Canadian residents can protect their baggage and gear with travel insurance
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We’ve been the ones sitting at the baggage carousel waiting for the bag that never came. Sometimes it’s just delayed, but other times it’s gone forever. Either way, it’s no fun. We hope you never have to deal with that situation, but if you do, travel insurance could come in handy.
A travel insurance plan that includes baggage coverage could help you with a variety of situations other than just lost bags. Some other things covered by your travel insurance may include:
If your bags are lost by a common carrier, travel insurance could reimburse you for the depreciated value to replace items such as clothing, cameras, computers, and more (maximum and per item limits apply.) Items that are lost are reimbursed at the depreciated value that is listed in your policy wording. Make sure you have a receipt that shows the price you paid for the item. In addition, it’s helpful to have a picture of what you are packing in your suitcase so you can prove you had that item with you.
Sometimes your checked bags accidentally take a different route to get to your destination. Even though they may eventually get to you, you could find yourself waiting for hours to be reunited with them. If your checked bags are delayed for at least 12 hours by an airline or ground carrier, you could be reimbursed for things such as toiletries or a change of clothes (up to maximum limits.)
You’ll need to report the issue to your airline if it was lost by them. For example, if your airline lost bags that you checked, you’ll need to get them to provide you with written evidence of the loss. Find out how they will compensate you and make sure you get it in writing. You’ll also need to keep any relevant tickets, luggage check information, receipts, and other documentation related to the issue. You’ll need these items if you plan to make a claim.
Since checked bags have a way of getting lost sometimes, it can be a good idea to keep your policy number handy, as well as the phone number for the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. We suggest putting the information in your phone or keeping a copy of the paperwork in your carry-on bag so that you have it easily accessible. You’ll need to contact us immediately to let us know if your bag gets lost. Our LiveTravel™ Emergency Assistance team can also start tracking down your bag immediately.
World Nomads travel insurance offers two options for Canadian residents - the Standard and Explorer plans. The Explorer plan costs more but has higher limits and sub-limits of coverage. For example, the Standard plan offers coverage that includes up to $1,000 CAD for baggage and personal effects that become lost or damaged by the common carrier or stolen, while the Explorer plan offers up to $3,000 CAD for baggage and personal effects that become lost or damaged by the common carrier. The Explorer plan also offers higher maximum limits for things such as baggage delay and loss of sporting equipment by a common carrier.
When you get a quote for travel insurance, you’ll be able to see the costs and compare the coverage of each plan side by side. We encourage you to review both plans so that you can determine the best travel insurance plan for your needs. If you aren’t sure if something is covered, contact our customer service team and they can help explain what each policy includes.
Pickpocketing is common in some destinations and is especially prevalent in areas where there’s large crowds. While there’s things you can do to try to avoid being a victim of pickpocketing, it’s unfortunately happened to some of our nomads. If it happens to you, your travel insurance could cover the cost to replace your stolen items (subject to depreciation.) Just make sure you make a police report with the local police as soon as it happens. You will need this documentation if you plan to make a claim.
If your passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, or travel visa is stolen, or accidentally damaged while you’re travelling, your travel insurance could reimburse you for the cost of replacement (up to maximum limits as shown in your policy wording.)
If you’re travelling outside of Canada, you’re going to need your passport to get back home, so you’ll want to reach out to the Government of Canada’s passport office as soon as possible. You can then start the process of getting an emergency passport. You’ll also need to contact the police and get a written police report about the theft of your passport or other travel documents. Make sure you also contact us to let us know about the loss theft.
It’s up to you to keep an eye on your bags and try to keep them safe. We know accidents happen, but if you intentionally leave your bags unsupervised, leave them in an unlocked car, or accidentally leave them behind, you wouldn’t be able to claim that on your travel insurance. A few other things that wouldn’t be covered include:
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, or if you have questions, just ask us.
Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying travel insurance for baggage. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
Get written evidence of the loss from your airline, including documentation showing how they will compensate you. You’ll also need to contact us to let us know about the loss. Make sure you keep any relevant tickets, luggage check information, and other documentation related to the issue. You’ll need these items if you plan to make a claim.
Travel insurance could help with the cost of replacing your stolen items (up to depreciated value.). If you’re a victim of a robbery, you’ll need to report it to the police as soon as possible and get a police report. You’ll need written documentation of the robbery if you intend to make a claim.
Besides baggage coverage, travel insurance can also cover a variety of other things such as emergency medical expenses, emergency evacuation and repatriation, trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay. There’s also over 250 activities that are covered for Canadian residents.
You can start a claim online by logging into your member account. If you need help, contact our team and we’ll be happy to assist. Make sure you have your policy number, receipts, and any other documentation such as police reports and written proof of loss from your airline.
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 teamI arrived in Delhi from Rome. Baggage claim help desk informed me that my bag had been delayed in transit. I was without my bag for almost a week before it was finally delivered to me. It was cold in Delhi (being winter, December) and my warm jacket was in my bag, requiring that I purchase a jacket and other items of warm clothing that I had not taken in my carry-on.
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Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.