Worst-case Scenario: Leaving Valuables Behind in a Taxi

Here’s a worst-case scenario we recently read about: an exhausted traveler stumbles off  the plane and hails the first taxi available to get to their hotel. The driver speeds through unfamiliar crowded streets and zips into the over-crowded hotel drop-off area. A few porters rush to lay claim to the traveler’s things. As the taxi dashes down the street and around the corner, the traveler realized they left their camera and laptop on the backseat.

Ouch!

4 Steps to Avoid Leaving Your Valuables in a Taxi

The following are the top recommended steps to avoiding leaving your valuables behind in a taxi:

1. The first rule is to stay aware when you’re getting out of the taxi. Sometimes when you arrive, your car may be surrounded by beggars, noisy street vendors, and other distractions. Stay aware, gather your things carefully, and don’t get out of the taxi until after you have collected your belongings, paid the driver, and taken a good look around. That will help you exit the taxi with your things safely.
2. Opt for official taxis over the less expensive operators. Not only is this safer, but it helps with tracking down lost items. Often, your hotel will have a preferred taxi service which may help in finding lost items for guests. Give them a call from the airport to find out – they may even be able to send the cab to you.
3. Label all your gear with return information. After all, good people do exist and they may be willing to contact the phone number and connect with you to exchange it. Or, they may be willing to mail it to you or leave it at your hotel.
4. Tip your driver. This can help you stay in their good graces and they may even turn around and bring the item back to you once it’s discovered.

Remember that many travel insurance plans have baggage coverage for lost, stolen, or destroyed items up to certain limits. Expensive items like jewelry, laptops, sports equipment, and cameras may be scheduled on your homeowner’s or special property policy, which means you’ll have coverage for items that cost more than the baggage coverage limits. See the limits of baggage coverage by plan and company.