Lost and Stolen Passports: Which steps to take?

Your passport serves as one of the essential keys to your doorway to a perfect holiday – thus, realizing it’s been lost or stolen can be devastating and overwhelming and could potentially ruin the rest of your plans. But, in case this happens, it’s imperative to stay calm and composed, and know that this temporary inconvenience will pass and you can pivot back to the holiday you deserve. But first, you have to take note of the following steps you must take to ensure that this mishap goes behind you in no time:

For Lost Passport

In case your passport gets lost, you must prioritize contacting the British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission to cancel your passport. This is to prevent your passport to be used in illegal activities and avoid identity theft. If you are in the UK, you can fill out the online form, while if you’re outside the country, you will have to fill-out and print  the “Lost or stolen British passport notification” form.

For Stolen Passport

On the other hand, upon realization that your passport was stolen, the first step you should take is to involve the police. Go to the nearest police station and provide the police a detailed report about the how, where, and when. After the police report is completed, it’s imperative that you request a copy of the report or obtain the reference number as you will need these supporting documents and information to claim for your travel insurance benefits.

For both cases

Remember to ensure that you will have to get in touch with the British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission to cancel your passport and fill out the necessary forms. You can visit fco.gov.uk to retrieve the addresses of the British Embassy in the country you’re visiting.

Can Travel Insurance Help?

Worldwide Travel Insurance can assist you in various ways when your passport is lost. Although you will need to take utmost responsibility, this insurance cover can help you indemnify the losses incurred due to a lost passport.

There are various ways insurance can alleviate your worries and loss:

Before the trip

In case you lost your passport before the trip and can no longer travel at the schedule date, the travel insurance product can indemnify the expenses already incurred for the trip – this may include your flight tickets, accommodation costs, and other pre-paid activities and excursions.

During the trip

If in case you lost your passport while on a trip, the following can be reimbursed or indemnified:

a. Your missed flight/s. Without the passport, it’s impossible for you to go through immigration, thus, you’d have to miss flights – this loss will be reimbursed by the insurer.
b. Activities and excursions missed. Worried of that one-day trip to the beach you already paid for and cannot utilize due to your lost passport? Don’t worry because this can be reimbursed by the insurer, as well.
c. Your extended accommodation cost. Because of the delay that is brought about by the lack of passport, you’ll have to incur additional accommodation cost. This can also be covered by your policy, thus, you need not further stress about this necessary expenditure.
d. Passport replacement cost. The fees and transportation expenses that will be inherent to replace your passport can also be reimbursed by insurer.

Things to remember upon claiming your benefits

There are certain things you have to keep in mind when claiming your benefits. First, you have to remember to check the benefit limits. Usually, the policy will specify a maximum amount of benefit in cases of delays and cancellations and these can be lower than the actual amount incurred. Second, remember to obtain the necessary evidence of loss, such as police report and paid official receipts. Third, upon loss, call your insurer immediately and inform them of what happened – this notice will help them navigate various ways on how they can assist you.

As you can see, insurance is a necessary part of your travel must-haves.

Remember, if your passport gets lost or stolen, keep calm and know that you are in good hands with an insurance policy.