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Take a deep breath…1,2,3,4. Ok, your passport and valuables were lost or stolen while you’re abroad. Before you declare your holiday ruined, follow the next few steps to recover your travel documents and your vacation with minimal fuss.
- First up, call your travel insurance company. Different companies may have slightly varied requirements, so get a detailed list of what you need to make a claim. They may also be able to help direct you to your nearest embassy.
- The first thing the insurance company will likely ask for if your passport and/or other valuables were stolen, is a police report. File a report as soon as possible and make sure you get a copy.
- Gather up all your critical information including any copies of your documents that you made. You did do that right? If you didn’t file this pre-travel checklist for your next overseas trip.
- Cancel any credit/debit cards that were stolen, right away, by calling that bank that issued the cards. You will probably need to provide them with the card type, number, primary and secondary cardholder names, billing address.
- Find your closest embassy and begin the process of replacing your passport.
- Do you have enough money to get you through until your cards are replaced? This could take 2-3 weeks if you are travelling outside your home country. In case you don’t have enough funds, have a friend or family member wire you money through Western Union.
- Begin to replace your travel documents such as tickets and passes.
- Reschedule your travel plans as required due to your lack of passport and to accommodate a future embassy visit to collect your new passport.
- Contact your insurer about replacing any other valuables lost or stolen including cameras and electronic devices.
- Did you lose any medicines/prescriptions? Contact your doctor at home to have a replacement prescription emailed or faxed to you, so you can have it filled locally.
- Contact your rental car company to replace your key if it has been lost/stolen also.
- Before you continue on your way, make sure you read these important travel security tips every globetrotter should know.
Even if you aren’t currently in this situation, it doesn’t hurt to know what to do if you lose your passport abroad. Why not pin this post for later or share it with someone who will find it useful?
Peace, love & inspiring travel,
Madam ZoZo