Most standard travel insurance policies cover your baggage if it gets lost, stolen, or damaged while you are travelling. Damage or loss of luggage and possessions is quite common when travelling and it is always a good idea to make sure your bags are covered beforehand in case additional items such as sports equipment is not covered.

Having baggage cover can be beneficial in the unfortunate event that your luggage is damaged or lost by the airline in transit or when landing in your destination. Suitcases can be expensive and their contents invaluable, having this type of cover will help you recover some of the losses of these important items.

How to claim

In the event of your bags being stolen, make sure you report this to the police as soon as possible, you will need a reference number to complete your claim. Some insurance policies have a time limit on reporting stolen luggage, so it is important to report and claim as soon as you can.

If your luggage is damaged or lost by the airline, you should report this to the airline as soon as possible and fill out all the necessary paperwork for your claim. Taking photos of the damages can assist in speeding up your refund from the insurer. Some insurance policies or airlines will even pay you out to be able to buy clothes and toiletries in a case where your luggage is delayed.

Exclusions from baggage insurance

All policies have different terms and conditions when it comes to what they do and do not cover. One of the more pertinent exclusions is that your luggage will not be covered if you leave it unattended and something happens to it. It is advised that you read the fine print when buying travel insurance.

What about excesses and maximum limits

Due to varying values of the contents of an individual's baggage, insurance companies cannot have an unlimited claim value. You will need to report the value of your baggage and its contents to the insurance company and you should be paid out in full if it does not exceed a maximum limit. Of course, items like jewellery and electronics may not be covered as they often require separate insurance cover. It would be beneficial to check if you are required to pay an excess when claiming from your baggage cover.

Put your mind at ease when you are travelling so that you can enjoy your trip and not need to worry about your baggage!