Travel insurance baggage cover

When we're talking about annoyances, there's none greater than lost or delayed baggage. You'll usually receive some form of compensation, but claiming with an airline is a complicated process and can be time-consuming.

That's where baggage cover comes in, typically included as part of a standard travel insurance policy. Having a policy means you'll be protected from the cost of replacing your belongings if they're lost, stolen or damaged.

What is baggage insurance?

Baggage or luggage insurance is typically included in a travel insurance policy and covers you if your bag is lost, damaged, stolen or delayed.

There are varying levels of cover that determine the item cover limit, protection for high value items and what exactly you can claim for. When exploring quotes and different policies, you should check the level of cover suits your needs and if there are any exclusions.

What does baggage insurance cover?

Generally it can cover costs if you're travelling and your baggage is:

Stolen

First and foremost, you should report your bag as stolen within 24 hours to police. The police will provide you with a crime reference number, you'll need this in order to make a claim. You can claim for theft, but you'll likely need to supply your insurer with receipts for your belongings. This may even cover the cost of a replacement passport, but you'd need to prove to your insurer that you weren't being careless when your passport was stolen.

Lost

If you lose baggage, it's important you report where the loss occurred. This can be in an airport, a restaurant, or any building or establishment. Written evidence of your report is necessary to advance your claim. Again, insurers will expect receipts if you're claiming for belongings.

Damaged

If you notice your luggage has been damaged, you should report it to the airline immediately if you're arriving at a foreign airport, for example. You could be entitled to receive compensation from the airline, but it's usually easier and quicker to claim on your travel insurance policy. You'll need to take photos of the damage to support your claim.

Delayed in transit

Your cover should protect you in the event of a delay, providing you with replacement items until your bag is returned to you. It's likely you may have to buy essential items before you're reunited with your luggage, but remember to keep any receipts for this. Some policies may also offer cover for delays affecting an outbound flight.

Usually, your policy will state a 'single-item limit', this is simply the maximum amount you can be compensated for one item. This is different to the overall limit, which is the combined cost of all of your items. High value items can significantly increase what you'll need from your cover limit. It might work out cheaper to find individual policies for high value items, bringing down the cover amount needed for the rest of your belongings.

What isn't covered by baggage insurance?

There are general exclusions you should be aware of with a baggage insurance policy, including:

Thefts that aren't reported in time

If you notice one or more of your items have been stolen, you should contact police within 24 hours. Many policies state you must do so in order to make it a claim, but some extend this to 48 hours.

Individual items worth more than the single-item limit

As we mentioned earlier, most policies have a single-item limit. So, if your limit for a single item is £1,000 and a watch worth £5,000 is stolen, you may not be able to make a claim. Instead, you can consider individual policies for high value items.

Belongings that exceed the claims limit

Baggage insurance policies typically state a combined cover amount limit. So, if you claim and the value of your belongings exceeds this, you'll have to cover the rest - leaving you out of pocket.

Luggage left unattended

If you leave your items unattended there's an increased risk of losing your bags, and they could be stolen. This also applies if any of your luggage is left in an unlocked car or room, so you won't be able to claim.

Lost money

Many insurers don't offer cover for this, but depending on your policy you may have cover included for stolen cash or cards. If this is something you want from your luggage insurance, you should check whether it's included before you buy a policy.

Items in the care of the airline

Lost or delayed baggage processed by the airline is their responsibility, so you'll need to claim through their complaints department. You still may be able to claim through your luggage insurance, but you must be able to provide paperwork from the airline documenting the loss.

Are mobile phones and other gadgets covered by baggage insurance?

In certain instances, high value gadgets aren't covered by luggage insurance if they exceed a certain value. In other cases, they simply count too heavily towards any combined limit in place - leaving you with little protection for any other belongings. You may be offered specific gadget insurance as an add-on, but you need to check the cover amount as this can vary.

Is business equipment covered by baggage insurance?

Items owned by a business aren't typically covered, but you may have business cover offered to you as a policy add-on. Again, always check the cover amount so the policy offers what you need from it!

Can I buy standalone baggage insurance?

Generally baggage insurance is part of a broader travel insurance policy, so it's unlikely you can buy this cover separately.

For specific high value items, you could get specific cover for your phone or laptop for example. These policies are specialised and can cover individual items away from home and abroad from loss, theft or damage. Just make sure these policies cover what you need when going away.

You might already be covered, or have the option to get cover for specific items through your bank, or home insurance policy. Contents insurance policies can have high value items listed, but they may not be covered abroad. Each policy is different, so check with your insurer.

