Hi.

After doing some more research i have managed to order a TSA Approved Luggage strap as you have suggested. for a reasonable fee of £13 pounds.

I also managed to contact my home contents insurer and yes indeed they have managed to confirm that my laptop is covered for up to 30 days (worldwide) cover as part of the standard contents insurance without paying an extra premium.

Compared to some of the dedicated online vendors who can offer coverage for premums of in excess of £100 pounds ( and risk being over insured ).

Excelent guidance and has allowed me some extra spending money for my well earned holiday. And put my mind at ease.

Thank you very much.

Gary.

Hello Gary

I travel to the States quite a bit and the stories you have heard are just that,stories!

Take your laptop on as hand luggage so you can show the customs what you have,i wouldn't put it in my suitcase because of the amount of theives working in UK and US airports, customs are the leaset of your worries. As to your other dilema with insurance, i'm not sure who your getting quotes from but there are hundreds of insurers that will give you personal belongings cover upto 10K which includes electronic items.

AXA,Direct Line,Royal Sun Alliance.

Get a grip man and do some Googling!

Regards.

Hello.

I will be flying to the States to see my girlfreind in a few weeks time and have heard horror stories relating to having suitcases unlocked or USA customs will break locks or damage your luggage to gain access.

 I have considered getting a TSA approved luggage belts which apparently they have "skeleton keys" to unlock and leave the combination locks open on the case itself but am concerned about the implications of falling outside standard travel insurance policy rules

 I am sure most insurance company's will do their best to dodge out of paying up for any loss for the fact that a suitcase is "unlocked " although it is secured with a secondary security device. Has anyone got any experiences of this or can offer any help or prefered insurance companys that can cover such instances ?

In addition to this I am searching high and low to try and get an inclusion to cover taking my laptop with me on my journey to store photos and show family pictures etc. I am aware that most policys will cover "valuables" up to around 250-300 Uk pounds but of course this is not suitable.

 Are there any companys that can offer short term insurance to cover laptops / PDA's and digital cameras etc ?

 Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

 Thanks

Gary