspecified items $750

    Common exclusions of theft cover

    Before you depart on your holiday, make sure you’re aware of the situations when travel insurance will not provide cover for robbery. These include:

    • If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the robbery occurs
    • If you leave your items unsupervised in a public place and they are stolen
    • If you fail to take reasonable care to protect your cash, luggage and personal belongings and prevent yourself becoming a victim of theft
    • Some policies will exclude lost or stolen credit cards (and any resulting credit card fraud) from cover

    It’s essential that you read the product disclosure statement (PDS) before you leave home so you know exactly when you will and won’t be covered.

    shutterstock_345259556 (1)Am I covered if I'm hurt or injured in the robbery?

    If you are hurt or injured as a result of robbery, you will be covered for emergency medical expenses (unless you have a non-medical travel insurance policy).

    What should I do if I'm robbed?

    Being robbed or having your valuables stolen overseas can be an upsetting and stressful experience. Here’s what you should do if you ever find yourself in this unpleasant situation:

    1. Health and safety first. If you're a hurt or injured, make sure you seek immediate medical attention. Get in touch with your travel insurance policies emergency response team as soon as possible as some hospitals may require a guarantee of payment.
    2. Reach out to the appropriate emergency contacts of your destination. Contact the police for a written report of the incident. This will be helpful when you make a claim on your travel insurance policy. If your passport was stolen, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate to get a new passport, organise an interpreter if required and ask for any advice you may need.
    3. Make alternative arrangements. If the thieves took your hotel room key, inform your hotel's staff. If your wallet was taken, cancel your credit cards straight away.
    4. Make a claim. When it comes to making a claim on your travel insurance, contact your insurer to report that you’ve been robbed. You will usually have to fill out a claim form with details of the incident and submit supporting documents such as police reports, receipts and proof of ownership.

    Travel insurance brands 24/7 emergency contact numbers

    Travel insurance providerReverse charge numberMore information
    1Cover +61 2 8776 3010 Details
    American Express+61 2 8907 5666 Details
    Budget Direct +61 7 3465 1718 Details
    Columbus +44 20 7902 7405Details
    Fast Cover +61 2 8320 7999Details
    Insure and Go+61 2 9333 3999Details
    itrek +61 2 8320 7999Details
    Skiinsurance.com.au+61 2 8776 3010Details
    Tick Travel Insurance +61 2 9333 3963Details
    Travel Insurance Saver +61 3 8523 2800Details
    Travel Insuranz +61 (0) 2 9312 5168Details
    Virgin +61 7 3305 7499Details
    Worldcare +61 7 3305 7499Details
    youGo +612 8907 5619Details

    Don't forget these documents if you need to make a claim

    Make sure you have any information that your insurer requires after a robbery. This could include:

    • Police reports. Make sure you get this within 24 hours.
    • Medical reports. This is essential if you have been harmed
    • Receipts of your stolen items. Without this, you might not be able to claim anything back.
    • Credit card statement. If your credit card has been stolen, then you will need this to prove any fraud.

    Follow these tips to avoid being robbed

    • Avoid high-crime areas. While it’s not always possible to avoid tourist hotspots where petty crime is rife, do your research ahead of time and steer clear of dangerous neighbourhoods.
    • Don’t keep all your money in one place. Separate your funds throughout different pockets and different items of luggage. Carry a backup credit card so that you will still have access to funds if you are a victim of theft.
    • Be careful when using ATMs. ATMs are a prime target for thieves. Ask a friend to accompany you and keep an eye on your surroundings. Keep your PIN hidden and head to a busy public space if you think you’re being followed.
    • Keep a record. Before you leave home, make a list of everything you’re taking with you on your trip, especially valuables such as jewellery and electronic items. Take photos of each item as well so that you have a record of everything if something goes missing.
    • Photo ID. It’s also a good idea to keep photo backups of your licence, passport and visa in case they are ever stolen.
    • Make use of hotel safes. Your passport and money will be much better off in a safe than in your pockets or hidden under your socks in your suitcase.

    Compare travel insurance with cover for robberies and stolen property

    Picture: Shutterstock

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