Does travel insurance cover theft?

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Limits for cash and other belongings

Brand	Cash cover	Item cover	Apply
Medibank	$500	Maximum total cover of $25,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Camera or video camera and Laptop (limit per item) $4,000 Tablet computer (limit per item) $3,000 Phone or smartwatch (limit per item) $2,000 Any other item (limit per item) $1,200	Get quote
ahm	$500	Maximum total cover of $15,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Camera or video camera (sub limit) $3,500 Laptop or tablet computer (sub limit) $3,000 Any other item (sub limit) $1,000	Get quote
Freely	$500	Maximum total cover of $10,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Laptop, tablet computer and camera (sub limit) $4,000 Smartphones, mobile phones and smart watches $2,000 (sub limit) Drones (not covered in use) $2,000 (sub limit)	Get quote
InsureandGo	$500	Maximum total cover of $15,000. 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
Kogan	$250	Maximum total cover of $12,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Camera or video camera (sub limit) $3,500 Laptop or tablet computer (sub limit) $3,000 Any other item (sub limit) $1,000	Get quote
Tick	$300	Maximum 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	Get quote
Zoom	$250	Maximum total cover of $10,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Personal computers, laptops or cameras (sub limit) $3,000 Mobile phones and tables (sub limit) $1,000 (sub limit) All other items (sub limit) $750$	Get quote
Fast Cover	$250	Maximum total cover of $15,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Personal computers, video recorders or cameras $3,000 Mobile phones and other portable communication equipment $1,500 Small mobile hand-held computers including tablet devices like iPads $1,000 Unspecified items $750	Get quote
Insure4Less	$500	Maximum total cover of $5,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Camera, laptop or hand held computer (sub limit) $2,000 Any other item (sub limit) $750	Get quote
Travel Insuranz	$400	Maximum total cover of $7,500. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Total limit for valuables per item, pair or set $1,000	Get quote
World2cover	$500	Maximum total cover of $15,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Camera, laptops, tablets and golf clubs (sub limit) $3,000 Smart and mobile phones, dental prostheses (sub limit) $1,000 Any other item (sub limit) $1,000	More info
Cover-More	$500	Maximum total cover of $25,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Camera of video camera (limit per item) $6,000 Laptop computer (limit per item) $5,000 Tablet computer (limit per item) $3,000 Phone or smartwatch (limit per item) $2,500 Drone(limit per item) $2,000 Any other item (limit per item) $1,500	Get quote
Southern Cross	$500	Maximum total cover of $15,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Laptops, personal computers, tablets and cameras (sub limit) $3,000 Jewellery and traditional watches (sub limit) $2,500 Phones and other items (sub limit) $1,500
Travel Insurance Saver	$500	Luggage, personal effects and travel documents maximum cover of $20,000. The maximum amount covered for any item (i.e. the item limit) is: Electronic equipment such as personal computers, laptops, notebooks and tablets, mobile phones, cameras (sub limit) $5,000	More info
Easy	$250	Maximum total cover of $25,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Camera (sub limit) $6,000 Laptop or tablet computer (sub limit) $5,000 or $3,000 Phone or smartwatch (sub limit) $2,500 Any other item (sub limit) $1,500	Get quote
Australia Post	$250	Maximum total cover of $12,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Camera or video camera (limit per item) $4,000 Laptop or Tablet computer (limit per item) $3,000 Phone (limit per item) $1,500 Any other item (limit per item) $1,000	Get quote
1cover	$250	Maximum 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	More info
American Express	$250	Maximum total cover of $15,000. The maximum amount covered for any item is: Laptop, camera including lenses and accessories(sub limit) $3,000 Smartphone (sub limit) $1,250 Single item or Pair or Set of items (sub limit) $1,000
Ski-insurance	$250	Maximum 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
Worldcare	$250	Maximum 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

^{Note: This information was last updated May 2025}

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.

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:

Health and safety first
If you're 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.

Reach out to the relevant authorities
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.

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.

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.

Helpful 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.
• General paper trails. Copies of correspondence like emails or letters from hotels or other businesses that can confirm the incident.

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.
• 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. Some claims have been denied for not securing property in hotel safes

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FAQs

• What is the difference between theft and loss in travel insurance?

  Theft usually refers to items being stolen through a criminal act such as a robbery, a break-in, or pickpocketing. Loss refers to items that you have simply misplaced or forgotten. Most comprehensive travel insurance policies cover theft but generally do not cover items that are simply lost or left behind.

• Does travel insurance cover stolen electronic items like phones, laptops or cameras?

  Yes, most comprehensive travel insurance policies offer cover for stolen electronic items like phones, laptops, cameras, and smartwatches. However, these items often have specific sub-limits, which means there is a maximum amount an insurer will pay for each individual item regardless of its original value. There is also an overall limit for all your belongings. Always list valuable electronics when getting your quote and refer to your PDS for specific item limits.

• Am I covered if my passport or travel documents are stolen?

  Yes, if your passport or other essential travel documents are stolen, most comprehensive travel insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing them. This can include fees for new documents and reasonable additional accommodation or transport expenses incurred to obtain them. You must report the theft to the local police and the nearest Australian embassy or consulate as soon as possible.

• What if my belongings are stolen from a rental car or unattended vehicle?

  Cover for items stolen from a rental car or unattended vehicle can be limited or excluded by many travel insurance policies. Some insurers may offer a low sub-limit for these circumstances, while others exclude cover entirely unless the vehicle was locked and signs of forced entry are evident. Always ensure valuables are not left visible or unattended in a vehicle and read your PDS carefully for these specific exclusions.

• What if I do not have receipts for my stolen items?

  While receipts are the best form of proof to support a claim for stolen items, not having them does not always mean your claim will be denied. Insurers may accept other forms of evidence such as bank statements, credit card statements, warranty cards, photos of the items, or even packaging. However, providing clear proof of ownership and value can be more challenging without original receipts.

• Does travel insurance cover items stolen from my hotel room or accommodation?

  Yes, most travel insurance policies provide cover for items stolen from your hotel room or other accommodation. However, there are usually conditions. Insurers will expect you to have taken reasonable care to protect your belongings, such as locking your room and using the hotel safe for valuables like cash, passports, and expensive jewellery. Failure to take these precautions may lead to a claim being denied.

• Is credit card fraud covered if my wallet is stolen overseas?

  While travel insurance may cover the physical cash stolen from your wallet up to a certain limit, credit card fraud that occurs after your wallet is stolen is often a separate matter. Many policies will exclude cover for financial loss due to credit card fraud, as your bank or credit card provider usually offers fraud protection. It is crucial to cancel your credit cards immediately after a theft to minimise any fraudulent activity.

Written by

Jessica Prasida

Travel Insurance Expert

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Jessica Prasida brings a decade of experience in the travel industry, including over four years as a travel agent and branch manager at STA Travel. She holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Marketing from the University of Technology, Sydney, as well as a Tier 1 General Insurance qualification that complies with ASIC guidelines. An avid traveller herself, Jessica combines her professional expertise with a passion for ensuring safe and enjoyable journeys for all travellers. Jessica was a Travel Insurance Publisher at Finder from 2019 to 2024. See full bio