Insurance - Holidaymakers leaving valuables abroad

UK holidaymakers are returning from holiday without £2 billion worth of possessions, Lloyds TSB Insurance reveals.

However, 15 per cent of these travellers are unable to gain a return on their lost property owing to their failure to take out travel insurances, the bank adds.

"The post holiday blues are hard enough to handle, without the added stress of lost property. Leaving behind the odd toothbrush isn't so much of a problem, but forgetting more valuable items can cause real headaches," said Phil Loney, managing director of Lloyds TSB Insurance.

A majority 56 per cent of Britons have left belongings on 'permanent holiday', with 25 per cent forgetting toiletries, 23 per cent forgetting clothes, 17 per cent sunglasses, seven per cent shoes and five per cent jewellery.

One in seven blamed last minute packing for forgotten items, while one in nine simply forgot which items they bought with them when checking out of hotel rooms.

"A simple checklist of everything you've bough on holiday can help make packing much less of a struggle.

"However, there really is no substitute for travel insurance. Even the most diligent bag-packer can't guarantee they'll remember everything- and when you do forget something abroad, whether it's under the bed or on the beach café, it's reassuring to know you'll have it replaced for you," Mr Loney concluded.