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The Guide to Baggage Insurance

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How does baggage insurance work?

What does baggage insurance cover, what is not covered by baggage insurance, how much does baggage insurance cost, how do i get baggage insurance, which baggage insurance coverage is best for me, is baggage insurance worth it.

Travel can be a lot of fun but if your bags are lost or stolen or your luggage is delayed for a significant amount of time, it can be a bad start to the trip. Before you travel, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with baggage insurance, which is offered on travel insurance policies and on premium travel credit cards.

How often does luggage get lost? According to LuggageHero, an airline's chances of losing your bag are slim – just 0.4% in 2021. And if that happens, the airline is responsible for compensating you for your lost bags and contents. But they may have different liability limits than separate insurance, and there are plenty of other ways luggage can disappear after you leave the airport.

"Baggage insurance" is a general term that encompasses two key benefits: baggage loss and baggage delay. Here’s what you need to know about baggage insurance and how to get it.

Baggage insurance can generally be divided into two broad categories: Baggage loss and baggage delay.

Suppose you arrive at baggage claim to get your two pieces of luggage, but they are nowhere to be found. You file a lost report with the airline and head to your Airbnb. However, when you arrive, you find that it doesn’t have many toiletries or even a spare toothbrush. On the third day, one of your pieces of luggage arrives but the other one is lost.

If you purchased a travel insurance policy (or have a premium travel card ) that offers baggage insurance benefits, the baggage delay coverage will reimburse you for the purchase of essential items such as a toothbrush, toiletries, change of clothes, etc. for each of the days that you didn’t have your belongings.

Because you only received one of your pieces of luggage, baggage loss coverage will reimburse you for the missing piece, along with the contents up to a specific dollar amount. If you have valuables in your lost luggage, it's likely that they are covered by your homeowners insurance policy, so you’d want to check with that company before seeking reimbursement from the travel insurance provider, which limits the amount you can claim for the high-end items.

If you don’t have baggage insurance benefits, you’re still in luck because the airline carrier has procedures in place to reimburse for lost luggage and baggage delay. Still though, having an extra layer of protection is helpful, especially if your luggage is expensive and/or the baggage insurance benefits on the travel insurance policy are higher than the airline's.

When booking your trip, check the airline’s baggage loss and delay policies to ensure you understand what level of coverage you’re comfortable with.

Certain premium travel credit cards offer baggage insurance benefits. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers baggage delay insurance of $100 per day for up to five days if your bags are delayed for more than six hours and lost luggage reimbursement of $3,000 per person and up to $500 for luxury items.

» Learn more: Your guide to Chase Sapphire Reserve's travel insurance benefits

Baggage loss

Baggage loss will reimburse you for luggage and personal belongings that are lost or stolen while you’re on your trip. This coverage usually includes three limits:

Per-person overall limit.

Per item limit.

A specific limit for high-end items.

In case your luggage is lost, you’ll need to notify the appropriate local authorities, which will happen when you file your claim with the airline. To get reimbursement for luxury items (such as watches, jewelry, furs, cameras), some insurers may require you to submit original receipts.

» Learn more: How lost luggage insurance works

Baggage delay

Baggage delay lets you purchase necessary items while you’re waiting for delayed bags. This benefit usually kicks in after a specified amount of time and has two limits:

A per-person dollar limit.

A daily limit.

You will need to wait until the minimum amount of time has passed before you can be eligible for reimbursement. Some policies also state that this benefit is available only on the outward leg of your trip, so you’ll want to read the fine print of the policy to know when the coverage applies. Also, make sure to keep your receipts for items you purchase while you wait for your bags, as you will need to submit them with your claim.

For baggage loss and baggage delay, the coverage is usually secondary, which means that the benefits only kick in after the common carrier (airline) provides reimbursement.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Each insurer will have its own list of exclusions for baggage delay and baggage loss, however, some common exclusions are:

Auto equipment.

Household items.

Perishables.

In addition, losses related to a policy’s general exclusions (self-harm, war, illegal acts, etc.) also aren't covered. As always, check the fine print so you’re aware of what is covered.

Coverage included with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , for example, covers up to $500 for jewelry and watches. And plans from World Nomads cover sports equipment and documents like passports.

Before making assumptions, you should always check to ensure lost luggage is covered and for how much, as different plans offer different coverage types and amounts.

There are other exclusions. For example, you can't be reckless with your luggage or where you leave it, like in the back of an open pickup or on a curbside while you enter a cafe.

In addition, you typically must first file a report with the airline or local authorities in the case of theft or loss to file a claim with your travel insurance company. It's also best if you can provide receipts for high-value items to receive full reimbursements.

» Learn more: Blue Ribbon Bags reunites you and your bags in 4 days — or pays

Baggage insurance is usually included within comprehensive travel insurance plans. For a two-week trip to Australia that costs $5,000, a search of policies on travel insurance broker Squaremouth ranged from $198 to $447, representing 4.0% to 8.9% of the total trip cost.

One international week-long vacation may run from around $37 to $100 or more based on how much protection you want for the items you're traveling with.

A $63 plan, for example, may cover up to $750 of lost or stolen luggage, while a $103 plan might cover up to $2,500.

As you can see, prices range widely, which makes it easy to find a policy that applies to your individual situation.

If you hold a premium travel credit card that offers trip baggage insurance benefits, this coverage is offered free of charge as long as the trip is purchased with the applicable credit card.

The two main ways to get baggage insurance benefits are by purchasing a trip insurance policy or applying for a premium travel card that offers these benefits.

As mentioned previously, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® covers baggage delay and baggage loss. The Platinum Card® from American Express and many other American Express cards provide coverage for lost luggage only, with a $3,000 per person limit and a $1,000 per high-end item limit. There is no coverage for baggage delay. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Travel insurance benefits on American Express credit cards

These premium cards also offer other travel insurance benefits like trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, emergency assistance and more. If you often buy trip insurance, applying for one of these travel cards could be advantageous, since they offer a lot of useful perks and statement credits that will typically offset at least part of the annual fee.

However, if your luggage and belongings are more expensive than the limits provided by the credit card, purchasing a separate travel insurance policy could make a lot of sense.

If you’re traveling with expensive clothes or have high-end luggage, purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy that offers baggage insurance benefits is a good idea. If your belongings are relatively low-cost, you’re traveling with a carry-on or backpack or you’re already covered through your credit card, you may not need to purchase a travel insurance policy.

However, if you’d like additional coverage like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) , travel medical insurance and/or your credit card doesn’t offer sufficient limits, consider a comprehensive travel insurance policy from providers such as AAA , Allianz , AIG or World Nomads .

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

If you're traveling with high-value personal belongings, baggage insurance can be worth it.

However, you might not need to pay out of pocket to get coverage. For example, if you used a travel credit card with robust trip protection and luggage insurance to book and pay for your vacation and don't require additional or specialized coverage, that may be sufficient.

Purchasing coverage separately is probably best if you don't have baggage insurance benefits through a credit card or want to customize your coverage. But, again, the right option will depend on your needs and will likely vary from trip to trip.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

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Flight delayed? Baggage lost? Here’s how to apply for compensation

By Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press

Posted Jan 18, 2024 11:00:00 AM.

Last Updated Jan 18, 2024 02:15:23 PM.

Chad Rose was slated to take an afternoon flight from London, Ont., to Ottawa when WestJet cancelled his trip the day of.

