Theft and robbery

Last Updated
Wednesday, 24/09/2025

 

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Knowing the risks before you go

It's traumatic to be robbed or mugged, especially when travelling overseas. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Sometimes things go wrong when you're overseas, and there's nothing you can do about it. But there are things you can do to reduce the risk when you travel.

Some countries have a lot of crime, including robbery and muggings. Petty crime can be common.

Most of these criminals are opportunistic. They look for people who aren't paying attention or who seem easy to steal from, like when they can grab a purse or wallet quickly.

Be careful about your personal security and take care of your belongings.

Before you go

  • Consider leaving expensive items at home. For example, buy a cheap burner phone for the trip.
  • Buy a theft-proof bag for travelling.
  • Get travel insurance.

While you're away

  • Think about leaving valuables in the hotel safe rather than taking them out with you.
  • Keep your belongings and bags close when exploring or in transit. Insurance usually won't cover unattended items.
  • Carry an authenticated copy of travel documents instead of originals, where possible. Lost or stolen passports are a serious issue.
  • Keep money and valuables out of sight. Don't make it obvious that you're carrying items worth stealing.
  • Stay alert in public places. Especially where there are lots of people, including other tourists. For example, airports, public transport, restaurants, beaches, and tourist attractions.

Insurance for theft, robbery, and mugging

Most travel insurance policies can cover your baggage and valuables against loss, damage, or theft.

The amount of cover, in total and per item, can be very different. So can the specific situations where you're covered. Think about how much it will cost to replace everything you take with you on your trip.

Learn more about travel insurance. Also see the travel insurance buying guide (CHOICE).

Stolen property

Insurers can be very specific about whether they'll reimburse you if your property is stolen. Check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for information.

  • You may be covered for the cost of replacing stolen travel documents, such as your passport. Some policies also cover any financial loss caused by the situation.
  • Some policies will cover you if you get mugged or pickpocketed but may put limits on how much cash they'll cover.

 If you're going somewhere where crime is more common, take extra care to ensure you have the right cover.

Common exclusions for theft and muggings

Standard travel insurance policies typically don't cover the loss of items if:

  • they were left unattended
  • you did not store them in a hotel safe when one was available
  • you left your things with someone you met on your trip, and they disappeared
  • you don't get a police report proving your loss
  • you're living overseas and have local insurance
  • your items were stolen from a locked car or checked baggage on an airline, train or bus.

Always read the exclusions in the PDS of your policy so you know what it covers you for.

What to do after a theft, robbery or mugging

If someone robs or mugs you when you're overseas, contact local authorities first. We have local emergency numbers in the travel advice for each destination.

Consider these steps if you've been robbed or mugged:

1. Think about your safety

Your safety is your priority. You can replace your property, but you can't be replaced.

If you're already safe, stay put. If not, find somewhere busy and well-lit. If possible, find a police station, hospital, or hotel with security guards.

Don't chase after the robber or try to track them down yourself. They may become violent. Let local police handle it.

2. Look after your health

Look after your health. If you're injured during a robbery, get medical care. If you need help finding a local hospital with doctors who speak English:

3. Prevent fraud and identity theft

If someone has taken your passport, phone or bank card, you're at risk of fraud or identity theft (Australian Federal Police). Act quickly.

Stolen passport

If someone has stolen your passport:

In some countries, you could be arrested or jailed for not having your passport on you. You won't be able to leave the country to get home without it.

Stolen phone

If your phone is stolen, use the remote wipe feature immediately.

Someone who has your phone and gets past your lock screen could access your personal information. This includes saved passwords and banking login details.

Stolen credit or debit card

If someone has stolen your debit or credit card:

  • if possible, use your banking app to block it temporarily
  • contact your bank to cancel it.

Most Australian banks have 24-hour emergency numbers you can call from overseas.

4. Report it to the local police

Report the crime to the local police. We publish local emergency numbers in the travel advice for each destination.

Be aware that a local crime is a matter for local authorities. The Australian Government is limited in how and when it can get involved. See the Consular Services Charter.

Deciding if you'll report it

It's up to you if you want to report the robbery, theft or mugging. . But think carefully about the risk of not reporting it.

  • Failing to report a crime is illegal in some countries. If this is the case, and local police find out that you didn't report something, they may arrest you. Before deciding not to report it, check the local law.
  • Failing to report the crime comes with other risks if you're the victim of a carjacking. If the thief uses the car to break other laws (for example, speeding), the police may think you were driving. They could arrest you for someone else's crime.
  • You can't claim on car or travel insurance without a police report.

Gather evidence

You'll need to provide the police with everything you can remember. As soon as you can, write down the details.

  • Consider the robber's appearance. This can include assumptions on age, weight, gender and nationality. Remember their skin, hair, and eye colour.
  • Remember what they said and how they said it. Details that may seem small can help the police in their investigation.
  • Think about what you were doing at the time and what was happening around you. What you were doing and where can also impact your travel insurance claim.
  • Try to remember who else was nearby when it happened. Criminals often work in groups. For example, a person you interacted with may have been distracting you for a pickpocket or bag snatch.
  • Be careful about accusing someone of theft. Don't just assume it's the hotel staff or another guest. If you make a false accusation without proof, local police could arrest you.

Get a police report

Your insurer may also ask for some of these details and a copy of the police report.

5. Contact your insurer

Travel insurer

Check the fine print on your policy. Confirm what and how you can claim. Contact your travel insurer. 
You may want to make a claim to:

  • replace your stolen property
  • repair or replace any damaged items from the incident
  • cancel or change your travel plans
  • get medical care if you're injured
  • waive the car hire insurance excess if you've been carjacked.

You can also find contact details of travel insurers in Australia on Find an Insurer (Insurance Council of Australia).

Car insurer, if carjacked

Car insurance is usually through the hire company. There may be a very large excess. Most travel insurance policies don't include car insurance. However, some include excess cover for car hire.

Ask the hire company about their car insurance claims process, and their excess.

6. Replace your stolen items

  • If you need a replacement passport, we can help. Contact the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate.
  • If you need cash urgently, contact your travel insurer, family, or friends. The Australian Government can't give you money.
  • If you need new credit or debit cards, contact your bank. Most have processes to express post replacement cards to your hotel or a local post office while travelling overseas.
  • Try to find local shops to replace other stolen items you need while overseas. Understand that some easily available items in Australia may be hard to get overseas. This includes medications.

How the Australian Government can help

The Australian Government is limited in how and when it can help you overseas. It's important to understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter for what we can and can't do.

To contact the Australian Government in an emergency:

What we can do

  • We can help you get a replacement passport or emergency passport.
  • We can help you report your stolen passport to the Australian Passport Office and police in Australia.
  • We can give you a list of local lawyers that speak English. You may need a lawyer if you're arrested or jailed for not having the money to pay your bill or not having your passport on you.

What we can't do

  • We can't help you replace your items unless it's a passport.
  • We can't give you money to replace your items.
  • We can't help you find your lost property or conduct investigations.
  • We can't help you with your travel insurance claim.
  • We can't receive packages for you. You should ship your replacement items to a local post office or your accommodation.

Read more

See also

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