Even though airline companies are usually careful with travellers’ belongings, every year, thousands of people face the loss or damage of their luggage. If your luggage is delayed, stolen or lost, you find yourself struggling with financial and logistical consequences. Travelling overseas is already costly and a stressful affair in itself at times. There is definitely no need for any more organising and worrying about potentially losing your belongings. This is why it’s best to take out a travel insurance. Travel insurance companies can help you deal with these unfortunate incidents and reimburse you for all or part of the loss. Here we explain what is generally covered and what is not covered with luggage insurances.
What is luggage and personal possessions insurance?
Travel insurance luggage coverage, more or less complete depending on the contract
When you take out a travel insurance policy, the insurance company usually includes coverage for luggage and personal belongings.
It is not unusual for luggage to get lost or delayed, which obviously has negative consequences for your trip. Luggage insurance offers security for those unforeseen situations during your trip, covering all or part of the costs.
Baggage insurance generally offers protection during the trip (round trip). But at the same time, some extensions include coverage for any incidents that occur during your stay (loss, theft or destruction of your property).
It is important to inquire beforehand about what exactly is covered, as reimbursement conditions are very strict. For example, most insurance policies cover luggage only when it was checked in during your flight. Carry-on luggage is under your supervision and therefore your own responsibility.
Credit card cover: included insurance but limited
If you have a Visa Premier or Gold Mastercard, you can also get insurance against theft, loss and damage of your luggage. However, they only cover you for three months. Also, the amount of repayment is relatively low: 800 to 850 € per luggage, with a deductible of 70 € (to check depending on your credit card).
How to make a claim
Regardless of your insurance company, when noticing your luggage is gone, you have to act quickly. Policies are strict and processing times can sometimes be a while. It is therefore important to make a claim as quickly as possible.
In case of theft, loss or damaged baggage, you have to report your loss immediately to the police or the airline or bus company. After reporting, contact your insurance provider within 24hours. It is usually possible to lodge a claim online on the insurance company website.
They request supporting documents (boarding pass, plane ticket, photos of damaged items, invoices of stolen belongings etc.). The insurance company needs these documents to evaluate your loss.
Some insurance policies also include coverage in case of robbery. Don’t forget to report the incident to the local police and to keep a copy of the report, as you will need written proof when claiming.
Luggage insurance limits
When purchasing luggage insurance, make sure you read the fine print as policies are usually limited to specific situations. For example, only belongings left in a concealed storage compartment of a locked vehicle can be covered in case of theft.
Some examples of what is usually not covered:
– Luggage left unattended or forgotten
– Theft or loss of cash or credit cards
– you caused the damage of your things
In order to limit the risks, it is also possible to declare beforehand what valuables you want to be covered.
Insurance Companies
Go Walkabout (UK)
Go Walkabout offers travel insurance policies tailored to long term travellers, Working holiday makers and globetrotters from the UK.
Included in the long-stay travel insurance policy, they cover for what a person normally carries on a trip, such as clothing, a watch, sunglasses, a camera and more. In case your luggage has a delay of more than 12 hours, some of their policies cover expenses for necessary items, such as toothbrush, toothpaste, underwear, towels etc.
For more details with regard to these policies check out their website.
Chapka Assurances
This travel insurance company is based in France and has been operating since 2002. They provide special insurance policies for Working Holiday Visa holders and Globetrotters rom all European countries.
With the Cap Adventure luggage cover, you will get a refund if the airline company loses or damages your baggage or if someone steals your luggage while it was supervised or locked away. They cover valuable items up to 1000 EUR. As for all insurance companies, there are exclusions.
For more details with regard to these policies check out their website.
World Nomads (Worldwide)
They provides travel insurance for travellers from more than 150 countries. Their insurance policies cover your luggage if it was lost, stolen or damaged by the airline or bus company. This also apply to max. $250 cash if it was stolen. They cover the theft, loss or damage of your travel documents or credit cards.
For more details with regard to these policies check out their website.
World First Travel Insurance
This company is based in the UK and offers insurances to UK citizens that have spent 6 months prior to departure in the UK. Fortunately, they cooperate with Voyager Insurance and IMG Europe to provide insurances for non-UK citizens and UK citizens that have already left the country as well. They cover for personal belongings and you have the option to add on a gadget extension.
For more details with regard to these policies check out their website.
Why take out luggage insurance?
If you are going abroad for several months and you take a lot of things (and potentially valuables) with you, you cannot do without luggage insurance. This can allow you to be covered for the entire duration of your stay, including if it exceeds three months.
A refund in the event of a lost suitcase
Your luggage insurance can reimburse you in the event of a lost suitcase. Very concretely, you receive a sum if you have misplaced your personal effects, which saves you additional expenses to buy back what you need. Insurance generally reimburses with a deductible, but the amount can quickly be derisory when you have lost a lot of valuables.
Additional benefits
If you have dedicated luggage insurance, you can report and track your claim in your customer area (which can be complicated when only credit card insurance is used). Your contract may provide for the reimbursement of basic necessities for you, in the event of loss or late delivery of luggage.
When subscribing, clearly specify what your personal effects are to be protected, your computer equipment, your photo or video equipment as well as your valuables, to obtain the best possible protection.