The airline put him in a taxi to Toronto’s Pearson airport during rush hour for an evening departure instead. But at midnight, it too was cancelled after an hours-long delay WestJet attributed to crew constraints, Rose said.

He received a food voucher for late-night airport fare, but no hotel coupons were left after an hour in line.

“I felt like Tom Hanks in ‘The Terminal,’ kind of wandering around aimlessly,” Rose said of the experience from June 2022.

After being rebooked on a flight the next day, Rose finally arrived in the capital more than 18 hours later than scheduled.

He filed a claim for compensation with WestJet, but the airline rejected it, saying the delays were for mechanical reasons and thus exempt from compensation requirements under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations.

For many, figuring out when and how to file for compensation — much less contesting an outcome — can be an unfamiliar and daunting task.

Compensation — distinct from reimbursement — is owed by an airline if a flight is cancelled less than 15 days before take-off or delayed by at least three hours for reasons within the carrier’s control. Crew shortages or routine technical issues qualify as within its control, while weather, security threats and strikes do not.

A cause that is “required for safety purposes,” such as mechanical problems, also does not require compensation, according to the regulations. However, the rights charter is currently being overhauled, including this provision.

“‘Technical issues’ are more tricky — it is always within the carrier’s control, but depending on whether it was unexpected or not, it may or may not be classified as a ‘safety’ issue under the APPR,” said Air Passenger Rights advocacy group president Gabor Lukacs.

Assuming the reason was within the airline’s control, travellers are entitled to $400 if a flight arrives three or more hours late, $700 if it lands six hours late, and $1,000 if it touches down nine-plus hours late. For smaller airlines such as Lynx Air and Canadian North, lower amounts are mandated. Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat and Flair Airlines are all classified as large.

To apply for compensation, a simple web search with the words “compensation claim” followed by the name of the airline should bring up a link to the company site where customers can fill out a form.

Airlines have 30 days to reply, and must include an explanation for a rejection. If the claim, which must be filed within a year of the flight disruption, is turned down, travellers have several options.

One is to submit a complaint online to the Canadian Transportation Agency. The process includes an eligibility review by a complaints resolution officer, who then leads a mediation stage — if both parties agree — that can result in a compensation deal.

Should an agreement fail to materialize, the mediator will issue a final decision within 90 days of the start of the process. However, the complaints backlog is so long — 63,600 as of Jan. 10 — that it can take a year-and-a-half for the process to “start.”

A second option is to go to small claims court, after or instead of the transportation agency. While no guarantee of success, this avenue results in quicker and sometimes bigger compensation, according to Lukacs.

He and other advocates have expressed concern that the CTA tends to favour airlines over customers.

“Even in provinces where there’s a long (court) backlog, still,it’s faster than going to the CTA,” said Lukacs, whose organization offers online guides on how to navigate complaints.

“But ultimately, each person needs to make their own decision on this.”

For passengers who are turned away at the gate — usually because the flight is oversold — an airline must pay $900, $1,800 or $2,400, depending on whether they arrive at least three, six, or nine hours late at their destination.

In all denied boarding cases within the airline’s control — except those required for safety, such as a seat malfunction — the airline must compensate travellers for the inconvenience.

Rose said he was frustrated, but undeterred: “The ego and principle side of me wanted to fight this to the end.”

After filing a lawsuit, he eventually settled with the airline, signing a non-disclosure agreement in the process. (WestJet has said it does not comment on NDAs.)

If luggage takes more than 21 days to be returned — at which point it qualifies as lost — passengers can file a claim that spells out the costs resulting from the missing items during that period, up to $2,350.

Late or damaged baggage can yield compensation up to the same amount. However, the airline does not have to pay if the damage resulted from the quality or “inherent defect” of the luggage, according to the Montreal Convention, a multilateral treaty on liability and compensation for air travellers. A claim on damaged items must be filed within seven days, and on late bags within three weeks of their return.

Meanwhile, customers are also entitled to a refund when the airline cancels a flight or delays it three-plus hours. Separate from any potential compensation, the refund kicks in if they opt not to re-book the cancelled trip or accept the tardy takeoff.

Guests can typically make the request at a service counter in the airport or at the website of the carrier or travel agency where the flight was booked. Rejection of this demand leaves passengers with the same options they have when seeking compensation: filing via the transportation agency or the courts.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:AC)

Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press

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Why Travel Insurance is a Must

Do you have house or apartment insurance or car insurance, dental insurance or private medical insurance? Ask yourself “why?”

If it’s not because the banker requires that it be covered (car loan or mortgage), it is because you have decided that the risk of something bad happening is too great not to be covered.

I have owned cars for more than 40 years. During that time, I have had one claim — for a cracked windshield — yet I have paid, I estimate, about $30,000 in premiums. House insurance, likewise:   no claims and about $25,000 in premiums. Why do I continue to pay these premiums?

Because I get peace of mind.

That is what insurance is all about for most people. I know that if I have a serious problem, I am covered and that helps me to sleep better.

The same is true for travel insurance. Will one get a return on “investment”? Probably not, and truth be told, the traveler probably doesn’t WANT a return — it means sickness during travel or an accident or missed connection or vacation ruined in some other way. But isn’t it reassuring that one has this protection in case it is needed?

Travelers often have concerns and questions about paying extra for travel insurance. After all, they have just spent a lot of time trying to ensure they get the lowest price for the trip they are taking. They often ask “why add to that cost”?

There are some options to purchasing separate coverage for travel insurance.

Some credit cards offer insurance. But who does it cover and what are the limitations?

Some work places have travel insurance for the travel done by their employees. Again, what coverage does it offer?

Be sure to find out the right answers. Call the credit card company, who will probably give their insurance company’s phone number. Get all responses in writing (very difficult to prove a phone conversation) and be sure to understand the limitations.

Be sure to ask if the coverage is Primary or Secondary. Secondary usually means that one pays up front for services and gets reimbursed upon filling out a form when back home. That’s OK if costs are up to $1000 to have a broken arm set in the Caribbean but NOT OK if one is hospitalized with a heart attack, especially in the United States, where the disbursement of a single pill in a hospital can cost $100 and treatment for a heart attack can cost several hundred thousand dollars!

Same thing for work travel insurance: be sure to understand the coverage. Most work travel insurance coverage has significant limitations. Away in a foreign country and experiencing a problem is not the place to discover that one’s insurance is insufficient.

There are various options available through private companies that offer coverage for trip cancellation alone to full — or Deluxe — packages that have a range of features, including of course, full medical, but also offering flight and accident insurance, baggage loss and delay, just to mention a few. Be sure to talk with a travel agent to get the proper coverage needed: one may have medical coverage already but can opt to purchase trip Interruption and Cancellation separately to top up coverage. Note that separating travel insurance into its individual component parts often results in a higher cost per section. Full coverage packages tend to be more economical.

And travel agents can advise of the proper procedure to initiate a claim.

At-destination-car-insurance is another concern — personally I have found it to be better to look at CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) coverage under my credit card and then either pay the liability insurance at the rental counter or ensure that my present car insurance policy is “transportable” — in other words, my provincial car insurance covers me while I am away. However, keep in mind that, in this case, any accident while away can affect one’s driving record in your own province AND can cause significant time loss to your vacation while the matter is settled. Be sure to discuss this with a travel agent and your present car insurance agent.

Another factor to consider is that in the event of an accident, insurance purchased at the car rental desk allows the traveler to drop the keys off (assuming there is no criminal liability) and be done with it, whereas your personal car insurance from home may require you to lose as much as a day — or more — of your travel time to sort things out.

