Lost luggage abroad could cost you £1.5k without travel insurance.
Learn how to protect your valuables when travelling abroad. And why it pays to buy travel insurance before you go on holiday.
Published: 12 November 2025
Why it's important to have travel insurance
Nearly a third of Brits (32%) have lost belongings or had things stolen while travelling abroad. That's according to our latest research*. And, without the right cover in place, thousands of travellers could be left out of pocket on their next trip.
Here, we’ll give you the key facts and figures to think about. Plus, some practical tips to help you protect your valuables while travelling abroad.
Travel insurance can cover the cost of lost, stolen or damaged items. And that can give you peace of mind, both before your holiday and while you’re away.
Lost luggage: a common worry when travelling
Going on holiday should be an exciting time. But for many Brits, the stress starts before they even reach the airport.
Our survey found that 85% of UK travellers felt anxious before their big trip. The most common concerns being:
- 26% were worried about losing their passport or other important documents26% were worried about losing their passport or other important documents
- 22% were worried about having valuable items stolen - like their wallet, phone or camera22% were worried about having valuable items stolen - like their wallet, phone or camera
- 20% were worried about losing luggage20% were worried about losing luggage
These worries aren’t just emotional either - they can hit your wallet hard as well.
The cost of replacing lost or stolen items
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most valuable items lost while travelling and how much it typically costs to replace them.
As you’ll see, it soon adds up. And if you don’t have travel insurance to cover the costs, it can leave you seriously out of pocket.
|
Item |
Average replacement cost |
|---|---|
|
Phone |
£495.10 |
|
Luggage |
£411.20 |
|
Camera |
£376.30 |
|
Passport/ID |
£289.10 |
In total, it could cost you more than £1,500 to replace lost luggage and the kind of things that we all take on holiday. And that’s where holiday cover can help.
No reason not to have travel insurance
The best way to avoid all that worry is to make sure you have the right travel insurance before you go on holiday. Yet, our research also found that:
- 1 in 4 (27%) UK travellers think 'small issues' aren’t worth claiming for1 in 4 (27%) UK travellers think 'small issues' aren’t worth claiming for
- 1 in 6 (17%) UK travellers think they only need travel insurance for expensive trips1 in 6 (17%) UK travellers think they only need travel insurance for expensive trips
The reality is that even a short trip to Europe can result in lost items and unexpected costs. And having the right holiday cover can help to protect you from the stress and expense of it all, no matter where you're headed.
What type of travel insurance should you get?
Worried about losing your luggage? The key to a stress-free trip is travel insurance. But choosing the right type of travel insurance doesn't just depend on the type of trip you're taking, it depends on the kind of traveller you are.
With Tesco Travel Insurance, you have 3 options:
- Single Trip Travel InsuranceSingle Trip Travel Insurance
- Annual Multi Trip Travel InsuranceAnnual Multi Trip Travel Insurance
- Backpacker Travel InsuranceBackpacker Travel Insurance
We also have a range of optional extras - like Gadget Cover, Cruise Cover and Winter Sports Cover - so you can get more cover to suit your needs.
For more information about the different types of travel insurance, see our guide: What type of travel insurance should I get?
What our specialists say
"Lost or missing items can quickly turn a dream holiday into a nightmare, so it’s no surprise it’s a top concern for many travellers. The best way to stay protected is to plan ahead: invest in tracking devices like AirTags, secure your luggage properly, and ensure your travel insurance covers your belongings - including gadgets - from the moment you book."
Alex Cross, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Insurance
How to protect your valuables while travelling
Here’s Alex’s top tips to help you take care of your valuables and stay stress-free on your next trip.
Use tracking devices and secure your suitcases
- Attach AirTags or something similar to your luggage, handbag or valuables. And track them using your phone if they go missing.Attach AirTags or something similar to your luggage, handbag or valuables. And track them using your phone if they go missing.
- Use sturdy padlocks on any luggage you’re going to check in.Use sturdy padlocks on any luggage you’re going to check in.
- Keep valuables in a small bag you keep with you, not in overhead lockers. This includes your passport, wallet and portable devices.Keep valuables in a small bag you keep with you, not in overhead lockers. This includes your passport, wallet and portable devices.
Make sure you’re covered
Buy your travel insurance when you book your trip to cover cancellations or illness before you go on holiday.
Read your policy documents carefully and check:
- what’s covered for loss or theftwhat’s covered for loss or theft
- any single item limitsany single item limits
- how much excess you have to pay if you make a claimhow much excess you have to pay if you make a claim
Knowing exactly what you’re covered for helps to avoid surprises if you need to make a claim. If you’re struggling to understand your policy documents, you’ll find some of the key terms explained in our handy travel insurance glossary.
Digitise important documents
To make it easier to replace lost documents, take photos of them with your phone. This includes your:
- passportpassport
- visa (if needed)visa (if needed)
- driver’s licensedriver’s license
- travel insurance detailstravel insurance details
Save copies to the cloud, or send them to a trusted contact, in case you lose your phone.
Keep emergency contacts to hand
Write down important phone numbers, like:
- your airlineyour airline
- your hotelyour hotel
- the travel insurance helplinethe travel insurance helpline
- the local embassy or consulate where you’re going on holidaythe local embassy or consulate where you’re going on holiday
Keep this list on paper, somewhere safe, in case your phone gets lost.
Decide if you need Gadget Cover
If you need to take gadgets on holiday, make sure you've got enough cover for them.
If you buy Tesco Travel Insurance, it might be worth adding Gadget Cover to your policy for an additional cost. It can give you cover up to £3,000 in case your phone, tablet and other devices are lost, stolen or damaged.
How to make a Travel Insurance claim
If you have Tesco Travel insurance, find out how to make a claim and what to expect from us when you do.
Important information
Tesco Travel Insurance is arranged and administered by Rock Insurance Services Limited and underwritten by AWP P&C S.A. Gadget Cover is underwritten by AmTrust Specialty Limited (AmTrust).
You'll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.
About our research
*An online survey was conducted by WALR between 30 May and 6 June 2025, with a sample of 5,005 UK residents aged 18+. All participants had either:
- taken at least one holiday abroad in the past 18 monthstaken at least one holiday abroad in the past 18 months
or
- planned to take a holiday abroad in the next 18 monthsplanned to take a holiday abroad in the next 18 months
Data was collected in line with MRS (Market Research Society) and ESOMAR guidelines to ensure ethical and accurate data collection.
Learn more about Travel Insurance
Compare our holiday cover for your next big adventure. Choose Tesco Travel Insurance and save money with your Clubcard when you buy direct.