Waking Up In Vegas

Media release

29th November 2013

Waking Up In Vegas

With Las Vegas becoming a hot destination for many, it’s not just the casinos and shopping malls in ‘Sin City’ leaving Kiwi travellers short of cash but also a variety of opportunistic crooks, says Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI).

Craig Morrison, SCTI Chief Executive Officer, says that given its ‘Sin City’ moniker it’s little wonder that a proportion of the 39 million annual visitors to Las Vegas end up being victims up crime. “We certainly see the claims.”

However he points out that some of the most frequent crimes are preventable.

“Vegas, like many party destinations, leaves people dazzled by the bright lights and hedonistic atmosphere and some seem to lose all common sense. But, like anywhere, you need to keep your wits about you.

“Though this might sound obvious, people need to be really careful about carrying unreasonable amounts of money on them, flashing wads of notes around, or counting money publically if they’ve had a win at the casino. And whatever you do – don’t put it in your back pocket!” says Morrison.

An all-too-frequent type of claim SCTI receives from a post-party town trip is for theft of personal items from hotel rooms.

“You’d be surprised at the number of claims we see from travellers who, having invited someone back to their hotel room, wake up in the morning having been totally cleaned out; wallet, camera, phone and computer.”

SCTI policies don’t cover claims incurred as a result of people unknown to the policyholder being invited back to the policyholder’s accommodation, or the policyholder visiting the accommodation of someone they don’t know.

Another way of looking at it, says Morrison, is that travel insurance policies are intended to cover unexpected events. “If you invite someone back to your accommodation, they are your guest and you are responsible for them. If you don’t know them well enough or don’t supervise them and they steal your property, it can’t properly be considered an unexpected event.”

Morrison says other victims have been left empty handed after having their drink spiked by a companion they met in a bar and incapacitated to the point they are unable to remember the events surrounding the theft.

“I know that drink spiking in Vegas sounds like something straight out a Hollywood movie but it does happen. Unfortunately we’re also seeing this occurring a lot more frequently in Thailand too.”

With healthcare in the US notoriously expensive Morrison advises Kiwis to keep themselves physically safe by not indulging in excessive alcohol consumption or risky antics, no matter how tempting.

“Alcohol results in a lot of strains, sprains and broken bones. Remember, nothing good happens after midnight!”

However, Morrison says the most common tourist crime in Las Vegas is pickpocketing and he urges travellers to be mindful of their belongings and surroundings, especially in crowded places such as queues for show lines and buffets, luggage carousels, taxi ranks and public transport.

“Las Vegas is a truly remarkable city – just keep your wits about you. A good rule of thumb is to remember that a stranger who waylays you either wants something, or wants you to go somewhere.”

When in Las Vegas

· Do not go anywhere alone with someone you’ve just met–no matter how nice they seem - stay in public places.

· Don’t take people you’ve just met back to your hotel room, or go to theirs.

· Be on the lookout for anyone being your friend just after you won big on a table or you flashed cash.

· Watch your drink at all times.

· Don’t bet money outside a casino.

· A common casino ruse is the "distract and grab." One thief tosses a couple of coins or chips on the floor and asks the victim whether they are his. While the target bends over, the thief's partner grabs a bucket of coins or lifts a fistful of chips.
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