Finally, keep in mind that though the decision to purchase travel insurance is the individual’s to make, this decision can affect others close to you. If, for example, hospitalization is needed in the US and incurs a bill of $200,000, who is going to pay that bill? Are family members going to have to come up with the money to help out?  Sometimes the risk the traveler is prepared to take can have far-reaching consequences for loved ones back home!

When the travel agent offers to discuss travel insurance, take the time to listen. Make an informed decision, not one based on adding $120 – $150—usually less than 10% of the cost of your trip – to the cost of a bargain basement trip, which has just been negotiated

Travel Insurance - Are You at a Risk?

Most of us travel, whether it be for business or for vacation.

While some prefer to take their chances regarding travel insurance, many people, with a variety of credit cards available, think that the travel insurance that is included with a credit card will cover all their insurance needs while away.  They might be surprised to find that they are not….

It is very difficult for anyone to do an in-depth comparison of coverage among the different credit cards, considering that even one bank might offer several categories of credit card, with different insurance coverages for each, and options for coverage constantly changing.

You may recall some time ago, when a volcano erupted in Iceland, it interrupted flights across the Atlantic for weeks. Many travelers made the very costly misinterpretation that they were covered by their credit card insurance, but they were not. How do you find out if you are covered for what you think you are covered?

Some points to discuss with your credit card company (I suggest getting responses in writing)…

1.  Your tour operator cancels your trip. In most cases, the tour operator will refund you your money, but what about airfare and other related expenses? 2.  Acts of war or local protests. Terrorism may be covered by your policy but acts of war or civil unrest are often excluded. 3.  Pre-existing medical conditions. This applies not only to yourself and traveling companion, but also any close relative, for example. If a medical condition exists prior to travel, you may not be covered. 4.  Baggage delay. Check to see what the delay of time requirement is. If it is 24 hours or longer, and you arrived at 6:00 PM the night before your cruise which departs at 4:00 PM the next day, you may not be covered. 5.  Illness or death of a pet. Pets are increasingly being considered as members of the family. Does your insurance cover for the cancellation of a trip if your pet is very sick or dies? 6.  Loss or damage to keys, money, documents, tickets or credit cards. These are often excluded under insurance policies. 7.  Sports injuries: many hard adventure sports are excluded from coverage — bungee jumping, paragliding, mountain climbing or white water rafting are likely to be excluded. 8.  Pregnancy and childbirth. When vacations are often booked a year or more in advance, a pregnancy can create major problems for a planned vacation. Be sure you understand the tour operators’ rules for travel while pregnant because that is usually not covered under travel insurance. 9.  Self-inflicted injury or psychological illness. Coverage for these problems is often excluded. 10. Divorce. If one of you files for divorce from the other, that is usually excluded from coverage. 11. If you do not leave an appropriate amount of time between connections, a weather delay that breaks the connection may not be covered.

Check with your travel agent to see if the insurance that is offered covers these situations – often, booking through a travel agent who represents a full-fledged travel insurance company, you may find that coverage is available.

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• Home     Policy Wording Explained     What is Luggage Delay?

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What is Luggage Delay?

You've been travelling since 3.30am, there's no air conditioning in the airport and your suitcase is yet to make an appearance on the conveyor belt - not quite the start you were expecting to your week in paradise..

With millions of travellers departing from airports across the UK, baggage does occasionally get mixed up or lost in transit. But what cover can you expect from your travel insurance if it’s your luggage that gets left behind?

What does Luggage Delay cover me for?

If your luggage does not arrive at your destination you should contact the tour operator at the airport, station, terminal or port first. You will be asked to provide your address, telephone number and a description of the missing luggage, the staff will then hand you a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) which you must keep hold of. If you fail to report your luggage lost or stolen before leaving the arrival lounge the travel company may not accept responsibility.

Travel insurance policies differ greatly in terms of cover for lost, delayed or stolen baggage; therefore, we recommend reading the policy wording carefully to make sure the cover and associated limits are adequate before buying the policy. Generally speaking, lost, delayed or stolen luggage cover is to reimburse any additional expenses used to purchase essential items needed until your luggage is returned (the cover limit is usually between £100-£300 depending on the type of travel insurance policy you have bought).

It is important to note, if your luggage is not returned to you, you may be able to claim for your possessions under the personal possession section of your policy – make sure the cover levels are suitable for the luggage you are planning to take.

Do I need Luggage Delay cover on my travel insurance policy?

When buying travel insurance, it is best to make sure you are covered for every eventuality so you are not left out of pocket if you need to make a claim.

Depending on the policy you buy, the cover level for lost, stolen or delayed baggage will differ, therefore you should make sure you read the policy wording carefully to ensure you are buying a policy that will suit your needs.

Is Luggage Delay covered in my policy as standard?

Not all travel insurance policies will cover for lost or delayed baggage as standard. If this is something you would like covered it is a good idea to ask the insurer or check the policy wording before purchasing. It is also worth noting, your travel insurance is there to help you get back to the same financial position you were in before any event took place. Therefore, if the airline has already offered compensation or returned your luggage, it is unlikely you will be able to make a claim under your travel insurance as well.

If you do need to submit a claim through your travel insurance, bear in mind most policies will only cover luggage that was checked-in and not returned back you within a certain time frame (usually between 12 and 24 hours) of you arriving at your destination.

It may also be a good idea to consider the excess level when buying a policy; the cover level for lost luggage may be £100 for essential items but if your excess is set at £250 you will be left out of pocket . There are some travel insurance policies that will not charge an excess when claiming for luggage delay. Or you could look for a policy that will offer a lower excess or no excess, these policies should only cost you a couple of extra pounds – which will be money well spent should you need to claim.

How does Luggage Delay work when making a claim?

All essential items are to be paid for by you and then claimed back through your travel insurance provider when you return back to the UK.

To submit a claim, you will need to fill out a claim form which can either be obtained online or by calling your travel insurance company, this will differ from provider to provider. You will be required to supply receipts of all the essential items you’ve purchased – so make sure you keep them in a safe place and don’t just throw them in the bin.

It is important to note, your insurance provider will only pay up to the limit on the policy, if you have spent £150 on all the essential items you require, but your cover limit is £100 you will only receive £100 less any policy excess. So, check the cover will be adequate before you buy a policy.

You will also need to provide a copy of your Property Irregularity Report (PIR) when making a claim, so make sure this is kept in a safe place too.

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Lost, Delayed, or Damaged Baggage

While the vast majority of airline passengers’ checked bags arrive at their destination on time and in the condition received, a passengers’ bag may occasionally become damaged, delayed, or lost in transit.  Under DOT regulations (for domestic travel) and international treaties (for international travel), airlines are required to compensate passengers if their bags are damaged, delayed, or lost.  You can find tips on how to pack, check-in, and claim your luggage to minimize the chance of damage, delay, or loss in DOT’s Fly Rights publication here .

Damaged Baggage

What are airlines’ responsibilities when they damage your baggage?

Airlines are responsible for repairing or reimbursing a passenger for damaged baggage and/or its contents when the damage occurs while the bag is under the airline’s control during transportation (subject to maximum limits on liabilities ).

Airlines are not responsible for pre-existing damage to the bag or if the damage was caused by improper packing.

When the damage to the bag cannot be repaired, airlines will negotiate a compensation amount based on the value of the bag and its depreciation.

