Brits are travelling more than ever, with more than 92 million outbound trips predicted to have been made last year.
But alongside the excitement of holidays comes a costly – and painful – problem: losing items while abroad.
New research from Post Office Travel Insurance reveals what holidaymakers are most likely to part company with by accident, how much it costs, and why travel insurance is so important.
For those travelling without insurance, the most common replacement cost bracket is £401 to £5002, with some unlucky holidaymakers spending over £1,000 to replace lost belongings.
In 2024 alone, Post Office paid out more than 7 million for lost, damaged or stolen baggage claims.
According to a survey based on 2,001 UK travellers and internal claims data, Brits are most likely to lose jewellery while on holiday,
This includes rings, bracelets, chains and watches, with 31 per cent of people having lost one of those items.
The other items listed in the top five are mobile phones, wallets or credit cards, cameras and passports or other travel documents.
Taking expensive jewellery abroad? New research shows 31 per cent of people have lost rings, bracelets, chains and watches on holiday
Lost wallets and credit cards form part of the top five items lost by Brits abroad
Travellers in the 18 to 24-year age bracket are the most likely to lose something while away, with a 47 per cent combined likelihood.
And it’s not just phones and passports. New claims data has revealed some of the quirkiest things people across the UK have claimed for on their travel insurance over the past year.
These include an inflatable unicorn, life-sized cardboard cutouts, dentures, bagpipes, wedding dresses, artificial legs, urns with ashes, falconry gloves, GoPro snorkels and custom wigs.
If you lose an item while on holiday, you need to inform the relevant local authority, such as the police, hotel management, or transport provider, within 48 hours.
Travel insurance providers require an official report or reference number to validate the claim, and delays or lack of documentation can lead to your claim being rejected.
Adam Edinburgh, head of Post Office Travel and New Products, said: ‘Travel mishaps aren’t just about lost phones and passports, 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 Post Office has revealed the most unusual items people have claimed on travel insurance – including an inflatable unicorn!
Nearly half of Brits overall – 46 per cent – say they have travelled without taking out any form of travel insurance for trips abroad, according to a recent study.
It comes as Martin Lewis from MoneySavingExpert has warned travellers 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,’ Lewis 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.’
