Here’s something most people never think to check until it’s too late.
If you have renters or homeowners insurance back home, that personal property coverage can follow you — covering your belongings even when they’re stolen out of your car or while you’re traveling. That means your laptop, camera, or phone ripped off in a foreign city might not be a total loss.
Many homeowners and renters policies will at least partly cover your travel property, but how much you get back depends on your specific insurance carrier and your exact policy. Some policies cover the full replacement value. Others only cover a percentage. Some items — like jewelry or expensive electronics — might have a lower cap than you’d expect. And keep in mind: if your deductible is higher than what was stolen, filing a claim may not make financial sense.
So what should you actually do? Before any trip abroad, call your insurance company and ask two things: does my policy cover theft while traveling internationally, and are there any limits or exclusions on specific items I’m bringing? Takes ten minutes. Could save you thousands.
One more thing worth knowing: if you’re crashing with a roommate and relying on their renters insurance, don’t. Their policy only covers their stuff, not yours. You’d need your own policy for any of this to apply to you. (If you’re under 18 and still on your parent’s homeowners policy, call them and ask — you may already be covered.)