Can the airlines exclude liability for certain items?

Airlines often exclude liability for certain categories of items (for example: fragile items, electronics, cash, perishable items, other valuables, etc.).  These exclusions are typically listed in the airlines’ contracts of carriage.

For DOMESTIC travel, airlines are not required to compensate passengers for items they have excluded in their contracts of carriage.

For INTERNATIONAL travel (including the domestic segment of an international itinerary), airlines are responsible for these items if they have accepted them for transportation.  This applies even if passengers did not disclose, when they checked-in, that these items were packed in the bag.

Passengers may wish to consider purchasing additional insurance for valuable items.

What about damage to the wheels, handles, or straps of baggage?

Although airlines are not required to cover fair wear and tear, airlines cannot exclude liability for damage to wheels, handles, straps, and other components of checked baggage. 

Delayed Baggage

What should a passenger do if his or her bag is missing after taking a flight

When a checked bag does not arrive at its destination, airlines are responsible for locating the bag.  Airlines have tracking systems in place to try to identify the bag’s location.  

Some airlines now offer applications for cell phones, tablets, and other electronic devices, which provide passengers with data on the location of their baggage.  It may be helpful to use this technology to locate your baggage, if available.

Passengers should file a baggage claim with their airline as soon as possible . 

Passengers should stay in close communication with the airline after filing a claim and during the baggage location process. 

What are airlines’ responsibilities when your bag is delayed?

Airlines are required to compensate passengers for reasonable, verifiable, and actual incidental expenses that they may incur while their bags are delayed - subject to the maximum liability limits .

Airlines are not allowed to set an arbitrary daily amount for interim expenses.  For example, an airline cannot have a policy that they will reimburse a passenger up to only $50 for each day that a passenger’s bag is delayed.

Lost Baggage

When does an airline consider a bag lost?

Airlines may have different policies to determine when a bag is officially lost.  Most airlines will declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight, but this can vary from one airline to another.

Whether your bag is declared lost may also depend on the type of itinerary (international vs. domestic), whether more than one airline is responsible for the flight, the airline’s searching mechanism, and other circumstances.

If an airline unreasonably refuses to consider a bag lost after it has been missing for an unreasonable period of time, the airline could be subject to enforcement action by the DOT.

What are the airlines’ responsibilities when your bag is lost?

Once an airline determines that your bag is lost, the airline is responsible for compensating you for your bags’ contents - subject to depreciation and maximum liability limits.

Airlines are also required to refund any fees you paid the airline to transport the bag that was lost.

Airlines may require receipts or other proof for valuable items that were in the lost bags.

Limits on Baggage Liability

Domestic Baggage Liability

For DOMESTIC flights, DOT regulation allows airlines to limit their liability for a lost, damaged, or delayed bag. Airlines are free to pay more than the limit, but are not required to do so.

The maximum liability amount allowed by the regulation is  $3,800 per passenger.

International Baggage Liability

For most INTERNATIONAL flights, a treaty called the Montreal Convention applies to the carriage of baggage.  The maximum baggage liability for flights covered by the Montreal Convention is currently 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (approximately $1,700.00 US) per passenger.  This is the most that airlines must pay a passenger for a lost, damaged, or delayed bag.  Airlines are free to pay more than the limit, but are not required to do so.

The Montreal Convention’s international baggage liability limit is reviewed for inflationary adjustment every five years by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) .

In the few situations when the Montreal Convention does not apply to travel to and from the United States, an older treaty called the “ Warsaw Convention ” may apply.

Assistive Devices

An assistive device is any piece of equipment that assists a passenger with a disability in coping with the effects of his or her disability.  These devices are intended to assist passengers with a disability to hear, see, communicate, maneuver, or perform other functions of daily life.  Assistive devices include (but are not limited to):

Crutches, Canes, and Walkers

Braces/Prosthetics

Wheelchairs

Hearing aids

Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs)

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines

Prescription medications and any medical devices needed to administer those medications, such as syringes or auto-injectors

Note :  If you are not sure if your device is an assistive device, contact your airline’s disability or special assistance desk.

Assistive devices used by passengers with disabilities that are lost or damaged  during DOMESTIC air travel are not subject to the rules limiting liability for lost or damaged baggage. On domestic flights, airlines’ liability for lost or damaged assistive devices is the original purchase price of the assistive device.  If an airline destroys or loses a $20,000 assistive device during a domestic flight, the airline is liable for $20,000. If an airline damages but doesn’t destroy a $20,000 assistive device, then the airline is liable for the damage up to the cost of original purchase price.

Assistive devices used by passengers with disabilities that are lost or damaged during INTERNATIONAL air travel are subject to the maximum liability limit set by the applicable international treaty. 

When a passenger’s wheelchair or other assistive device must be disassembled for stowage during air transportation, the airline must return the assistive device in the same condition in which the airline accepted it, including making necessary repairs if the device is damaged.

DOT Relaunches Air Consumer Website

Which credit cards cover baggage delays?

There are two types of travelers: those who prefer carry-on luggage, and those who prefer to check a bag .

If you check a bag, you're familiar with the downsides. Waiting at baggage claim can delay the start of your trip, and careless bag handlers could result in damage to your luggage.

The worst by far, though, is when your luggage isn't there when you finally reach your destination. Even if the airline can tell you the location of your luggage (or even if you can find it using products like Apple AirTags) , it still may take a while to be reunited with your bag.

In the meantime, you'll be left without essential items like a change of clothing and toiletries — and this may be even more likely during the burgeoning headache that sometimes accompanies peak travel periods (we're looking at you, winter travel season ).

Related: What to do when your luggage is delayed or lost by an airline

Some airlines have policies for reimbursing travelers for essential items when a bag is delayed, but this reimbursement is often limited and can be difficult to obtain. Travel insurance is another option for seeking reimbursement.

But there's also the option I rely on and have used multiple times: the baggage delay protection that is included on select credit cards simply by paying for the flight with one of these cards.

Here are some of the best credit cards that offer this perk to cardholders.

What is baggage delay protection?

The baggage delay protection offered by select credit cards can reimburse you for the cost of necessary personal and business items while you wait for your checked bag when it's delayed by a common carrier.

A common carrier is a company that transports any public passenger who pays a fare or buys a ticket and provides service on a regular schedule; common carrier examples include planes, trains, ferries and cruise ships.

What's covered by baggage delay protection?

Generally, baggage delay protection covers the things that you might need while your bag is delayed. This includes items like a change of clothes and toiletries. But depending on your situation, other items might be allowable. Maximums and restrictions vary from credit card to credit card.

Chase cards that offer baggage delay protection usually carry constraints. For example, the following items are excluded:

• Hearing aids
• Artificial teeth, dental bridges or prosthetic devices
• Tickets, documents, money, securities, checks, traveler's checks and valuable papers
• Business samples
• Jewelry and watches
• Cameras, video recorders and other electronic equipment
• Recreational equipment

These items above are items you want to always put in your carry-on bags .

How do I get coverage?

The eligibility requirements differ from card to card, so check your specific guide to benefits to be sure.

Most of the cards discussed in this guide provide coverage as long as some part of the common carrier fare (like your airline ticket) is paid for either with the card or by redeeming points associated with the card. This means that paying the taxes and fees on an award ticket counts as paying for part of the flight for most cards discussed here.

That's why you'll want to use a credit card that provides benefits even when you book an award ticket and only pay the taxes and fees on the award using the card.

