Tips To Help Deal With Theft During Your Travels
Even the most experienced and cautious traveler can get into trouble during his or her trip. Losing your money, credit cards, traveler’s checks and documents can be inconvenient, but these unfortunate events shouldn’t turn your trip into a disaster. Follow these steps to bounce back and enjoy the rest of your trip.
The first step when your documents or any of your valuables are stolen is to file a police report. It will help you to get replacement credit cards, traveler’s checks or passports and it is a must if you want to file an insurance claim. The police may even be able to direct you to a tourist office where they can further assist you.
Your second step is to replace your passport. You need to visit a US Embassy or Consulate personally to get your travel documents replaced. Save time by filling out the required forms online in advance. Be prepared to pay about $140 for your new documents. If you are unable to, the Embassy staff can contact your friends or relatives at home and ask them to wire the required fees directly to the Embassy.
Don’t forget to cancel your debit and credit cards. Most banks limit your liability to $50 so you don’t have to worry about the thousands of dollars stolen from your accounts. Call your banks or Visa, Master Card and American Express directly. They can replace your cards in 2-3 days and they may even be able to help you out with some emergency cash.
Your other documents may not be so easy to replace. European Rail Passes are usually non-replaceable, so you have to buy a new pass. In most cases individual railway tickets can be reprinted and used like the old ones.
Rearrange your travel plans. As it takes time to replace your passport and your credit cards, you most likely need to change your itinerary. Call the airlines and hotels as soon as you can to avoid rebooking charges or cancellation fees. Explain your situation so the representatives might be able to wave all the fees you were supposed to pay otherwise.
Call your family and friends and inform them about what’s happening to you. To avoid panic at home, try to call them before the authorities contact them. Explain your situation, calm them down and tell them what they might need to do to help you.
Contact your rental car company if your car key is among the lost items. Be prepared for some delays as replacing the keys may last for a few days and unfortunately it won’t be cheap either.
Replace the most important items from your travel gear. Don’t buy everything as it will be expensive and you may not get reimbursed for them. Buy the most important items and save all the receipts if you wish to file an insurance claim.
Traveling abroad can help you to visit exotic places and learn about and experience different cultures. Unfortunately, bad things can happen to everybody. Use caution and the above tips to make your trip a success.
