Every article on the security of your valuables at the hotel recommends keeping them in a room safe. A hotel safe is a good place to keep valuables out of sight, and it is a much better option than simply trying to conceal them somewhere else in the room. However, no hotel safe is 100% safe. Here’s the reason behind it:
All hotels have a back door or a “special way” that employees can use to get to the safe, if the guest does not remember the code or if the key is lost in the safe. A master password or key may be used for some safes; a custom substitute password may be used for others. In any case, your valuables are never 100% secure if the safe offers has a master code or key for it.
When a dishonest hotel employee takes something out of the hotel safe, it is always difficult to prove who stole it from the safe during the stay, and management may not always be willing to cooperate. Without proof, travel insurance usually does not cover the loss either.
What Can You Do to Prevent Theft in a Hotel Safe
Employees know that many people set very simple access codes, for example 1234 or 0000. A dishonest hotel employee can try these codes, eliminating the need for an access key. This person can also try replacing the code to facilitate hacking. In this case, you want to make the code a random sequence of numbers, such as a birthday or house number that only you know. Also, you can use an anti-theft device specially designed for hotel safes.
If You Fall Victim to a Theft in a Hotel Safe
Responsibility for hotel theft is a confusing problem. The situation can become more complicated because the law varies depending on the country, state, or condition of the hotel. If you cannot prove that the property was neglected, you have virtually no case. Even if the hotel is cooperating and claims are being made, there is no case without proof. Further actions, especially if the hotel is in another country, can lead to unbearable expectations. That said, if you think you have a valid claim and the property was not neglected, be persistent. Also, always send a police report as evidence of a crime.
Since hotels routinely reject claims, you should try an alternative solution such as home insurance. This usually applies to thefts that occur during the policy holder’s vacation, although you may need to pay a deduction that will eventually be taken out of your pocket.
The ultimate solution is to do everything possible to minimise losses by using an additional hotel lock or packing a portable safe. A portable safe is a personal secure self-storage facility that ensures that no hotel staff has an undue advantage over you. It also gives you peace of mind. Additionally, it’s important to note that theft is more likely to happen in hotels with little to no reputation. Standard hotels carry out background checks on their staff and will be wary of anything that will tarnish their image. A sub-standard hotel will not pay much attention to these aspects of security. For this reason, it is advisable to go to a standard hotel if you know you have treasured valuables in your possession while traveling.