One final restriction to note: Most of the cards mentioned in this guide don't provide baggage delay protection if the bag is delayed when you're returning home to your primary residence.

Credit cards that offer baggage delay coverage

The information for the Aviator Red, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier and the United Club Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Note that most of the cards listed in the table above also have the following restrictions:

• Coverage is secondary, so you'll need to file claims with the airline and any other sources (like travel insurance) first
• Immediate family is covered even if you book a ticket for them with your card but aren't traveling with them
• Coverage isn't provided when your destination is your permanent residence

It's worth noting that The Platinum Card® from American Express , one of our favorite cards for buying airfare, doesn't offer this protection . You may still want to use this card for your flights thanks to the 5 points per dollar you'll earn for flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases each year), but be sure to keep this limitation in mind when choosing which card to use.

How to file a claim

Before filing a claim with your credit card's benefits department, you'll need to:

• Notify the airline about the delayed or lost luggage. Generally, this is done by filing a report at the airline's baggage services desk before leaving the airport. Get a copy of this report (including a reference or tracking number), as you'll likely need to submit it with your claim.
• Get documentation from the airline regarding the delayed baggage and the actions the airline is taking to locate and return the luggage. If the airline offers any reimbursement for items you need while your bag is delayed, get information on how to file this claim.
• Keep original, itemized receipts of all necessary items you purchased while your baggage was delayed. If you are buying non-covered items at the same merchant — like snacks or entertainment for the kids — pay for these in separate transactions to avoid any confusion.
• Keep any documentation that is provided when your delayed bag is delivered. This will prove the time at which the baggage was delivered.

If your luggage is indeed delayed, take a look at your credit card's guide to benefits to determine the next steps, or simply call the number on the back of your card if you don't have your benefits guide handy. Don't take too long, either, as you'll need to start the claim process relatively quickly.

To give you some context on common timelines, if you purchased your trip with an eligible Chase credit card listed above, you'll usually have 20 days from when your bag was delayed to file a claim notice.

Then, you'll be sent a "Proof of Loss" form. You'll need to return it along with receipts and other documentation within 90 days from when your bag was delayed. From there, approved claims can take up to 60 days to be paid.

Finally, if you're flying Alaska Airlines or Delta Air Lines, be sure to file a claim for bonus miles . Both carriers will award you 2,500 bonus miles (Alaska also allows you to choose a $25 flight voucher) if your bag doesn't reach baggage claim within 20 minutes of arrival.

Bottom line

Unfortunately, delayed baggage insurance is still relatively rare among credit cards. The good news, however, is that a couple of major credit cards do offer this insurance to help ease the process of traveling with checked luggage.

In the rare case when a bag is delayed, however, you'll be glad you booked your flight with a credit card that offers a delayed baggage benefit. It cannot be stressed enough that the details of this oft-overlooked benefit differ from card to card, so be sure to check your guide to benefits for the exact details on the credit card you usually use to book flights.

That way, you'll know what to do and what you're entitled to if your luggage is delayed on a future trip.

June 1, 2020

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Baggage Delay

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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Travel Insurance and Your Luggage: How it Can Help When Flying

Do the scenes of fields of bags spread out across an airport put a knot in the pit of your stomach, thinking that your bag could be in there? If so, read on.

There’s no question the number of mishandled bags is rising. According to the Department of Transportation’s Air Traffic Consumer Reports , the number of mishandled bags increased 59% from 2021 to 2022.

The percentage of bags mishandled is low – less than 1% – but a 59% increase is especially significant when you consider that the number of mishandled bags usually only changes a small bit from measurement period to measurement period.

While people have had some good results slipping a tracking tag into their luggage, that shouldn’t be all you do to ensure the safety of your luggage and its contents. Travel insurance that covers your luggage and personal belongings is an important piece of the baggage protection puzzle.

Travel insurance for luggage and personal items

Generali travel insurance includes coverage for lost, damaged, stolen, and delayed baggage – which can be helpful when you’re flying.

Our Premium Plan has $2,000 in coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage. If you think about what you spent on your bags and what might be inside them, it can be easy to blow past the $2,000 mark. One piece of jewelry or a camera could do it.

Some things our plans won’t cover:

• Musical instruments
• Phones and computers
• Medicine and cosmetics

See more exclusions

The good news is that many of the things you’d pack in a suitcase are covered. You probably wouldn’t pack your phone, money, or a tablet in a checked bag.

But clothes, shoes, jewelry, and other common traveling items may be covered under the Baggage benefit.

Does travel insurance cover delayed baggage?

Yes, travel insurance doesn’t just cover lost, damaged, or stolen baggage. It covers baggage delay as well.

Baggage Delay coverage may reimburse you for replacement clothing and personal articles that are needed while the baggage is delayed, so save those receipts.

Sporting Equipment Delay coverage may reimburse you for the cost of renting replacement equipment and/or locating your delayed Sporting Equipment and having it returned to you.

Important Notes:  To qualify for coverage, baggage must be delayed for at least 24 hours with a Standard Plan, 18 hours with a Preferred Plan and 12 hours with a Premium Plan. Sporting Equipment must be delayed for at least 18 hours with the Preferred Plan, 12 hours with the Premium Plan, and coverage is not included with the Standard Plan.

Pro tip: An additional benefit you might not have expected is that Generali may reimburse you for the cost of having your clothes cleaned while waiting for your luggage to arrive.

Also read:  How to Keep Your Travel Bags Safe

Other things to know about Baggage coverage

When baggage mishandling occurs that is the fault of the airline, the airline will often pay for lost items or costs to reunite you with your bag. In these cases, it is the responsibility of the airline to provide agreed upon arrangements first and travel insurance may cover the remainder. See our handy list of links to airline customer service agreements to learn how the most popular airlines handle baggage problems.

Generali Baggage coverage is secondary, which means if you have coverage through your homeowner’s policy for baggage or items in your baggage, it will pay first, and then travel insurance will pay for any items that haven’t already been replaced or reimbursed.

In addition to letting your insurance company know about your lost luggage, you also need to notify authorities at the site where you believe it was lost – such as an airline’s baggage office. You also need to file a police report if it was stolen.

There’s a lot more to travel insurance for luggage than just paying for replacement bags. Get a quick quote to see options for protecting your trip.

 In the meantime, is that your bag in the security-camera footage at Heathrow?

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Delayed Baggage

General principles.

• Checked baggage must be delivered to passengers upon arrival.
• CAD$2,300 (approx.) on itineraries within Canada and international itineries, including to the US; and
• US$3,800 on domestic itineraries within the US.
• If your baggage is delayed, the airline must also refund the baggage fee.

Important Deadlines

To assert your right to compensation, you must:

• within 21 days of receiving your baggage, complain to the airline in writing , and
• within 2 years of your arrival, initiate legal action .

Failure to observe these deadlines may result in losing your right to compensation.

Checked baggage that has been missing for more than 21 days is deemed to be lost for the purpose of compensation. See Lost Baggage for details.

Applicable Law

Your rights are governed by:

• section 23 of the Air Passenger Protection Regulations ,
• the Montreal Convention , and
• 14 CFR Part 254.4 , if you were travelling only within the United States.

Step by Step Guide

Follow these steps if your baggage is delayed.

Find answers to frequently asked questions here.

List of terms frequently used in the context of baggage.

