The matter in summary Norwegians often take large valuables with them on holiday, which makes them attractive targets for criminals. Insurance companies receive claims of over NOK 400 million annually due to theft. Tourism expert Odd Roar Lange warns against bringing expensive valuables and encourages people to be more careful. Sigmund Clementz in If Europeiske Reiseforsikring and Arne Voll in Gjensidige give advice on how to avoid theft on holiday, including by considering what you actually need to take with you, using a safe in the hotel room, and being careful about publicly showing that you have money. Fraud is not covered by travel insurance. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Norwegians often take large amounts of valuables with them when they holiday abroad, and can act as a magnet for criminals. Many people want to wear their expensive watch and fine jewelery when they go out to eat in Rome, and leave their mobile phone in their beach bag when they go swimming in Barcelona. – When we go on holiday abroad, we pack far too many things with us. Then there is often no room for common sense. There are many Norwegians who look like a walking ATM when they are out and about, says tourism expert and journalist Odd Roar Lange. Last year, a total of 131,000 claims worth NOK 438 million were reported to the insurance industry as a result of theft or loss of luggage, according to figures from Finance Norway. – Those who want to deceive us are very creative, says Odd Roar Lange. He asks people to think about the holidays. Photo: Annabelle Kårvåg Sørensen / news – We cover the stupidity Mobile phones, expensive watches and jewelery are among the things that disappear when travelling. Lange believes that we bring habits from home with us when we go on holiday. – We can put down the phone at the coffee table when we go to buy some more coffee. Laying down 10,000-12,000 on a cafe table, which is the value of a phone, is asking for a beating. The travel expert believes Norwegians are easy to distract, easy to deceive and asks people to be more careful and observant. – We probably have a little too good travel insurance conditions in Norway, which means that even if we do this stupidity, we will get it covered. – I say thank you to Odd Roar on behalf of the insurance industry because yes, we have very good travel insurance coverage in Norway. Nevertheless, you must also do what you can to avoid theft, says Sigmund Clementz, who is press manager at If Europeiske Reiseforsikring. – To show that you are Norwegian on holiday is to show that you are interesting to criminals, says Sigmund Clementz in If. Photo: Press photo – Fraud is not covered by insurance, but theft is among the most common claims we receive on travel insurance, and they often happen in big cities and on beach holidays, says Clementz. He completely agrees with Odd Roar Lange that northern European tourists become an easy target, and showing that you are Norwegian means that criminal fraudsters become interested. Tips and tricks to avoid theft Sigmund Clementz in If European Travel Insurance’s advice to avoid theft during the summer holidays: Make an assessment of what you need to take with you on holiday. Is it necessary to walk around with expensive watches and jewelry? When you arrive at the hotel, it is advisable to use the safe in the room. However, remember to close the veranda door when you go to have breakfast. Especially if you live on the first floor. Norwegian passports are worth a lot, and are sold on the black market. Take good care of it. Take as little as possible to the beach, and don’t leave your things. It is a good idea to have bags on the inside of your clothes with passports and valuables. Think about where you have your mobile phone on your body. Never carry it in your back pocket. Make sure not to open your handbag unnecessarily. Especially in queues. Tips and advice from Arne Voll in Gjensidige: Never leave luggage, bags or purses unattended. Lock valuables in the safe in the hotel room. Take only the essentials out. Be careful not to show in public that you are carrying expensive equipment, watches and jewellery. Never take more than a credit card with you when you go out to eat or shop. Don’t make too much of the fact that you are from Norway. Leave backpacks with the Norwegian flag at home. Take extra care of things when there are large crowds of people and great crowding. Check that the travel insurance is OK before the holiday starts. Barcelona in Spain is among the cities that are prone to theft. Photo: Joan Mateu / AP Have you been the victim of theft or fraud on holiday? Yes, I have been cheated several times 😕 No, I’m always on guard! Mobile phone and cash are well hidden 😎 Not that I’m aware of, at least🤔 Show result Several cases in recent months Fraud and the fact that you “just” forget something somewhere are not covered by the insurance, but the insurance companies receive many inquiries about theft. – During the last summer months alone, Gjensidige has received reports of several cases of robbery and theft by Norwegians on holiday abroad, says Arne Voll, communications manager at Gjensidige. – Many operate in teams and are more together. At the same time, some of the thieves are so cunning that they can almost do magic, says Arne Voll, communications manager at Gjensidige. At the same time, he warns that these are trickier and ruder than ever. Especially many cases have been reported from the big cities of Barcelona, Rome and Paris. – Most thefts happen when you travel in public places where there is a lot of crowding. Therefore, be extra vigilant on buses, train stations, markets and when visiting restaurants and cafes. Many operate in teams and are more together, says Voll. – Considering how dependent many people are on their mobile phone, many people are very careless about where they keep it. So if you’re reading this story while sitting at a cafe table in warmer climates – be careful where you put it down 🙂 Published 23/07/2024, at 05.01
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I think Norwegians on holiday become a magnet for criminals
