Insurance experts at Everywhen say the hand luggage carried by holiday makers and business travellers has quietly become one of the most valuable items people take away.

There was a time when the most valuable item in your suitcase was probably a camera. Today, many travellers are boarding flights carrying a smartphone, laptop, tablet, smartwatch, wireless earbuds, camera and portable charger, often without realising the combined value of what they’re taking away.

Insurance experts Everywhen say the modern holiday has undergone a major transformation, with technology becoming as essential to travel as sunglasses and sunscreen. As a result, many holidaymakers could now be travelling with thousands of pounds worth of personal belongings packed into a single backpack or cabin bag.

Just one premium smartphone, laptop, tablet and smartwatch can easily exceed £3,000. Add in wireless earbuds, a dedicated camera, e-reader, portable games console or specialist photography equipment, and it’s not uncommon for the contents of a holiday maker or business traveller’s carry-on bag to approach or even exceed £5,000.

Darren Walsgrove, Personal Lines Director at Everywhen, said: “Most of us never stop to think about how much value we’re carrying when we head off on holiday or on a business trip. We pack the essentials almost automatically, but today’s essentials are very different to those of even ten years ago.

“The smartphone has replaced the camera, map, guidebook, boarding pass, wallet and even hotel keys, in many cases. Add a laptop for work, a tablet for entertainment, a smartwatch, headphones and a few other everyday devices, and people can quickly find themselves travelling with thousands of pounds worth of technology.”

Staying connected

The shift reflects how holiday and business travel has evolved. Travellers are increasingly staying connected throughout their trips, whether that’s navigating unfamiliar cities, streaming entertainment on long journeys, sharing experiences on social media or checking in with work while abroad.

For many people, the cabin bag has become an all-in-one portable office, cinema, navigation system and communications hub.

Darren Walsgrove added:  “Technology has transformed the way we experience travel. It keeps us connected, makes journeys easier and allows us to capture memories instantly. However, it has also changed the value of what we’re carrying.

“Holidaymakers and business travellers often think about protecting their passport or keeping an eye on their luggage, but many don’t realise the financial value sitting on their shoulder in a cabin bag or backpack. It’s a reminder that travel has changed significantly, and our awareness of the insurance risk should change alongside it.”

As summer travel reaches its peak, the biggest investment many people take overseas may not be the holiday itself, but the technology they carry through the departure gate.