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Air Passenger Bill

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Lost, damaged or delayed baggage

Filing a baggage claim with the airline

Keep in mind the following time limits:

• You must submit a claim in writing to the airline within 7 days after receiving your damaged baggage.
• For travel on an international itinerary : You must submit a claim in writing to the airline within 21 days after receiving your baggage;
• For travel on a domestic itinerary : You should submit a claim in writing to the airline as soon as possible and no later than the time limit found in the airline's tariff (the contract of transport between you and the airline).
• You should submit a claim in writing to the airline as soon as possible.

Remember to keep copies of your baggage information, baggage tags, and receipts for any expenses that you have to pay to temporarily (or permanently) replace the items that were in your baggage.

Your rights

Lost and damaged baggage.

The airline must refund any fees you had to pay for baggage services if your baggage has been lost or damaged. These could include:

• standard baggage fees;
• fees for extra baggage; and/or
• fees for oversized and/or overweight baggage.

If your baggage is lost or damaged while in the airline's care, the airline must compensate you up to approximately $2,350 to replace items that were lost or damaged .

The airline does not have to compensate you if the damage resulted from the quality of your baggage.

Delayed baggage

For travel on an international itinerary.

The airline must compensate you up to approximately $2,350 for items you may need until your baggage is returned to you.

The airline does not have to compensate you if it took all reasonable measures to avoid the issue or if it was impossible for them to take these measures.

For travel on a domestic itinerary

Your rights are outlined in the airline's tariff (the contract of transport between you and the airline).

Passenger recourse

If you are not satisfied with the airline's response to your claim, or you haven’t received a response within 30 days, you can make a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency.

Resources and references

Baggage Requirements for Domestic Services: A Guide explains what airlines must do to meet baggage requirements of the Air Passenger Protection Regulations for domestic services.

Reference: Airline obligations for lost, damaged or delayed baggage are set out in Montreal Convention and the Air Passenger Protection Regulations .

This is not a legal document. The explanations it provides are for information purposes only. Airline obligations can be found in the Air Passenger Protection Regulations . In case of differences between this document and legislation or regulations, the legislation and regulations prevail.

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Delayed, lost or damaged baggage

We are committed to doing our best to deliver your baggage on time and understand the inconvenience of having a bag misplaced or damaged.

Use the options below to create a new baggage report, check the status of an existing baggage report, submit a request for reimbursement or to locate items left on board.

Delayed baggage

Here is what to do if your baggage doesn’t arrive with you:

Create a baggage report

Create a baggage report within 12 hours of arriving at your destination. Provide your contact information, a description of your baggage and any other information that would help us to locate your bag.  Once you submit your report you will receive email updates on our progress.

See a Baggage Services Agent

See a Baggage Services Agent at the arrival airport (select airports only). An agent will create a delayed baggage report for you and advise you of the next steps.

Interim expenses for delayed bags

• Itemized receipts are required to be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred as a direct result of your delayed baggage.
• For flights within the America's, you may be entitled to an amount up to $100 CAD/USD for the first 48 hours while your baggage is delayed. After 48 hours, you may be entitled to a further $150 for a total of $250. The foregoing does not limit a passenger's rights to claim damages, if any, under the applicable convention or under the law.
• For flights into Europe and Japan, you will be reimbursed up to the equivalent of $100 CAD in either Euros, GBP or Japanese Yen.
• For out-of-pocket expenses related to a delayed or damaged baggage incident within our control, you may submit a  request to WestJet for reimbursement .

Compensation for lost bags

If your baggage is deemed lost, or if the baggage is lost for more than 21 days or is damaged, we will reimburse the applicable fees for that baggage. WestJet's liability for lost and damaged baggage is limited to 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (approximately $2,300 CAD) per passenger, unless a higher value was declared in advance.

Damaged baggage

If your baggage was damaged:

Create a baggage report

Create a baggage report within 5 days of arriving at your destination. A member of our Central Baggage Services team will contact you to discuss resolution options.

Bring your damaged luggage to the baggage services office in your arrival airport within 7 days of receiving it.

WestJet's limitation of liability as a result of damage is (including incidental expenses) up to 1,288 Special Drawing Rights per guest (approximately $2,300 CAD) and you will be reimbursed for any applicable baggage fee paid.

Please review our  domestic tariff , rule 120 (Limitation of Liability) or  international tariff , rule 60 (Limitation of liability for baggage or goods), for more information. 

For more information about your passenger rights see below or visit the Canadian Transportation Agency website or review the  Air Passenger Protection Regulations .

Dangerous goods

Items identified as dangerous goods and removed from checked baggage are held by WestJet for up to a maximum of 72 hours pending storage availability. Items not recovered after 72 hours will be disposed of.

If you experienced an error while creating a baggage report or spoke to a Baggage Services Agent at the airport and were not given a file number, please  contact us .

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Check out all the travel products and services we offer to help you make your money go that little bit further when travelling abroad. 

Order foreign currency.

Need some cash for your holiday? Order it today and have it delivered securely to your home or nearest branch for free.

Accounts with travel benefits.

• Clarity Credit Card  – ideal to use when travelling as there are no usage fees.
• Ultimate Reward Current Account  – has travel insurance included, plus a range of other benefits for a monthly maintaining the account fee.

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If you want to use an existing Halifax debit or credit card outside the UK, make sure you're aware of any costs involved.

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Buy Travel Insurance With Baggage Cover Instantly

Baggage insurance.

Usually, baggage insurance is covered under travel insurance . Travelling reinforces and elevates the drained energy and makes you feel sprightly. Besides, it helps you create memories that linger with you for a lifetime. And, to make most of your trips and have an exceptionally beautiful experience, it is important to plan your trip appropriately.

Key benefits of travel insurance with baggage cover

• Trip Cancellation
• Medical assistance upto $5 lacs
• Local Assistance
• Baggage lost or delayed cover
• Duplicate or new passport, in case it gets lost
• Compensation when flight gets delayed
• Reimburse bounced bookings of hotels & airline
• Automatic policy extension for 7 days
• Reimburse for emergency transportation to a hospital, treatment and medical supplies.

Baggage Insurance Overview

While you plan a trip, there are several things of which you need to take care. A few of the most important things to decide are the belongings that you need to carry. You might end up packing many things, necessary or unnecessary so that you don’t miss out on anything important to carry and have a hassle-free trip. Besides the fancy things, your baggage includes important things like travel documents (like passport, etc.), medicines etc., and valuable things like your expensive camera, jewellery, etc. And, you can’t afford to lose any of them because if you do, you might have to bear a significant loss, and your trip might come to a standstill or get spoilt.

Despite taking care of your baggage and submitting the same to the airline authority, what if, after reaching your destination country, you discover that your check-in baggage has not arrived? This could happen due to any of the two reasons,

• Baggage Loss
• Baggage Delay

As the check-in baggage is the airline authority’s responsibility and stored in an inaccessible area to the passenger, they must ensure the delivery of your baggage to your destination country. Nonetheless, contingencies might arrive at any time and anywhere. Due to this, your baggage might get lost or delayed due to any of the following mishaps:

• Misdirected by the carrier
• Lost from the carousel
• Insufficient Baggage Handlers
• Routing label damage

In such a case, it might get difficult for you to continue your trip the same way. If your baggage is delayed, you might have to incur additional expenses, and if your baggage is lost, you might lose your valuable items. In both cases, you will have to bear the loss.

