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What to do if your passport is stolen

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Having your passport stolen really sucks. Thankfully some World Nomads policies may help cover your extra costs while you arrange an emergency replacement passport. Here’s how.

1. Report the incident ASAP

Report the incident to the relevant authorities and get a report from them. This will include:

  • The An Garda Síochána.
  • Your nearest embassy, diplomatic or consular mission for your country of citizenship.
  • For visas and passports from other countries – contact the relevant embassy.
  • Any other relevant authorities, such as the airline, hotel or tour operator.

Travel Insurance tip: for certain countries, it is an offence not to report the loss or theft or your passport as soon as you learn of the loss. It may also affect your travel insurance cover if you don't report it as soon as reasonably possible. Contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team if you need help with this.

2. Arrange a replacement or emergency passport

Carefully check the process to apply for an emergency or replacement passport with the Irish embassy. You may need to attend an appointment at your nearest Irish embassy, High Commission or consulate after you’ve applied online on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website. You must provide us with copies of all documentation provided by the foreign government agency and the Ireland government. You will also need a written police report when your passport has been stolen.

If you need to travel to a different location to apply in person or collect your emergency passport, you should arrange to do this.

Travel Insurance tip: emergency passports do not permanently replace your passport. They can be issued quickly with limited validity so you can return to Ireland or continue with your trip.

3. Rearrange or cancel any affected travel arrangements

Once you’ve confirmed that any travel arrangements are going to be affected, contact any accommodation, tour, transport and other providers to rearrange or cancel any arrangements you may have. Make sure you get confirmation from them in writing of the changes or cancellation, and details of any refunds or extra fees paid.

4. Keep your receipts

If you think you'll need to claim, make sure you keep the official reports you were given and all original receipts as evidence to support your claim including your itineraries, booking and cancellation confirmations for any affected transport, accommodation and additional expenses.

5.Need to know more?

This information may help you when things go wrong and you want to make a claim. All travel insurance plans are different and cover will vary, depending what's happened, your country of residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy. Your policy will always have the terms, conditions and exclusions that apply.

If you have questions about what's covered and not covered, just ask us.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

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Trip Protection
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  • Close relative suddenly dies?

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Emergency Medical Expenses

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  • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
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  • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
  • 24-Hour Assistance Services
  • Baggage
  • And more (depending on your country of residence)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

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Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

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Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.