What To Do When You Lose Your Wallet While Travelling

October 13th, 2014  |  Travel Insurance

There is perhaps no worse feeling than the realization that you have lost your wallet. Reaching into your pocket or purse only to realize your wallet is gone will make your heart drop right into your stomach. It’s a helpless feeling, and something that will cause even the most seasoned travellers to panic and consume themselves with anxiety and thoughts of doom and gloom.

You have A lot to Lose!

There is no doubt that this is one of the scariest thing that can happen to you when travelling is losing your wallet. Think of all the important things you could carry in your wallet:

• Passport
• Money, bank cards, and credit cards
• Traveller cheques and gift cards
• Driver license and health cards
• Birth certificate 
• Social insurance card

No one wants to lose any of these things while travelling, let alone at any time. This is why it’s recommended to only carry with you the items you need when travelling. As they say – don’t travel with anything that you cannot afford to lose (Minus the travel documents you need for your trip, of course!)

I’ve Lost my Wallet – Now What?

1. Take a deep breath and try not to panic!
2. Where was the last place you remember having your wallet?
3. Retrace your steps and think about where you have been 
4. Check your hotel room, rental car and call around to the places you have visited recently
5. Take inventory of the documents and piece of identification you have lost
6. Call you credit card company right away
7. Call your travel insurance provider – They may be able to help you out with your situation – Also check out What Could Happen Without Travel Insurance? A Lot
8. Contact the Canadian embassy – They will be able to help you start the recovery process and provide you with the paperwork you need to get home. 

Be One Step Ahead – Taking a Proactive Approach to Travelling

Losing your wallet or having it stolen is something that can and will happen to people when travelling. This is why you need to be one step ahead and think proactively about what to do should you lose your wallet or other important pieces of identify or travel documents. 

Here is what you do:

• Make copies of everything – passport, driver’s license, travel documents, and anything else you cannot do without.
• Have emergency contact numbers handy – This will ensure you won’t have to waste time trying to get a phone number or figure out who to call
• Learn what you will have to do to replace your wallet ahead of time
• Don’t carry all of your cash in your wallet – This will minimize the financial impact of losing your wallet. Plus, it prevents you from being in a foreign country with no cash!

Being prepared for anything when travelling is important. Have you ever lost your wallet or identification when travelling? What steps did you have to take to recover these important documents? What measures do you take to ensure you don’t lose your wallet when travelling?