Delayed Baggage Travel Insurance
Delayed bags? Canadian travellers may be covered for essentials
- As featured in:
As featured in:
At a glance
- Travel insurance for delayed luggage: World Nomads offers single trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance plans for Canadian residents that include coverage for delayed bags
- Baggage delay benefits after 12 hours: If your checked-in bags or sporting equipment are delayed by more than 12 hours en route to your destination, your plan may reimburse you for essential items
- Essential item and equipment rental coverage: You may be reimbursed for a change of clothes, the cost of cleaning your clothes, toiletries, and the rental of sporting equipment (up to maximum limits shown in your policy documents)
- Lost and stolen luggage protection: Additional coverage may also be included for lost or stolen bags
- Why should you consider travel insurance for delayed bags?
- Expenses You May Be Reimbursed For if You Have a Baggage Delay
- Important to Know
- Maximum Limits for Delayed Baggage
- What to Do If Your Bags Are Delayed
- FAQs
Why should you consider travel insurance for delayed bags?
If you’ve ever been the last one standing at the baggage carousel at the airport, you know the sinking feeling that comes when you realize that your bag didn’t make it to your destination. Even though your bag may eventually get to you, you could find yourself waiting for a long time. Data reported by TravelPulse Canada showed that when a bag goes missing, less than 20% of Canadians receive it the same day. Almost 15% have to wait more than a week to be reunited with their bags, and 2.3% wait months.
If your checked bags are delayed for at least 12 hours by an airline or ground carrier, you may be reimbursed for things such as toiletries or a change of clothes. If you checked sporting equipment such as golf clubs or skis and they’re delayed, you may also be covered for rentals of necessary equipment (up to maximum limits shown in your policy documents) so that you can still enjoy your trip.
Sometimes bags are gone forever, though – and your travel insurance plan may also include additional coverage for lost or stolen bags that may reimburse you for the depreciated value to replace items such as clothing, cameras, computers and more (terms and conditions apply along with maximum and per-item limits).
Expenses You May Be Reimbursed For if You Have a Baggage Delay
- Toiletries
- Underwear
- Socks
- A change of clothes
- Pajamas
- Expenses to clean your clothing
- Rental of sporting equipment
Important to Know
- Only necessary items are covered, not things like jewelry and perfume
- Documentation will be required from your common carrier showing that your bags were delayed
- Delays of less than 12 hours aren’t covered
- Coverage is subject to per-item and total maximum benefit amounts as shown in your policy documents
Maximum Limits for Delayed Baggage
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Baggage Delay: Up to $250 CAD Sporting Equipment Delay: Up to $400 CAD total, and up to $200 CAD per item Get a quote |
Baggage Delay: Up to $500 CAD Sporting Equipment Delay: Up to $1,000 CAD total, and up to $500 CAD per item Get a quote |
Baggage Delay: Up to $1,000 CAD Sporting Equipment Delay: Up to $1,500 CAD total, and up to $750 CAD per item Get a quote |
Baggage Delay: Up to $500 CAD Sporting Equipment Delay: Up to $1,000 CAD total, and up to $500 CAD per item Get a quote |
What to Do If Your Bags Are Delayed
- Report it to your airline or other common carrier.
- Complete all documentation required by the carrier.
- If your checked bags are delayed by your common carrier for at least 12 hours, you may be reimbursed for essential items such as toiletries and a change of clothes. Review your plan documents to see what your per-item and maximum limits are.
- Don’t go on a shopping spree and get a new wardrobe if your bags are delayed. Consider what can actually be considered ‘essential’ items versus ‘wants’. Call the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team if you want to be sure. We highly suggest you do this so there won’t be surprises.
- Save receipts for all items you purchase.
- You’ll then need to file a claim online and submit relevant documentation such as a written statement from your airline showing that your bags were delayed and receipts for the necessary items you purchased.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for non-insurance services. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
-
Do World Nomads plans include travel insurance for delayed bags?
Yes, all of the World Nomads plans for Canadian residents include travel insurance for delayed bags. When you get a quote, you can compare the coverage and limits in our plans side-by-side to see per-item and maximum limits. You can then see which travel insurance plan is the best for your needs.
-
Can I get new clothes to wear until my bags are found?
We totally understand if you want to change out of your travel clothes, and if your baggage is delayed for at least 12 hours, you may be reimbursed for toiletries and a change of clothes until you and your bags are reunited. Per-day and maximum benefit limits do apply though, so this doesn’t mean you should go on a shopping spree and buy expensive designer outfits. You’ll want to reference your policy documents to see your limits, and if you have any questions, you can contact our team.
-
Does travel insurance include coverage for stolen bags?
If your bags are stolen while you’re travelling, and you didn’t leave them unattended, you may be able to be reimbursed for the depreciated value of certain items that you can prove you owned. Make sure you report the theft to local authorities as soon as it happens though – you’ll need that documentation. Also, per-item and maximum limits apply, so you’ll want to reference your policy documents to see how much you may be able to claim. If you have any questions about what you may be able to claim, contact our team.
-
What do I do if the airline loses my bags?
If your airline loses your 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. After you’ve exhausted reimbursement benefits from your airline, travel insurance may cover the depreciated value of lost items (up to the maximum and per-item limits shown in your policy documents.) 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.
-
If my bags are delayed, what may I be reimbursed for?
If your checked-in bags are delayed at least 12 hours en route to your destination, your plan can reimburse you for essential items so you're not left wearing the same thing until your bags are found and returned.
Items you can claim reimbursement for if your bags are delayed include things like:
- Underwear
- Socks
- A change of clothes
- Toiletries
If you’re not sure what you can claim, contact our team.
-
Can I be reimbursed for a new coat if my bag is delayed and I’m in a cold destination?
If your checked-in bags are delayed for at least 12 hours en route to your destination, your plan may reimburse you for the essential items so you're not left wearing the same thing until your bags are found and returned. You may also be covered for other reasonable and necessary essential items. For example, if you’ve arrived at the ski slopes in Europe without a warm jacket (or other clothing to suit the weather of your destination), you may be reimbursed for that.
Get in touch if you’re unsure what you can claim and be sure to look at your plan wording, including maximum limits, before making any purchase to replace your delayed items.
-
If I checked my golf clubs and they’re delayed, does travel insurance cover rental clubs?
If you checked your golf clubs, and they are delayed by your airline for at least 12 hours on the way to your destination, you could also be reimbursed (up to the maximum and per-item limits shown in your policy documents) if you need to rent clubs while on your trip.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- AMT Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- AMT Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- 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
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.