A collection of well travelled luggage and baggage.

Protect Your Baggage & Luggage

Last updated: 19th June 2023

Are you planning a trip? If so, don't forget to purchase baggage and luggage insurance! This type of coverage is important because it protects your belongings in the event that they are lost, stolen, or damaged while you are traveling.

No one wants to think about their belongings being lost or stolen, but it's better to be safe than sorry. With baggage and luggage insurance, you can rest assured knowing that you will be reimbursed for the cost of replacing your belongings if something does happen to them while you're on your trip.

Sitting with travel luggage waiting to board plane.

What is baggage and luggage insurance?

Baggage and luggage insurance is a type of insurance that covers the repair or replacement of your personal belongings if they are delayed, damaged, lost or stolen while you are traveling. This coverage is important because it protects you from having to pay out of pocket for expensive items such as laptops, cameras, and clothing.

It can also give you peace of mind knowing that if something does happen to your belongings while you are away from home, you will be reimbursed for the cost of replacing them.

What to do if your luggage gets lost?

Don't panic if you can't locate your luggage at the baggage claim after a safe journey to your destination. Although it may seem like an obvious thing to say, many people's first reaction is to panic. However, there's usually a reasonable explanation for a missing bag. Stay calm and think logically by asking individuals nearby if they've seen a bag resembling yours, scanning the surrounding area for any mistakenly grabbed bags, or asking airport staff if they have any information.

If you've already checked nearby and waited at the baggage claim, it may be time to seek help. Head to the nearest baggage office to scan your stubs to verify if your bags were delayed and put on a different flight or if they were meant to be on your flight; the staff can offer further guidance once they have more knowledge.

If the baggage office is unable to track your luggage, contact your airline immediately - whether by heading to their airport desk or calling them - as they are responsible for your luggage and will offer directions on what to do next.

Baggage reclaim carousel in airport.

What does baggage and luggage insurance cover?

Most baggage and luggage insurance policies have a per-item limit and a maximum total limit. This means that if you have an item that is particularly valuable, such as a laptop or camera, you may want to purchase a separate policy that specifically covers that item.

Some policies will cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen items, while others will only reimburse you for the value of the item at the time it was lost or stolen. Be sure to read the fine print of any policy you are considering so that you know exactly what is and is not covered. For example, some policies may not cover items that are left unattended in a public place.

You can also get coverage if your bags are delayed en route to your destination. Baggage delay coverage is a great way to cover the cost of essential items whilst you wait for your luggage to be delivered. Your baggage will need to be delayed for a specified period of time (usually between 6 and 24 hours) to be eligible for reimbursement - but this can really come in handy if things go wrong!

Luggage loaded into the trunk of a car on way to the airport.

How do I purchase baggage and luggage insurance?

There are a few different ways that you can purchase baggage and luggage insurance. You can buy it as part of a travel insurance policy, or you can purchase it separately from a baggage insurance company.

If you are buying it as part of a travel insurance policy, be sure to read the fine print carefully to see what is and is not covered. Some policies will only cover lost or stolen baggage, while others will also cover delays.

This type of coverage is most commonly found as part of All-Inclusive Travel Insurance packages. You can easily compare these on our site.

If you are buying baggage insurance separately, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you'll need to decide how much coverage you need. This will depend on the value of your belongings and how often you travel. Second, be sure to compare prices and coverage from different companies before making a decision. And finally, remember that baggage insurance is not a substitute for travel insurance. It's always a good idea to have both types of coverage to protect yourself from all sorts of travel mishaps.

Some handy travel tips for your baggage

  • Tag your baggage
    The best way to protect your luggage when travelling is by making sure that it has a tag with all of the information needed. This includes both names and contact details so you can be reached quickly in case anything happens.
  • Snap a picture of your luggage
    If you're traveling and have luggage, take a picture of your baggage so that officials can help find your lost property. With thousands of bags going through airports every day without photos or descriptions, it can make the task very difficult.
  • Ditch your old tags
    If you're a frequent traveler, then it's essential you remove old baggage tags from your luggage for future flights and journeys so they don't get put back onto an incorrect flight.
  • Don't hang around the airport
    Once you're off your flight, head to baggage claim as soon as possible. If bags are left on the belt and another plane needs loading/unloading then chances are they'll be taken off-site for safekeeping.
  • Take out travel insurance
    Making sure you have coverage for your luggage offers additional peace of mind if they should go missing. So make sure your next travel insurance plan has coverage for loss of luggage.
Get a quote

You'll typically find that baggage cover forms part of most all-inclusive plans. All providers have different levels of coverage and terms, so be sure to fully review the plan carefully when you compare quotes on our site.

Currently, we do not have plans that cover only luggage and baggage insurance. You can compare this coverage by looking at all-inclusive plans.

We do not offer stand-alone baggage insurance plans. You will need to compare all-inclusive coverage, and prices for these plans depend on a number of different factors.

An all-inclusive coverage bundle provides additional coverage on top of emergency medical expenses with benefits such as baggage loss/delay and trip cancellation/interruption.

Tommy Lloyd
Author: Tommy Lloyd, Managing Director

Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, having worked with some of the worlds largest insurers. Tommy’s primary focus has been developing the best possible online experience for travellers looking to compare travel insurance rates. Music and travel are two of Tommy's greatest interests, and even better when he can combine the two together!

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