One in seven have lost their passport

• One  in seven (15 per cent) have lost their passport in last five years
• 40 per cent of lost or stolen passports are not recovered by their owner
   

New research* from Direct Line Travel Insurance reveals the prevalence of losing passports, with over one in seven holidaymakers having lost theirs over the last five years, despite it arguably being the most important item they pack. The figure rises for those aged between 18 and 34, with almost a third (32 per cent) of this group having lost or had their passport stolen.

The study also shows that one in seven (14 per cent) lost passports go missing on holiday, posing travellers with inevitable stress, hassle and potential complications returning home. When a passport disappears, it could be gone for good, as two fifths (40 per cent) of holidaymakers, who lost or had their passports stolen, did not get it back.

The figures are further contextualised by figures which show an apparent relaxed attitude to security whilst on holiday, as nearly a quarter (23 per cent) have or would ask a stranger to watch their belongings by a pool abroad, even though more than one in ten (11 per cent) have lost or had at least one item stolen whilst on holiday in the last five years.

Figure 1: Table showing the top 10 items stolen or lost on holiday

The survey also revealed that jewellery was the second most common item to go missing on holiday, with 13 per cent of those who have lost jewellery or had it stolen experiencing so whilst on holiday. Of those people who had lost items on holiday over the last five years, 30 per cent had lost jewellery. However, it was much less likely to turn up again, as only 38 per cent of lost jewellery was returned to its owner, perhaps due to the lack of distinguishable features that could identify the owner.

Tom Bishop, head of travel insurance at Direct Line, said: “The research shows that losing a passport is not as uncommon as we may think, even though without them, travellers may find their well-earned holiday plans are brought to a grinding halt. Holidaymakers should take extra care of their valuables once they are abroad, especially their passports, as losing these in a foreign country can be very distressing”.

Notes to editors

* Research conducted by Opinium among 2,006 UK adults between 17th and 19th of June 2014. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.

For further information please contact:

Chloe French

Media Relations Executive

chloe.french@directlinegroup.co.uk

01651 831 715

07770 640 865

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

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