Travelling is a very exciting yet overwhelming experience at the same time. People tend to go on vacation when they are stressed, they want a break, they need to meet with friends, or they go on a solo trip to explore and find themselves.
Some people live abroad for education or a job, too. But in short, vacations or a stay are expected to be a calming and joyful time of one’s life. No one expects anything bad to happen while on a trip. But life is unpredictable, and everything doesn’t turn out how you want it to!
There are a lot of unfortunate situations that might happen during your vacation, and one of them is losing your passport on an international trip. As an Indian traveller, dealing with a lost passport can be particularly challenging, especially when you’re in an unknown land.
Your travel insurance can be a gateway to safety in such a situation. While making a purchase for travel insurance, compare the policies and make the best possible choice for yourself.
We will discuss the situation in detail and how to get out of the trouble of losing your passport. This blog will also explain how important your travel policy becomes in such conditions. This blog will give you a step-by-step tutorial on how to handle this situation.
What to Do When You Lose Your Passport
Losing your passport can be a stressful situation, but it is very possible that you might catch yourself stranded in such a hopeless state. Here is what you are supposed to do if you lose your passport.
Lodge an FIR
First things first, you should find the nearest police station and lodge a complaint about your loss. Let them know that you have lost your passport and provide all the related information to them. Let them know the location and time when it got lost, too.
A police report is essential for various reasons. You will need a police report for passport replacement and raising an insurance claim with your online travel insurance. Also, keep a copy of this report with yourself!
Indian Embassy Consultation
Contact the Indian embassy nearest to you and let them know of your situation. Apply for a re-issue of your passport.
They will demand documents that prove your identity and a few questions related to your stay in the country. The embassy will issue an emergency certificate or a replacement passport for you.
Required Documents to Fill The Form
- Photocopy of the front and back page of your lost passport
- Copy of the police complaint report
- Passport size photographs
- Copy of your Visa
- Your current flight tickets
- A filled-out passport replacement form
This is why you must buy travel insurance that provides the best services. Why, you ask? If you must apply for a replacement passport, you are expected to have an international travel insurance policy. You should buy the travel insurance passport cover rider because that will allow you to raise a claim in such a situation.
Lost Passport Form
Fill out the entire form thoroughly, in great detail, and error-free. This will include information like passport numbers, personal information, and the circumstances of the loss. Be as detailed as possible to help the officials with the further process.
Payment
Your passport replacement or emergency certificate requires you to pay a certain amount of money. This fee differs from country to country, so we cannot specify a certain amount. Having travel insurance cover for a lost passport is essential because then you can go back home and receive the money that you paid here as the replacement fees.
Travel insurance policies will usually provide coverage for lost or stolen passports and provide financial help. This help is related to expenses related to passport replacement, like the embassy fee, travel expenses, and accommodation.
If you lose your passport within the borders, there is a certain procedure you need to follow.
- File a police complaint.
- Prepare all the necessary documents. (Identity proof, photocopy of your passport, passport-size photos, etc.)
- Apply for a fresh passport. You can visit an online website, “Passport Seva Portal.”
- Duly fill out the application form.
- You will be allotted a date for an interview.
- Show up on the decided date for an interview.
- Your passport will arrive at your residential address.
Conclusion
Losing your passport can be a nightmare, but at the end of the day, if you have a good travel policy, you are safe. Being prepared is better than being petrified.
Make informed decisions regarding this policy and navigate wisely through the process. Also, make sure you don’t lose your passport to a silly mistake. Have a safe journey!