How much baggage cover do I need?

This depends on your circumstances and what you need from your policy. You should take into account the total cover amount and single-item limit. You can opt for a policy with higher limits, but you'll have to pay more to do so.

If you're carrying business items or high value belongings, you should consider policy add-on features.

How do I claim on my baggage insurance?

If you need to make a claim, you should gather all the relevant documents. This can include your passport, flight booking, policy details and receipts for items if you're claiming for belongings.

• You should contact your insurer as soon as possible. If any items have been stolen, you'll need to contact the police first as you must have a crime reference number to progress a claim.
• Provide supporting evidence for your claim. This can include any relevant photos or details relating to why you're claiming.
• The more information you can provide, the more likely you are to progress your claim quickly. This must be accurate and truthful, otherwise you could invalidate your insurance policy.

Generally, you'll be able to complete a form online to start a claim, but you can also do this by post. Just make sure to include every supporting document you have relating to the case.

Can I claim on my insurance if my baggage has been lost by the airline or delayed?

When hold luggage is lost, delayed or damaged, your airline is liable. For losses, you will have to wait 21 days until it is officially classified as 'lost'. Until then, it is technically delayed, however you could still claim for this delay too.

In any case, you'll need to find your airline's baggage desk and most likely have to fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). You should describe in detail your luggage and its contents to the best of your ability. For damaged items, you must claim within 7 days outlining the damage.

How much can I get from an airline?

Your airline will reimburse you for delays and losses, but it will be a flat amount and won't take into account high value items. The maximum claim will also be much lower than insurance too, according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

This is normally a maximum amount of £1,000 but very rarely near this amount. There's a chance you may feel the offered compensation is unreasonable.

You can escalate the matter further, but it could be a costly and time-consuming experience - underlining the value of a luggage insurance policy.

What should I do if my luggage is stolen?

If your luggage is stolen, you should contact the local police immediately. Once you've reported the incident, ask for a crime reference number - your insurer will ask you to provide this.

When you contact the claims line of your travel insurer, they should outline the timeframe of your claim being approved and reimbursement if successful.

Remember, leaving luggage unattended may prevent you from being able to make a claim.

How can I keep my belongings safe while I'm travelling?

Taking extra steps to protect your belongings can go a long way, particularly on your travels. There are a number of ways you can do this:

• Use locks to secure your luggage and keep valuables in a safe, where possible
• Separate items such as clothes in different bags, so you still have essentials even if you lose some of your luggage
• Duplicate important documents such as boarding tickets
• Familiarise yourself with pickpocketing hotspots and local scams so you don't get caught out
• Tie labels to your bags with contact details and don't leave your luggage unattended

Is there an excess on baggage insurance?

Most insurance policies have some form of excess, and baggage insurance is no different. An excess is the amount you have to pay before the insurance company starts paying towards your claim.

Voluntary excess is what you choose to pay towards a claim - you can choose to increase this, and in turn you might pay less for your policy. But you must be able to afford this if you need to make a claim. Compulsory excess is set out by your insurer, and this cannot be changed.

If your loss is within the excess amount, then the insurance company won't pay for it. If your loss exceeds the amount of excess, they will pay for anything over this, but you always have to pay the excess regardless. Excess can vary a lot depending on the insurer and the policy you choose.

What type of travel insurance do I need?

There are several different types of cover, the policy you buy should be dictated by your own needs and circumstances. The types of insurance available to you include:

Annual, or multi-trip, travel insurance

If you're planning on going away multiple times in a year, it might be worth buying an annual travel insurance policy. It could save you money and give you peace of mind throughout the year. You may be restricted to the length of each trip you go on, but this can vary between insurers, so there should be policies to suit your needs.

Backpacker travel insurance

If you decide to take a trip through multiple countries that could last up to 18 months, a backpacker policy could be best for you. A standard policy is unlikely to cover you for this type of trip, especially if you're planning on taking part in multiple activities.

Single-trip travel insurance

This is the standard travel insurance policy that covers you for a one-off trip to a single destination. You can get single-trip cover for a family, couples, groups and more. It's possible to visit multiple countries with a single-trip policy, but you must check you're covered with your insurer first.

Is baggage insurance worth having?

Travel insurance isn't normally a legal requirement, but baggage cover is normally included as standard. A policy can provide financial cover if belongings are lost, stolen or damaged - so it's worth considering.

This is especially true if you need specific cover for business items or high value belongings. You may need to pay more for a greater level of cover, but you can rest easy knowing you're protected!