What should travel agents do to help clients keep their valuables safe?

“Travel insurance doesn’t always cover lost, stolen or damaged electronics devices like your mobile phone or laptop, so it’s important to check your description of coverage or call your travel insurance provider if you have questions,” says Bob Chambers, VP of operations at CSA Travel Protection.

CSA Travel Protection provided Travel Agent with these five tips to share with clients:

1. Write down what you packed in your checked baggage or take a picture. This way it’s easier to report it to your travel insurance provider should something get lost or stolen.
2. After you check your bags, be sure to keep an eye on them as they go down the conveyer belt. And when you arrive after your trip, try to get to baggage claim as soon as possible to claim them. This limits the time that someone could take your bag or tamper with it.
3. Protect your electronics devices with proper padding. You can even use your clothes to cushion the impact, but be sure to follow TSA’s regulations so that they can inspect your luggage as needed.
4. Utilize a luggage forwarding service for events where key electronics are critical (eg, business events, trade shows).
5. Consider using a luggage tracking device, CSA Travel Protection’s sister company in Italy offers Lugloc as a service: https://lugloc.com/2016/12/breakthrough-travel-insurance-innovation-launching-ces-2017/
6. If your travel insurance policy doesn’t cover lost, stolen or damaged electronics, then consider leaving them at home or bringing older versions (tablets, E-readers, etc) for travel. Ask yourself if it’s worth the risk. If you do decide to bring them, then back everything up before you go.

“Not wanting to fly because of the electronics ban would not be a covered reason to cancel a trip,” says Director of Communications at Allianz Global Assistance Daniel Durazo. “Travel insurance does include coverage for lost, stolen and damaged baggage, so customers could file a claim related to electronics packed in their baggage and they would be covered up to the limit of their policy.”

“The recently announced ban on tablets, laptops, cameras and other electronics on flights originating from select Middle Eastern gateways is sure to face public backlash as passengers simply don’t trust the airlines to handle delicate electronics,” says Jason Schreier, CEO for APRIL Travel Protection’s Miami-based U.S. headquarters. “Beyond the convenience of accessing personal electronics onboard, many passengers are reluctant to pack these expensive devices in their checked luggage—and with good reason.”

Schreier noted that many travel insurance policies have low reimbursement limited for electronics, and some policies do not cover tablets or laptops.

by Adam Leposa

See full story at www.travelagentcentral.com