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Reviewed by Matthew Ashton
More than a fashion statement, your luxury handbag is a vessel for your purse or wallet, mobile phone, and other personal items. When it’s stolen, not only are your identity and finances suddenly at risk, but replacing your bag and all its contents is costly, too.
Maybe you’ve just bought your first luxury handbag and now it’s gone. Or perhaps you’re nervous because you’ve gone through the ordeal of a stolen handbag before. Or maybe you live in a big city with higher crime rates.
Although we don’t like thinking about it, it’s essential to know what to do when sticky fingers get hold of your designer handbag. This article equips you with the information you need if you get your handbag stolen.
Why caution and preparation are important
Being cautious and prepared makes a big difference in preventing and managing handbag theft. After all, theft of personal items is on the rise, especially watch theft and that of other small, portable belongings such as a designer handbag.
We’re all aware that these incidents happen, and we realise how inconvenient and intrusive they are. However, we never think that it will happen to us – until it does. Remember, it takes just a few seconds for someone to pinch your handbag, mobile or wallet. What’s more, it often happens when and where you least expect it.
Luxury handbag insurance does not make you immune to handbag theft, but it can give you peace of mind should the worst happen.
Steps to take if your handbag, wallet or purse is stolen
Falling victim to handbag theft isn’t just an inconvenience – it’s disruptive and intrusive, and may leave you with concerns for your safety. Just remember that it’s perfectly normal – and to be expected – to feel panic, anger and frustration, but it’s with a clear hear that you’ll be able to sort the dilemma at hand.
So, keep calm and follow the steps below if you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation:
1. Retrace your steps to check you haven’t misplaced it
Sometimes, we simply misplace our belongings, which is why it’s worth taking a few minutes to retrace your steps. Do this to make sure that you didn’t accidentally leave your handbag, mobile or purse somewhere before raising the alarm.
2. Call the police
If you don’t find your handbag, purse or other belongings after retracing your steps, call the police. This is the first step in case of a theft.
Or, if your bag has been physically snatched out of your possession, notify the police immediately.
Provide accurate details of the incident, such as when and where it happened and a description of the perpetrator (if possible). You must also list the items or contents of your handbag. This may include your:
- Purse or wallet
- Mobile phone
- Bank card and other important electronic cards
- Identification documents
- Other valuables, such as makeup or jewellery
The police may have questions for witnesses, so remember to include them in your report. You’ll receive a reference number, which is important for your insurance claims.
3. Contact your bank and freeze your cards
You may be wondering what to do if your wallet is stolen. If your wallet or purse was in your stolen handbag, it’s important to immediately freeze all your cards.
Do this by contacting your bank or using your banking app or internet banking portal. Consider all the bank cards that were stolen along with your designer bag. If any cash was stolen, remember to include this in your police report.
4. Check your bank statements
You may be feeling at a loss and wondering what to do if my purse is stolen. It’s essential to check your bank statements after reporting and freezing your cards. If you notice any unauthorised transactions, report it to your bank’s fraud division without delay.
5. Inform your insurance company
If you have coverage, inform your insurance company as soon as possible. Remember, you need your crime reference number and will have to give the same detailed report you gave to the police.
It’s helpful to have a copy of your insurance coverage at hand. This makes it easier to reference the items that are covered and speeds up the process.
How to prevent handbag theft in the future
Taking care of a luxury handbag is more than just regular cleaning and maintenance. As unpleasant as handbag theft is, use the experience as a learning curve to prevent similar future incidents. There are a few practical things you can do to prevent these incidents or manage them more effectively should they occur.
Get suitable cover
Getting covered is the first step to preventing the expensive consequences of handbag theft. Insurance coverage can shield you against these negative financial impacts and can give you peace of mind when stepping out with your trendy designer bags.
Handbag insurance covers the value of your bag or collection of bags. Your monthly insurance premium is worked out in line with this value.
Keep your bag with you at all times
Locking your handbag up and taking it out now and then just to admire it doesn’t make sense. You buy a designer bag to use it. It’s not only a practical place to store your belongings, but it also completes your outfit and desired look.
When you’re out and about, it’s best to keep your luxury handbag close and secure at all times. Remain vigilant in public areas. Minimise distractions and keep an eye on everything going on around you. This is especially important when travelling with your designer bags, as criminals increasingly target tourists.
Keep a tracking tag in your handbag
Keeping a tracking tag in your handbag is a useful security measure and can show its location when stolen. A tracking tag is a small device that works with Bluetooth or GPS technologies. It links to your smartphone tracking app, which enables you to track your designer handbag.
Get covered with luxury Handbag Insurance
Handbag theft can cause havoc in many different ways. It’s not just about losing pricey possessions – it’s also an intrusion that can affect your finances and identity.
Should this happen to you, it’s best to keep calm and follow the steps we detailed to handle the incident. Retrace your steps. Report the matter to the police. Freeze your bank cards. Check your statements for fraudulent activity. And, if you are insured, start the claims process with your insurer. Luxury handbag insurance is recommended for coverage and peace of mind, especially if your home insurance policy does not provide adequate cover. Stanhope offers designer handbag insurance for everything from single bags to collections. Get in touch to insure your valuables.
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