Guard Your Possessions - Wherever You Travel!

As you venture off for the long Bank Holiday weekend remember to pack your brains. We went off to Mallorca/Majorca and forgot ours. For travellers who purchase travel insurance thinking it automatically covers everything – we have a sobering lesson to pass on. There are warnings everywhere and everyone knows to watch out for thieves and pickpockets when travelling. It only takes one time to let your guard down for the worst to happen.  We cannot emphasize enough that you should read your insurance policy (wherever you buy it) so that you understand the coverage.  Read the following story and learn from our experience:

Several members of the TIA team have visited Mallorca at different times over the past year.  It is a very beautiful island – particularly the breathtaking scenery of the north-western coast.  We rented a car and toured most of the island, finding each area had its different charms. We chose to take advantage of a great hotel deal in a quiet, secluded location just west of Palma during an off peak time.  The island was not too crowded and we were blessed with warm, sunny weather. We had a lovely, relaxing break, except for one thing…

Being amateur bird-watchers we stopped off at the famous Natural Park at S’Albufera, on the north coast, hoping for a glimpse of a Hoopoe. We parked just off the main road, in an exposed parking area across from a large hotel complex. I put my bag containing many treasured possessions (cash, credit cards, prescription glasses, mobile phone, UK driver’s license, etc.) in the boot and locked it. It was the first time I had let the bag out of my sight, having kept it glued to my side up until that point.  Thank goodness I took my nice digital camera with me on the walk and we had left our passports locked safely away at the hotel.

We were only gone about half an hour because it was getting late.  We returned to find the car door lock broken… Thieves had broken into the car, pulled down the back seats, got into the boot – and stolen my bag. Anyone who has had a similar experience will know the feeling of shock, disbelief – and violation! They also got my treasured and irreplaceable travel journal.  My companion had his mobile phone and wallet with him so we called the TIA office and cancelled my bank cards first.  The bank staff (Lloyds TSB) were extremely helpful and efficient. We learned that within ten minutes of us leaving the car the thieves had gone to a cash machine and tried to use the cards – unsuccessfully. 

To cut a long story short, our holiday was spoilt. We had to deal with Spanish police, not one of whom spoke a word of English and our Spanish was phrase book level (they pointed to a sign saying we’d have to pay for a translator). We wanted to file a police report of the crime as we strongly suspected we knew the spot where we had been targeted and followed and hoped the police would follow up to stop it happening to others, but to no avail.  We then had to find an office of the car rental company to report the damage.  It occurred to us we should also alert our hotel because the thieves had written details of our hotel - and the key card to the room.  It was a nightmare and it left a bad taste, but could have happened anywhere.  We were assured by a nice British lady at the car rental place that it was not the Spanish people robbing us, but very professional gangs of foreigners. They see it all the time…  Not much consolation though.

Needless to say, we had travel insurance!  Here’s the part that may surprise you… The policy does not cover cash or valuables left in an unattended motor vehicle (see policy for definition of Valuables).  Even if locked in the boot!  This is a general rule for all travel insurance policies.  We knew that of course… but we were on holiday. The moral of the tale is never, ever let your guard down for a minute or leave your treasured possessions unattended!  In the general exclusions of our travel insurance policy you are advised against: ‘Your wilful exposure to peril. You must exercise reasonable care to prevent illness, injury or loss or damage to your personal property as if uninsured.’   The rules apply to us too!  We never did see the Hoopoe, but we learned an expensive lesson we’ll never forget. We hope it never happens to you.  Enjoy the weekend – and hang on to your possessions.  Website: www.majorca-mallorca.co.uk.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 4th, 2007 at 11:02 am and is filed under Holiday Destinations, Traveller's Tales .

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