Nonetheless, if you are covered under Tata AIG’s Travel Insurance , you can stay worry-free about your baggage and other unexpected events during the trip. Depending on your sum insured and policy specifications, we provide you with the maximum benefits possible so that you can enjoy your trip to the fullest. Otherwise, such minor or major hurdles might break the excitement and flow of your trip, thus, hampering your trip. Read further to know about the inclusions and exclusions under the travel insurance in case of your baggage loss or delay.

Baggage Delay Cover

If your check-in baggage is delayed by the common carrier due to misdirection or any other reason, we will reimburse you for the expense of personal effects upto the maximum amount mentioned in the policy schedule, subject to the deductibles. For availing of compensation, you should be a ticketed passenger, and the common carrier must verify all your claims and certify the delay or misdirection.

In addition to general exclusions, if the baggage delay takes place in the Republic of India, we will not be liable to compensate for the same.

Baggage Loss Cover

If the entire piece of your check-in baggage gets lost and does not reach your place of destination, which was in the custody of the common carrier, we will be liable to compensate you for the loss. This could happen due to misdirection by the common carrier or theft. However, to avail of the benefits, it is important to be a ticketed passenger.

The reimbursement amount of the entire lost baggage or its contents is subject to deductibles and upto the maximum amount mentioned in your policy schedule. Additionally, all the claims must be verified by the common carrier.

Apart from this, there are certain limitations in the context of the reimbursement amount; find them below:

• The maximum reimbursement limit per bag is 50% of the amount mentioned in the policy schedule,
• The maximum reimbursement amount per article in any bag is 10% of the amount stated in the policy schedule
• There is a combined maximum limit of 10% on the reimbursement amount stated in the policy schedule if any of the valuable items such as jewellery, watches, articles in whole or in part of silver, gold or platinum, etc., is lost.

In case of loss of a pair/set (e.g. a pair of earrings), we may

• Repair or replace a part of your loss so that the value of a pair/set can be restored to its actual value, i.e., the value before the loss;
• Pay the difference between the cash value of the property before and after the loss.

We are not liable to:

• compensate in case of damage to the baggage or partial loss of the contents of baggage.
• compensate for property loss, which is insured under any other insurance or reimbursed by the common carrier
• compensate for baggage or souvenirs sent in advance or shipped separately
• compensate for consumables and perishables; any conveyance; household effects; electronic equipment like computer, cellular phones disc player, etc.; eyeglasses, sunglasses or contact lenses; debit cards and cheques, etc.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the difference between check-in baggage and cabin baggage.

Check-in baggage is the baggage you submit to the airline authority, which ensures the delivery of your baggage to your destination location. Whereas cabin baggage is the hand baggage that you carry inside the cabin, and you are responsible for the same.

What Is Covered Under Baggage Insurance Policy?

Baggage insurance is a component of travel insurance. Under this, we will compensate you for the expense of personal effect if the check-in baggage is lost or delayed by the common carrier, subject to certain terms and conditions. Also, all the claims must be verified by the common carrier.

Is Check-in Baggage Insured?

Once your baggage is submitted to the airline authority, it is included in your check-in baggage and is insured under the travel insurance. If the baggage gets lost or delayed by the common carrier due to misdirection or any other covered hazard, we will reimburse the loss while considering your policy specifications.

If I Deliver a Part of My Baggage Before the Date of My Return to the Home Country and it Gets Misplaced or Lost on the Way, Will I Eligible For the Compensation for the Same?

Under TATA AIG’s Travel Insurance, we are liable to compensate for the loss or delay of check-in baggage while you are travelling. However, if you ship your baggage before you leave for your home country, we will not be liable for any compensation.

Disclaimer / TnC

Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions & inclusions and exclusions mentioned in your policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.

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Insurance is the subject matter of the solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms and conditions, please read sales brochure / policy wording carefully before concluding a sale. Trade logo displayed above belongs to TATA Sons Private Limited and AIG and used by TATA AIG General Insurance Company Limited under License. 2008, TATA AIG General Insurance Company Limited, all rights reserved. Registered Office : Peninsula Business Park, Tower A, 15th Floor, G.K.Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400 013, Maharashtra, India. CIN: U85110MH2000PLC128425. IRDA of India Regn. No. 108. Toll Free Number : 1800 266 7780 / 1800 22 9966 (only for senior citizen policy holders). Email Id – [email protected] . Category of Certificate of Registration: General Insurance.

2008, Tata AIG General Insurance Company Limited, all rights reserved. Registered Office : Peninsula Business Park, Tower A, 15th Floor, G.K.Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400 013, Maharashtra, India. CINNumber : U85110MH2000PLC128425. Registered with IRDA of India Regn. No. 108. Insurance is the subject matter of the solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms and conditions, please read sales brochure / policy wording carefully before concluding a sale. Trade logo displayed above belongs to Tata Sons Private Limited and AIG and used by TATA AIG General Insurance Company Limited under License. Toll Free Number : 1800 266 7780 / 1800 22 9966 (only for senior citizen policy holders). Email Id – [email protected] .

How credit cards can help you deal with lost luggage

There’s no faster way to ruin a long-awaited vacation than discovering that an airline has lost your luggage.

While the odds of that nightmare scenario happening are improving, more than 154,600 bags were mishandled by airline carriers in November 2023 alone, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation .

While more travelers are opting to fly with only a carry-on these days, that’s not always possible for extended vacations or during the holidays, when we tend to load up our bags with gifts for family and friends. So, what can flyers do to protect themselves against the agony of an AWOL suitcase?

For starters, many  top rewards credit cards already include surprisingly comprehensive travel protections, including  insurance coverage for baggage mishaps . Two types of luggage insurance typically offered include incidents of lost baggage and baggage that is severely delayed by several hours. For delays, that means your credit card issuer will often reimburse you for any necessities purchased while you wait for your bag to turn up — including those for toiletries, medication and clothing.

In the event that your baggage is lost indefinitely, you may be entitled to a full refund — so long as you purchased the flight with an eligible credit card and can provide adequate proof to support your claim. The extent of coverage varies by card. Generally,  premium rewards cards offer the broadest coverage. However, even premium credit cards have exceptions in place when it comes to jewelry, electronics and other high-value items.

Bankrate’s take: For expensive items or gifts you’re better off packing them in your carry-on. If you absolutely must check a bag, purchase excess valuation insurance from your airline. This will offer additional coverage beyond the airline’s standard liability.

How to file a lost luggage claim with your credit card issuer

As with most types of insurance, the process of filing a claim isn’t so straightforward. Prepare to wade through a lot of fine print . For example, to qualify for coverage, some cards require that you’ve already paid for the entire cost of the flight, while others are OK with just partial payment.

Credit card baggage insurance typically provides secondary coverage — meaning you must first file your claim with the carrier responsible for the loss. In this case, that’s your airline (though it can also include cruise ships and trains). Once you’ve determined your bag indeed has been lost, do not leave the airport without filing a missing baggage report at your airline’s baggage desk. Smaller airlines may not always have a dedicated baggage desk and may instead use contractors that handle baggage services for multiple carriers.

Keep in mind: Most credit card baggage delay coverage typically kicks in after your bag has been missing for longer than six hours, after which you may be reimbursed for necessities. However, this benefit is usually capped at $500 per ticket, so it’s by no means an invitation to shop until you drop.

