How soon do I need to make a claim if something goes wrong?

Forgetting items: if you misplace your items or leave them on your plane or in your hotel room after your check out, your travel insurer won’t cover their replacement.
Leaving items unattended: keep your eyes on your personal items at all times. If you take your eyes off your belongings and they’re nabbed, your insurer won’t pay for their replacement.
Checked-in luggage: many travel insurance providers won’t cover the cost of replacing valuable items such as mobile phones or jewellery which are packed in your check-in luggage and held in the cargo on your transport.
Mechanical failure: if your mobile phone suffers some mechanical faults or goes on the blink while travelling, it’s up to you to fix it.
Screen or water damage: has your tablet device taken a swim in the hotel pool? Unfortunately, most insurers won't pay for water damage or cracked screens.
Sporting equipment in use: fancy a hit of golf or a sport of surfing while you’re on your break? If you break your clubs or board while taking part in your chosen sport, your insurer is unlikely to pay for their replacement.
Already being reimbursed: if your plane, train or bus operator has already agreed to give you a refund for your lost devices, you won’t be able to double-dip with your insurer.

Certain travel insurance providers require you to file a claim 24 hours after the incident. It’s best to make a claim as soon as possible, so the details of the incident are fresh in your memory.

How else do I compare travel insurance?

It’s not always about what you’re taking with you when comparing travel insurance . Make sure you compare the following: Whether you need basic or comprehensive insurance The prices of premiums Value of excesses Inclusions and exclusions (including pre-existing medical conditions) Any extra coverage if you’re planning to participate in high-risk activities

Are drones covered under personal item travel insurance?

Yes – if you're using a drone on your holidays to capture a bird's eye view of your destination, your travel insurance can cover any costs if lost, stolen or damaged. However, you will likely have to pay a higher premium to cover these forms of expensive technology, as the cost of a drone can reach $10, 000 in most cases.

Am I covered if my bags are stolen from a storage facility?

Yes – you’re covered if a thief swipes your bags while they are under lock and key in a secure storage facility. This includes if your baggage is stolen from a locker. Most insurers will require proof of forced entry to back up your claim.

What happens if I’m travelling with a personal item of high value?

Whether you’re taking a trip with your brand-new laptop or some treasured jewellery, insurers allow you to take out optional cover to protect single articles. Claim limits for these unspecified items can be anywhere between $750 and $1, 500, while you may be able to claim up to $3, 000 if you lose your laptop or similar electronic device. If what you’re taking is worth more than the sub-limits, you can sometimes pay a bit extra to increase these. However, there are still caps between $5, 000 and $10, 000 on what you can claim.