Never leave your handbag unattended warns 1st for women

Having your handbag stolen very often translates into weeks of costly and time-consuming admin which one can ill afford, especially over the festive season.  It is barely an exaggeration to say that a woman carries her life in her handbag, and insuring the contents of a handbag is extremely prudent.

The prevalence of theft across South Africa makes handbag insurance a must-have item for peace of mind. 1st for Women offers handbag insurance to the value of R3500.00 with every home contents insurance policy.

Robyn Farrell, managing director of 1st for Women Insurance says: “This holiday season, two of the most important things a woman can do to improve her safety is to stay aware of her surroundings and to avoid potentially dangerous situations. 

“If your attention is elsewhere because you are reading a magazine on the beach or sun tanning, you will be less aware of potential danger,” says Farrell.

1st for Women offers tips on how to avoid having your handbag stolen:

• Be aware of your surroundings and carry your handbag close to your body, tucked in the bend of your elbow.
• Carry your handbag on the side furthest from the road. Never let the bag or strap hang loosely.
• Make sure your handbag is fastened and zipped at all times. 
• Minimise the amount of cash that you carry in your handbag.  Rather divide your cash between your pockets and purse.
• Never leave your handbag on your passenger seat when driving.  Rather place it by your feet or in the vehicles boot. 
• When seated at a cinema or a restaurant, always make sure your handbag is either on your lap or between your feet. 
• Never leave your bag unattended.
• Make sure not to leave your keys buried in your handbag so that you stand around scrabbling for them.  This only attracts attention.
• If you are a victim of a handbag snatching, do not fight to hold onto your bag. Report the incident, and where it took place, to the nearest police station.  Also make sure to cancel all your credit cards and put a block on your cellphone.

“Lastly, it is extremely upsetting having possessions forcibly taken from you, but it becomes far worse when you can’t quite remember what exactly was stolen. It is vital that you ensure that you have all this information documented in a safe place,” concludes Farrell.