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Travel Insurance for Delayed Baggage

Learn how travel insurance could help if your luggage misses your flight, how to make a claim, and using your travel insurance.

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At a Glance: Delayed Baggage Travel Insurance

  • Delayed baggage cover may reimburse you for essential purchases if your luggage is delayed by more than 12 hours during your trip.
  • Essential items can include toiletries, basic clothing, and other necessities while you wait for your bags to arrive.
  • Report delayed luggage to your airline immediately and obtain a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) to support any claim.
  • Keep all receipts for essential purchases, as you'll need them when submitting a travel insurance claim.
  • Delayed baggage cover generally does not apply once you've returned to Australia or for expenses incurred within the first 12 hours of the delay.
  • Explorer Plan travellers may be able to hire replacement sporting equipment if their gear is delayed or lost by a carrier for more than 12 hours.

So, you've arrived at your destination and spent your first two hours on the ground watching a baggage carousel grow empty without ever coughing up your bags. This happens a lot. It's really annoying.  Happily, there's someone to blame. That's the airline.

In every airport, there's a lost luggage counter where you can report your missing items (also go here if your bags have been damaged).

For Aussie travellers, considering travel insurance for delayed baggage means you can handle the setback and still enjoy your trip.

What does travel insurance cover regarding delayed luggage?

If your luggage is delayed by more than 12 hours, our policies offer cover for essential purchases (toothbrushes, deodorant, clean undies, etc.). 

There are limits on the amount you can spend. So, before you go shopping for a new wardrobe, check your policy carefully on the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions which may apply before you buy. 

If you need to make a claim, you'll also need to fill in all of the documentation required by the carrier and submit this with your receipts. 

What is included for delayed baggage?

Delayed baggage travel insurance may reimburse you for essential purchases if your luggage is delayed. This can include:

  • Toiletries and basic clothing
  • Hire of replacement sporting equipment (Explorer Plan only)

What's not covered

Delayed luggage once you're back home. You've now got access to your full wardrobe, so you shouldn't need anything from your bags. When you're shopping for essential purchases, think Walmart and the chemist, not high street fashion and designer labels.

Expenses incurred within the first 12 hours of your baggage being delayed.

Loss, theft or damage to the extent for which you did not make every reasonable attempt to obtain compensation from the carrier, other service provider or other responsible party.

What to do if your luggage is delayed

1. Report the delay to your carrier immediately

Once you realise your baggage has been delayed, speak with a representative from your carrier (usually your airline) to report the delay. Ask them for a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) or another official document. The report should state the reason for the delay as well as the date and time that your luggage is estimated to arrive.

Ask the carrier for some financial assistance to help you buy some everyday items such as toothpaste, deodorant or new underwear while you wait for your bags. If they refuse your request, then ask them to put the reason for their denial in writing to you. You must include this letter or report with your other documentation when submitting your claim for essential items.

2. Obtain receipts for any purchases

If you need to buy a few essentials to make life more comfortable until your bags arrive, then you’ll need to keep copies of your receipts should you wish to claim for these expenses.

Cover for essential items is only offered to travellers whose luggage is delayed for at least 12 hours after their scheduled arrival.

Therefore, only receipts showing a date and time which is at least 12 hours after your scheduled arrival, and before the delivery time of your luggage, will be covered.

3. Obtain a final report

After you get your bags, ask your carrier for another report stating the reason for the delay, the length of the delay, as well as the date and time the luggage was returned to you.

Does my insurance cover my tech?

A few points to consider if you wish to claim for essential items

Before you rush out to your favourite designer’s shop to buy this season’s must-haves, please remember that only reasonably necessary items may be covered under our policies. Some examples could include toiletries, a toothbrush, or new underwear.

These are items to help you stay clean, fresh, and comfortable until your baggage is returned to you.

There is no cover for essential items if your luggage is delayed on your return journey to Australia or expenses incurred within the first 12 hours of your baggage being delayed.

Both our Standard and Explorer plans have different maximum limits of cover. Please read through your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to make sure you’re aware of the limits, benefits and exclusions that relate to your policy.

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for delayed baggage. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team

  • What supporting documents do you need?
    You’ll need a Property Irregularity Report (‘PIR’) from the carrier confirming the delay and any compensation they provided to you or offered to you, your receipts and a copy of your itinerary.
  • Is sports equipment covered if delayed?
    Our Explorer Plan includes coverage to hire replacement sporting equipment if your sporting equipment is delayed or lost by a carrier for more than 12 hours. Check your PDS for terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.

There may be specific terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that apply depending on what you'll be doing. Of course, always read the full terms, conditions limitations and exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement you choose so there’ll be no surprises if you need to use it. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalized?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Overseas

Take the pain out of medical costs.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transport

We'll get you to hospital lickety-split

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medevac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Overseas Medical Expenses
  • Emergency dental treatment
  • 24 hour assistance
  • Emergency medical transport & repatriation
  • Cancellation costs
  • Trip interruption costs
  • Compassionate emergency visit home
  • Resumption of trip
  • Theft or accidental damage to baggage and personal items
  • Baggage delay over 12 hours
  • Funeral expenses overseas or repatriation of remains
  • Personal liability
This is a general summary for Australian residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the PDS for full details.