Whether you’re heading abroad to spend Christmas on a beach, or travelling overseas to spend the holiday period with friends or family, a huge number of people who are travelling from the UK in December will be carrying Christmas gifts in their luggage. This can cause all sorts of problems with airport security and with loss, and it’s important to think about what you’re packing, and how you’re packing it before you leave home.
Luggage Security
Theft from luggage at UK airports is not an issue to worry about, but the same cannot be said about other airports around the world. It’s something to consider when you’re packing expensive gifts in your checked-in luggage – can your bag be padlocked? Are there other security features on your bag which would make it difficult to get into? Is it worth investing in one of those wrapping services available at airports for added peace of mind? There are no right and wrong answers, so think about the types of gifts you’re packing, their value, and the cost of buying new suitcases or padlocks. It may be better to leave the expensive gifts behind to exchange once you’re home, if practical.
Know Your Excess, Terms and Conditions
Most of us take out a travel insurance policy when going overseas, and many assume that gifts will be covered against theft or damage. Most policies set both an excess, and may ask for expensive items to be listed separately. They may also set a total claim amount for all valuables, so if you are taking lots of gadgets, jewellery and other expensive gifts, you may have to pay extra for additional insurance. Check any exclusions from policies too – it is common for insurers to exclude very fragile items like glass or china from any damages claims, and to exclude mobile phone handsets too. Many insurers will insist that valuables are carried with you in cabin baggage rather than checked in, so take time to read your policy. Insurance companies will often insert a clause about “reasonable care” in policies, so you must take responsibility for looking after your items, protecting them properly and not leaving them unattended.
Bringing Gifts Home
No insurance policy is going to cover the loss or damage of items which don’t belong to you, and this can be problematic when returning home with gifts which have been given to you as you are unlikely to have receipts. If you are given valuable gifts, keep them with you wherever possible rather than checking them in and if you are worried about getting them home in one piece, consider a separate courier service from one of the major providers which will let you insure your items fully during their journey. Insurance companies also have the right to have damaged items sent to them for inspection before paying out on the policy, so never throw broken items away before a claim is settled. Taking photographs of expensive items before packing them away is a good idea too.