Originally Posted by Shantanu

Although I agree, often, it just isn't practical. I was at the Westin in Berlin and my wife's camera went missing from our room. Not a terribly expensive panasonic camera, I had bought it off ebay for about €250. They advised us to report the theft to the local police station and claim on our travel insurance.

At the police station, we were told we would have to wait there, in line, for 2.5-3 hours. As it was our last, and only sightseeing day together in Berlin (we had been there for a conference), we just preferred to take the loss than waste a day with the local police just for a travel insurance claim.

So, although it's the wisest thing to do to go to the police, practicalities often suggest not.