Lost passport figures highlight travel insurance necessity
Over half a million British travellers lose or have their passports stolen every year when they go away, new research has found.
Data released from Halifax Travel Insurance found the astonishing figure, highlighting the importance of making sure travel insurance is taken out by holidaymakers before they jet off on a break.
The cost of the lost passports is set to cost an estimated £389 million a year, the study claims, and the expense goes beyond that of just replacing the lost item.
Holidaymakers on average have to extend their breaks by three days at a cost of £131 per person because of rescheduled flights and extra accommodation.
Some 12 per cent of passports are believed to be lost at airports, with 11 per cent going missing in hotel rooms.
"Losing your passport abroad is a guaranteed nightmare and we always advise taking several photocopies of the back page with you, just in case something happens to you," Halifax Travel Insurance's Paul Birkhead commented.
"Of course if you have a decent travel insurance policy then it is likely that much of the expense will be covered by your insurer."