Whether you are a frequent flyer or travelling for the first time, losing luggage is nothing but an extremely stressful experience that ultimately impacts your entire trip. Arriving at your destination and realising your luggage has been lost or misplaced is an absolute nightmare. However, the good news is that in recent years, the chance of losing your luggage has significantly reduced. Still, it is best to remain on the safer side and know what to do if your luggage has been misplaced or damaged. To recover any lost or damaged luggage, opting for travel insurance, especially for your luggage, is important.
This article will provide ample guidance about what to do if your luggage is lost or damaged.
When to report lost luggage?
If your luggage gets lost en route and as soon as you know about it, the first step you should take is to report it immediately at the airport or any other station you are at before leaving the baggage reclaim hall. To report the lost luggage, you must visit the help desk or the customer service desk to lodge the claim. In most cases, you will end up receiving your luggage in a matter of days. If the time limit for returning your luggage exceeds 20+ days, it will be classified as lost. Once your luggage attains the status of being lost, you can then make a claim for compensation with the airline or the insurance company.
How to report lost luggage?
To report lost luggage, you will have to report to the help desk of the claim area for the baggage at the airport. You have to fill out a report called PIR or Property Irregularity Report to know if the airline knows when your luggage will arrive. Once you have filled out the information, log on to the airline’s website to see the compensation they offer for essential purchases. Keep track of all the receipts you will get for those purchases. The claim time for every airline is variable, and it is suggested to ask the airline help desk when you can file a claim for your lost luggage.
What to do if I receive damaged luggage?
It is crucial to check your luggage properly before leaving the the claim area. If your luggage gets damaged during its journey, it is important to report it to the help desk as soon as possible. If you delay reporting the damage, there is a possibility that your claim may end up getting rejected.
How to report damaged luggage?
Just like lost luggage, you have to report your damaged luggage to the help desk or customer service in the claim area, fill in the required paperwork, and keep the documents safe for further processing. Keep track of the damage by taking photographs and make a video if you can. Collect the estimated cost for the damage; at least three quotes are necessary for the replacements and repairs. Check on the deadlines the airline has to offer for damaged luggage. The time period to report the damaged baggage is not as long as compared to lost luggage. It is best to report it as soon as you can within the given time frame.
Who should I make a claim to?
You have all the rights and leverage to file a claim to the airline or the transport company for any theft, loss, or damage to your luggage. However, if your claim is unsuccessful or the airline has a limited cover for these types of event, then your travel insurance may be able to assist you further. If you are traveling with expensive items, getting your travel insurance is essential, so you can claim on your valuable items. However, you will have to pay for policy excesses whenever you make a travel insurance claim. This limit is dependent on the cover level you choose (usually ranging from £0 – £75 per person) or you may have had the option to purchase an excess waiver.
How to make a claim with the insurance company for the luggage?
In order to file a claim with your insurance company:
- Get in touch with them as quickly as you can to fill out the claim form. After you have filled out your claim form, you will have to attach all the necessary paperwork relating to your damaged luggage, such as your boarding pass, your PIR form, the luggage labels, and any receipt relevant to your luggage.
- Provide your insurer with photographs and videos in the case of damaged luggage.
- Remember the exclusions your insurance company may have listed; most companies do not reimburse the loss cash if it was in your luggage. If you are unhappy with your insurer’s response, you can report the incident to the Financial Ombudsman Service. For this, you must keep a copy of the claim form and all the original documents.
What does Covered2Go travel insurance provide cover for?
Our insurance covers the following with a set conditions (this is not an exhaustive list, you can view the full list of terms and conditions in our Policy Wordings) as follows:
- In the event of your luggage and personal belongings becoming lost, stolden, damaged or destroyed, we cover up to the limit shown on your summary of cover (up to £5,000).
- Delayed luggage is also covered up to the limit shown on the summary of cover, if your luggage is delayed in reaching you on your outward journey for at least 24 hours. Cover is for the cost of buying replacement necessities. A written report must be obtained for the carrier (airline, shipping company) or tour represetative, and receipts will be necessary to make a claim.
- The personal baggage has to be yours and should not be hired or loaned to you.
- If submitting a claim for lost luggage, proper allowances should be made for wear and tear and depreciation.
- The value for the reimbursement or repair is for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage. It is limited to the single item as shown on the Summary of Cover for any one item, pair, or set of items.
- We do not cover insurance for contact lenses, dentures, hearing aids, prosthetics, antique items, musical instruments, ancillary equipment, vehicle accessories, or perishable items such as food and valuables left unattended.
How to make a Claim on your Covered2go Policy?
For loss / theft of luggage:
You will need written proof of the incident, this must be obtained from the police, the accommodation management, tour operator or carrier within 24 hours of the loss/theft. If the loss occurs during travel, you must obtain a Property irregularity Report from the carrier. Visit our Making A Claim page for details of who to contact and where you can submit your claim.
For delayed luggage:
If personal baggage is delayed, a written report from the carrier (e.g. airline, shipping company etc.) is required detailing the length and cause of the delay. Retain all the receipts which relate to any emergency replacement items you have purchased. Visit our Making A Claim page for details of who to contact and where you can submit your claim.
Ensure you won’t be left out of pocket if your luggage is lost or damaged, by taking out a travel insurance policy as soon as you book your trip. You can a get a quote for a wide-range of travel insurance options with Covered2Go.
