Does Travel Insurance Cover Lost Passport?
Check if your travel insurance policy offers coverage for a lost passport. Also, learn the steps to take and what expenses are typically covered.
What happens if I Lost My Passport While Traveling?
Any Traveler’s worst fear has to be losing their important documents, such as a Passport while traveling. Unfortunately, this situation is not as uncommon as one may think. According to Skift, an average of 600,000 passports are lost or stolen every year. If you are wondering, does travel insurance cover lost passports, the answer depends on your travel insurance provider and their policies.
Although this situation might be alarming, it actually is not that difficult to obtain a new passport to return home. It is manageable with the right steps and appropriate travel insurance coverage.
What to Do If Your Passport is Lost or Stolen While Traveling
When you visit a foreign country, it is very common that you get intrigued by the new environment and forget about important things around you. It is that negligent moment that might further result in theft or losing your important documents. And if you leave your passport unattended, your overall travel itinerary can be disturbed. However, you can take some quick action to help you resolve the situation.
Please follow these basic steps to know what you need to do.
- First, report the incident to the local authorities. Proceed to a local police station or the nearest embassy or consulate to report a missing passport. Share the details of how your passport is lost or stolen. These authorities will be able to provide you with a report that you will need for the replacement of your passport. Please note that a police report is not mandatory but can help confirm your circumstances and guide you on the next steps to take to secure a new passport.
- Have documentation on hand that proves your identity (i.e., Drivers License, State Issued ID, Birth Certificate, copy of your passport).
- Proceed to the embassy or consular office closest to your location, present the documents mentioned above, and fill out the passport replacement form. You will also have to pay a passport replacement fee; costs may vary.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Lost or Stolen Passport
In general, a travel insurance policy includes the benefits for lost or stolen passports during travel. However, checking your travel insurance benefits before starting your journey will give you a clear picture.
You must check if your travel insurance claim includes the cost of reimbursement during the process of replacement, excess claim fee, or covered reasons such as theft, accidental loss, or more. With travel insurance, you can get assistance in finding a nearby consulate or embassy. You can also get coverage for trip delays, cancellations, or missed connections that might occur because of a lost passport.
Tips to Avoid Losing Your Passport
Your travel plans can turn into a nightmare when you lose your passport. So, it is vital to take some precautionary measures to keep your passport, money, credit or debit card, and other important documents safe during your journey. Here are some of the ways that you can follow to avoid losing your passport.
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Consider using a passport cover as it protects from getting damaged.
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Use a locked bag or a dedicated folder to secure your passport and other important documents.
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Stay cautious in public places and maintain reasonable care to prevent theft.
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Purchase a travel insurance policy that covers lost or stolen passports, trip cancellations, and coverage for travel expenses or unexpected events that might occur because of losing your passport.
At AXA, we want to make this situation easier for our customers. We offer 24/7 assistance to our customers in case your passport is lost or stolen.
AXA’s Travel Insurance include assistance services to help you in these unfortunate and emergency situations. Please don’t delay and obtain your Free travel protection quote today.
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Speak with one of our licensed representatives or our 24/7 multilingual insurance advisors to find the coverage you need for your next trip. Contact Here
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