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What to do if your luggage is delayed

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1. Report it to your carrier

Once you realize your luggage is missing, report it immediately to the carrier – your airline or tour operator, for example. Get a written Property Irregularity Report (PIR) as a confirmation of the delay. To qualify for benefits, the delay must be at least 12 hours.

2. Ask for compensation

Check with your carrier to see if you qualify for any compensation, such as for the cost of basic personal items while you wait for your bags to be returned. You should keep a copy of the exchange with your carrier that confirms or denies any coverage.

3. Keep your receipts

If you’re not compensated by the carrier, you may qualify for coverage should the delay be a minimum of 12 hours – and if it doesn’t happen on your return flight home. Keep the original receipts for any personal items you purchase – such as toothbrushes, prescription medication or a change of clothes. 

Before you go shopping for designer jeans or a fancy ballgown, consider that your plan has limits on what’s considered a reasonable expense. Read your policy carefully and contact us if you have any questions on what might be covered. (You wouldn’t believe some of the outrageous claims we’ve seen!) 

4. Get a second report

Once you get your luggage, get written confirmation from the carrier confirming the length of the delay. As mentioned above, that period counts as at least 12 hours after the scheduled arrival time. You won’t qualify for any reimbursements for under that amount of time. 

5. Prepare your claim

Read over your insurance policy to see what’s covered and to check if any terms, conditions or exclusions apply. With World Nomads, you can file your claim on the website and send in any supporting documentation afterwards. 

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions.  If you do not understand your coverage, of if you have questions about your coverage, just ask us.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: $5,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Explorer Plan: $10 million
  • Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.

  • Explorer Plan: $3,000
  • Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
  • Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
  • Emergency Professional Services
  • Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
  • Return to Your Trip Destination
  • Return of Remains
  • Travel Accident
  • Flight Accident
  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
  • Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
  • Travel Documents Theft or Damage
  • Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
  • Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
  • LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance
  • Adventure Travel Hotline
  • 24/7 Security
  • Travel Medical Assistance
  • Bag Trak
This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)

Contact the team