The 10 Quirkiest Things Claimed for on Travel Insurance, From Unicorns to Cardboard Cutouts

From inflatable unicorns bobbing away in the sea to life-sized cardboard cutouts left in hotel rooms, UK travellers aren’t just losing luggage – they’re claiming for some very interesting items.   

New claims data from Post Office travel insurance has revealed some of the quirkiest things people across the UK have claimed for on their travel insurance over the past year, while a new study has also revealed the most common items lost abroad.  

The 10 most surprising items that have been claimed through Post Office in the past year include: 

1. An inflatable unicorn 
2. Life-sized cardboard cutouts 
3. Dentures 
4. Bagpipes 
5. Wedding dresses 
6. Artificial legs 
7. Urns with ashes 
8. Falconry gloves 
9. GoPro snorkels 
10. Custom wigs 

A separate study by Post Office of over 2,000 UK travellers also revealed the most common lost holiday items and the significant cost of replacing them. While most people were insured on their last holiday, almost a quarter (24%) travelled without cover¹, leaving themselves exposed to hefty replacement bills.  

For people travelling without insurance, the average replacement cost is between £344, with some unlucky holidaymakers spending over £1,000 to replace their lost belongings¹.  

5 most lost items by UK travellers: 

1. Jewellery & watches: 31% 
2. Mobile phones: 12% 
3. Wallets/credit cards: 10% 
4. Camera: 8% 
5. Passport/travel documents: 2% 

Younger travellers (18–34) are the most likely to lose things on holiday, with nearly half (47%) admitting to doing so and spending, on average, £405 on replacements. Men are slightly more likely than women to misplace belongings (32% vs 27%), while women often face lower bills, averaging £342 to replace items vs men spending £349¹. 

Adam Edinburgh, Head of Post Office Travel & New Products, commented:  

“Travel mishaps aren’t just about lost phones and passports, our data shows people are claiming for everything from bagpipes to wedding dresses. While these stories might raise a smile, they highlight a serious point that replacing lost items can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds. That’s why having the right travel insurance matters, because whether it’s something you use every day or something a little more unusual, peace of mind is priceless.” 

Find out more about the study and how to protect yourself here: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-insurance/guides/lost-holiday-items 

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