While the majority of missing bags are only temporarily lost and eventually located by the airline, that’s not always the case. Some airlines will consider your bag permanently lost after 14 days, though here, too, that number can vary by carrier. Once this occurs, you’ll need to file a second, more detailed claim with the airline, often providing an itemized list and receipts to prove the value of the missing contents. Remember, the value of your items depreciates after purchasing, so don’t expect to get back exactly what you paid for a pair of jeans two years ago.

Once you have confirmation of the claim you’ve filed with your carrier, you can contact your benefits administrator to begin a claim with your credit card company. The allotted window for making your lost baggage claim will vary by card. Most range from 20 to 90 days from the date your bag went missing.

In addition, every credit card has slightly different requirements regarding what documentation you need to submit with your claim. Besides your original claim to the airline and original receipts, you may be asked to provide a travel itinerary, card statement with your flight purchase and proof of any reimbursements made by the airline.

Best credit cards for delayed or lost luggage insurance

Lost luggage prevention 101.

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and there are measures you can take to minimize your odds of losing a bag or at least make it a little easier to recover if it does go missing.

• Make your bag easy to identify . Attaching a luggage tag with your name and address is a great start, but those tags can easily fall off in transit. For that reason, you should include an additional means of identification inside your bag. A simple sheet of paper with your name and address will do just fine. And because so many bags are identical, adding some easily-identifiable flourish — like a tassel or a sticker — can go a long way in making your bag easier for baggage handlers to spot.
• Choose your route wisely . When you have to rush to make a connecting flight, so does your bag, and that’s just one more stop where things can go wrong. So whenever possible, opt for a nonstop flight. Of course, not everyone has the luxury of living near a well-connected airline hub, but you can still be selective about which airports you connect through. For example, suppose you can choose between a connection in Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) or Newark (EWR) for a January return holiday flight. In that case, it’s probably a safe assumption that Texas will be less affected by the sort of winter weather chaos that could separate you from your bag.
• Photograph the contents of your bag . When it comes time to file that claim, you’ll need all the evidence you can get to show exactly what was packed inside. Snapping a quick pic with your phone can help jog your memory later should you need to provide an itemized list.
• Use tracking devices . The Apple AirTag allows flyers to track the precise location of their luggage from drop-off to carousel using the iPhone Find My app. The small, disc-shaped device works flawlessly provided it stays looped to the exterior of your bag, which isn’t necessarily guaranteed. To prevent it from being stolen or becoming detached, you’re probably better off keeping the AirTag tucked away inside your suitcase. Note that AirTags use a lithium battery, but it’s well within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allowance of 0.3 grams, making it safe to fly with.
• Download your airline’s app . Having your airline’s app downloaded on your phone can help streamline everything from check-in to ancillary purchases, but some airline apps also alert you when your bag has been loaded onto an aircraft.

The bottom line

With passenger numbers soaring and airports continuing to struggle with staffing, it’s better to face travel knowing you might experience an ugly scene at the baggage carousel. Before you dash off to the airport, though, do your homework. Understand the  travel protections your credit card provides for lost luggage and delays. Visit your airline’s contract of carriage online, and get familiar with its liability policies and resolution process. And, if possible, pack any electronics, gifts and valuables in your carry-on, and be sure to document the contents of your checked baggage. In other words, plan for the worst and hope for the best.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Don't lose your items on the plane. They could end up resold here. | Cruising Altitude

Losing luggage is a nightmare scenario for many travelers. It could mean having to buy a whole new wardrobe or even parting with something near and dear to them.

But those lost items are sometimes given a second chapter thanks to Unclaimed Baggage, a store and e-commerce site that resells many items that vanish during travel.

“Airlines really are great in reuniting lost luggage,” Sonni Hood, public relations manager at Unclaimed Baggage, told me. But, she said, “a fraction of a percent adds up quickly when you consider that millions of people fly every day.” 

The store in Scottsboro, Alabama, said it introduces about 7,000 items to its shelves every day, and the online shopping portal sees about 5,000 new items each week. 

In a new report that Unclaimed Baggage plans to release annually, the store details the most common items in lost bags for the year.

“The different things that are happening in our culture eventually find their way into what people are packing in their suitcase,” Hood said. 

According to the Found Report , some of the most common items in 2023 were underwear, shoes and tablets/e-readers. (Sonni swore an oath that the store sells only unused underwear, so go forth with your shopping in peace.)

She also said lost luggage can teach you a lot about consumer trends. Lululemon is clearly having a moment – it’s one of the most popular brands in the store right now. Stanley cups also saw a spike in appearances in 2023, edging out Yetis and other thermos brands that were more popular in the past. Even electronics come and go in waves.

“Last year we found hardly any DSs, (but) we found so many Nintendo Switches,” Hood said.

The report also details some of the more novel finds of 2023, including two live snakes, 19 Rolex watches, a jar full of shark teeth, and a Halloween card from the 1980s signed by President Richard Nixon.

How to avoid losing your bags when you travel

Hood said there are simple steps travelers can take to make it less likely they lose their stuff in the first place – or more likely they’re reunited with it if something goes wrong.

Here are her essential tips:

• Label your bag inside and out with your name and up-to-date contact information.
• Remove old stickers and bag tags from your checked luggage.
• Make your suitcase stand out on the carousel so someone doesn’t accidentally take it.
• Pack all your essentials, like medicines, in your carry-on bag.
• And finally, don’t rush.

“Whenever you’re getting off the plane, it’s so easy to leave your Kindle or a cellphone or your glasses in the seat,” Hood said. So take a second to really make sure you have everything with you before you depart.

As someone who once left his jacket in the overhead bin and then spent hours trying to find it at the lost and found in London Heathrow Airport, I agree.

As Hood said earlier, airlines are generally pretty good about reuniting passengers with lost items. I did get that jacket back, for example. Here’s the process at the four largest U.S. airlines if you lose something on your trip.

American Airlines' lost luggage process

American recommends filing a report with the airport or with the Transportation Security Administration if you know you lost your stuff on the ground. But if you lost it on an aircraft or in a lounge, or you’re not sure where along your journey you may have left your things, there’s a process for filing a claim through AA.

According to American, once you file a claim, the airline will search for your items for up to 30 days. For lost baggage specifically, American requires you to make a report in person at the Baggage Services Office within four hours of landing. You'll also need to submit an online claim form and a checklist of the items when reporting a lost bag and requesting reimbursement for any of its contents. 

For all other individual items, AA has an online claim form, accessible by clicking here . 

Delta Air Lines' lost luggage process

Delta has online forms for lost, delayed or damaged bags and missing , nonchecked items that were lost on board, in a Delta lounge or in the gate area.

According to the airline, it will search for lost bags for about 21 days, and 30 days for lost nonchecked items after receiving a report. The airline recommends being as detailed as possible in your missing-items report and filing the report within seven days of noticing the items are missing. 

United Airlines' lost luggage process

United has an online claims process for lost luggage that hasn’t been found within five days of your arrival. The airline recommends going to the Baggage Service Airport if your luggage hasn’t arrived when you land or calling the Baggage Recovery Center if you’ve already left the airport. United requires passengers to report missing bags within 24 hours within the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico and within seven days at international destinations.

For missing nonchecked items, United also has an online form . 

Southwest Airlines' lost luggage process

Southwest requires passengers to file a report in person at the airport’s Baggage Service Offices if their bag does not arrive or to file an online report if they have already left the airport. 

Southwest requires passengers to make their claim within four hours of arrival for a domestic flight and within seven days for an international itinerary.

The missing-bag claim form also has an option for missing nonchecked items. 

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected]