Previously, I wrote some tips about keeping your home safe while traveling. But, what about your stuff that you take with you on the road? Over the years, I’ve developed a few travel hacks that I use to keep my things safe, especially since I typically bring my laptop and camera equipment with me. You’ll be relieved to know it doesn’t involve fanny packs or those uncomfortable around the neck under your shirt thingies. Instead, I’ve collaborated with MetLife Home & Auto to come up with 5 tips to keep your stuff safe that are easy to do and will give you peace of mind while traveling.
1 – Secure Your Passport
Of all the things you can replace if they get lost or stolen, this little thing is the one that would probably cause you the most headaches. First, before you travel, I’d email yourself and a close family member a copy of your passport to have on hand in case it does get lost or stolen. However, to help prevent that from happening, I’d keep in locked safely in your hotel room so that if your day pack gets left behind at a restaurant or inside the back of a taxi, at least you have this document in a secure place. I also include the 800 numbers to my credit cards in that email in case I need to call and report them lost or stolen.
2 – Use Your Suitcase As A Safe
I’ve come across a few hotel safes that are only big enough to lock away my passport and extra credit card, but not my laptop or other electronics. When this happens, I lock my laptop and bigger items in my suitcase. Yes, a suitcase is mobile and someone could walk away with it, but I figure that would have to be one brave thief to take something as big and conspicuous as a whole suitcase. And a whole suitcase is definitely a big enough item to notice on hotel security cameras. There’s no hiding that one in your coat pocket, that’s for sure.
3 – Trade Your Camera Bag For A Regular One
Nothing screams, “Take me, I’m valuable!” as loudly as a laptop or camera bag. Instead, I used padded laptop sleeves and padded camera pouches to protect my electronics, but I stow those away in normal everyday-looking bags. I also recommend using cross body or messenger bags with zip up enclosures to deter pickpockets and petty theft in busy places like airports and train stations.
4 – Add Your Contact Information To All Bags And Big Electronics
I do believe most people in the world have good intentions, and if you accidentally leave something behind they will want to return it to you. Have your contact information (address, cell phone, and email) on all of your bags, including your day pack, and tape your business card to the bottom of your laptop. I also write, “If lost, please return to ________ for a reward” on my tags for encouragement.
5 – Find Out What Is Covered By Your Insurance
Check to see what is covered by your homeowners or renters insurance. Most policies cover up to a certain amount for items stolen away from the home. I also highly recommend getting traveler’s insurance too as it will cover additional things like your out-of-pocket cost to replace your items while traveling as well as medical coverage and costs incurred if your trip is delayed or canceled.
Do you know what your home or renters insurance policy covers? If so, comment below as MetLife will giveaway $100 to one lucky reader selected randomly from the comments below! A commenter will be selected on Friday, August 15, 2014. (This giveaway has ended)
Denise, you were randomly selected on Random.org as the winner of the $100 gift card! Congrats!
For more helpful tips from MetLife, take a look at Are You Covered If Your Luggage Is Stolen and take these precautions while traveling.
“I am currently a member of the MetLife Auto & Home Insurance Blogger Program and this post is part of my involvement. While MetLife has provided me with materials and necessary resources to complete various activities, all statements and sentiment in The Travel Bite are my own.”
I have no idea what my insurance covers, but I’ll be sure to look it up before my next trip!
I didn’t know that my insurance would cover travel related left. Now I have to look at it.
My insurance covers anything lost or stolen but I have a deductible that would have to be applied.
Thanks, Rachelle! Great advice. I got ripped off once while traveling — but there won’t be a second time.
GREAT advice! I have NO idea what my insurance covers…I definitely need to find out!
Hmm- I never thought about insurance covering things stolen during travel, besides the obvious jewelry. Thanks for the reminder!
These are GREAT tips!
I had no idea it covered trips, thanks for the info. I have a trip to new york coming up. the gift card would be a great addition to my trip!
I gave up my apartment and renters insurance when I decided to travel indefinitely! So I had to buy special travel insurance that covers a lost/stolen baggage as well as trip interruptions or cancellations!
I have also read that people who try really hard to keep their stuff protected (like money belts) and special cases, are targeted more. I just make sure I am very aware of what I am carrying and wear it is at all times!
I agree. The moneybelts and such make you look like a tourist. You’ve gotta try and fit in and blend with the locals.
Great tips! Just as I would expect from my travel soul sister!!! Definitely a great idea to check out what my insurance covers!
Always the Travel Guru! Thank you for these great tips and tricks 🙂 Now, I have to book a trip …hmmmm…Aruba? Belize? or, India?
Belize! Great food. Lots of great beaches too. 🙂
All home owner cover your “stuff” BUT it all about the deductible that is set when you buy the policy…and special/expensive stuff need it own “rider”on the policy. My experience …
Nice trips.These are all very common and necessary for travelling.It’s all about our safety. According to me, Orange Beach Condominiums is the one of the best place for vacation. It’s a more safety from other destination.
I actually don’t have a home so no home owners policy! However I do use a personal articles policy to insure my camera/lenses and computer equipment – it is a great solution!
My husband keeps track of what’s covered my our home insurance. It’s good to know that MetLife Auto & Home homeowners or renters policy may cover personal property stolen from your car and hotel room.
Congrats Denise! You were randomly selected as the winner. Expect news in your inbox soon.
Rachelle
Woohoo! Thanks!
Great article! I especially agree with having bags that don’t resemble ones that scream camera or computer!
I have a special business insurance policy that covers all of my camera equipment and computer stuff- anything that’s truly valuable that I can’t travel without I make sure to get additional coverage for- better to have too much than not enough.
Good advice. I’m about to embark on my 2nd time across South East Asia. The first time I didn’t take any electronics with me, other than my mobile phone, yet I got my emergency credit card stolen from my bag 3 days before my trip ended after 4 months of traveling!
It sucked, as it was stolen while it was inside the hotel, sitting in my room!
This time I’m planning to take my laptop and camera equipment. I’m going to invest in some nice locks.
Such a good idea to trade in your camera bag for a normal bag that does not scream ‘I’m expensive’. Thanks!
Great Rachelle Lucas
I liked Your blog 5 Ways To Keep Your Stuff Safe While Traveling. As these are the things which person neglects every time while traveling but hope this post will help them.Thanks for the post.
#3 is intriguing. I usually carry a backpack. One drawback is that a thief could sneak up behind and slice the bottom. Therefore, a travel agent friend recommends placing a thick book or other hard item in the bottom of the backpack. But, I’m intrigued by the messenger bag idea. May look into that.
As for other protection: I’m a big fan of money pouches. They’re tough to access, to be sure, but that means your money, passport, and anything else are even more secure. I also like cargo-style pants and shorts. I keep stuff in the front pockets (back pockets are always more prone to theft).
Good column, Rachelle.
Its so important to read all the small print of your travel insurance. We had our passports and camera equipment stolen out of our car, only to be told they would only cover passports if they were stolen out of a locked safe, and only $500 of anything else. We needed up being way out of pocket.
These are great tips. Thanks. Keep on your writing.
Such a good idea to trade in your camera bag for a normal bag that does not scream ‘I’m expensive’. Thanks!
Great tips, it will surely help to save your stuff. I generally make a list of items that I am going to take while travelling and always keep that checklist whenever I am checking in or checking out of a hotel it helps me to keep track of my stuff might look silly but it helps.
This is a fantastic blog, thank you for all the good tips on here! I started keeping a travel blog to log my photos and experiences as a backpacker a couple months ago. If you have a spare minute, check out my blog and let me know if you have any travel blogging advice to give!
http://getlostandbefound.com/
I was aware of it while opening my insurance. it covers any incident during traveling. Thanks for sharing those important infos!
Thanks for your more important travel tips. Actually i don’t so much careful about travel insurance. from this article i realize that, For a travel lover it is so much important.
Thank you for the information. Was a Good read.
Number 5 has got to be the most neglected. From experience, getting travel insurance has saved me many times from otherwise dire situations. Traveling is fun but it is full of surprises so do yourself a favor and get travel insurance.