Photo © Extreme-Photographer/IStock

Travel Insurance for Stolen or Damaged Baggage

If your gear has been stolen or damaged, here's how we can help.

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

We’ve all been there: landing in your dream destination, only to find out your bag’s gone on its own holiday. Travel mishaps like lost or stolen baggage can turn an epic adventure into a logistical nightmare. World Nomads travel insurance not only protects your gear; it protects your plans— because a lost bag shouldn’t stand in the way of your next great story.

How travel insurance can help if your bags are stolen or damaged

World Nomads keeps it simple for our UK travellers with two insurance plans: Standard and Explorer. Both offer coverage for stolen, delayed, and damaged luggage, but the Explorer Plan has higher limits and offers additional coverage for the accidental loss or theft of cash (provided you’ve stowed it safely).

Your policy will have very specific limits on the total value of the luggage covered and on individual items. If some items you bring exceed those limits, you might want to specify high-value items when you purchase your policy. It'll cost you more, but it may be worth it if you have to make a claim.

Our policies can cover you if your gear is:

  • Stolen or accidentally damaged
  • Stolen, lost, or accidentally damaged by a common carrier (a commercial airline, for example
  • Taken from you during an assault
  • Stolen from your private, locked accommodation and where there's visible evidence of damage and forced entry.

There are, of course, conditions on how cover applies. For example, we won't cover your electronics or jewellery if they are part of checked-in luggage. Read through the policy wording so there are no surprises. 

Additional Benefits for UK Travelers

Annual Multi-Trip Policy

Our Annual Multi-Trip (AMT) policy offers unmatched flexibility for UK travellers with a serious case of wanderlust. Whether hopping to France for a weekend or jetting off to Southeast Asia for a few weeks, AMT covers your baggage and personal belongings on each trip—without the hassle of buying a new policy every time you travel. 

Medical Coverage and Emergency Assistance

When you’re exploring far from home, having emergency medical coverage can be a lifesaver—literally. For digital nomads and frequent travellers, unexpected health issues can turn your plans upside down. That’s why World Nomads provides 24/7 emergency medical assistance so UK travellers can get immediate help when needed.

Smart Delay

Nobody likes a delayed flight—especially when you’re stuck between connections at a bustling airport. With World Nomads’ Smart Delay feature, UK travellers get extra support if their flights or connections are held up beyond a specific time. Think of it as a travel buffer: Smart Delay helps cover essentials like food and refreshments, so you’re not left out of pocket while waiting for things to get back on track.

What should I do if my baggage is stolen during transit?

No one wants to lose their belongings; it’s frustrating and heartbreaking. If someone nicks your gear, it’s imperative you get on the front foot…fast. Here are some steps you should take right away: 

  1. Report it wherever it was stolen (public transport, accommodation, public venue etc.). Be sure to ask for written evidence.
  2. Report it to the police.
  3. Gather your receipts and supporting documents.
  4. Contact us.

For more comprehensive information, check out our article What to do if your luggage is stolen

Keep your baggage safe.

While stealthy thieves and misplaced bags are a reality of travel, there are a few simple tips and tricks you can keep in mind while travelling to help reduce the risk of losing your most valued possessions.

From always packing and carrying your bags to safeguarding your bags with zip ties, follow these essential tips from travellers on keeping your belongings safe while you travel.

Ready to pack your bags? You can get a quote for both single and annual multi-trip plans and decide which suits your needs best. 

What’s Not Covered

Our policy for UK residents doesn’t cover several items, and if you don’t look after your belongings properly, you may not be covered either.

  • We can't cover your belongings if you don’t keep them safe and secure or accidentally leave them behind (so don’t leave your camera in the taxi in Australia—we won’t cover it).
  • Report any loss to the police or relevant authority within 24 hours—get a written report!
  • If another insurance policy covers your item or it’s recoverable from another source, we cannot help.
  • Baggage delays on your way back to the UK aren’t covered.
  • We don’t cover items like bicycles, items made from glass or china, dentures or hearing aids.
  • We love adventure, but gear used during sports or activities isn’t covered.

This is not a complete list of what's covered and not covered. There are item limits and conditions that apply, so for more information, check out our article on baggage cover and personal effects and read your policy carefully before you buy. 

Beware of the Singing Girl.

My wife and I were travelling through South America. We had just arrived in the main bus station in Arequipa, Peru at approximately 7pm, after travelling overnight from the north of Chile. We sat down on the public seating at the bus station whilst waiting for a friend to book an onward ticket. I was sat on the end of the isle of seats with my day bag by the side of my feet. A child of about the age of 9 years came up to us from the opposite direction and spoke to us in Spanish. We both looked at her whilst trying to understand what she said. After decyphering that she wanted to sing us a song and subsequently declining her offer, she wandered off. At this point I looked down at my bags to discover that my day bag had gone. We obviously immediately looked around, could not see the bag anywhere. We asked the other people sat around if they had seen anything, but no one had. The little girl was nowhere to be seen. As we had been on the go for over 24 hours and were extremely tired and now extremely upset, we left and checked into a hostel. The next morning we lodged a report with the tourist police who informed us that there had been a police counter at the station. At the time though it had not even occurred to me that we could make a report at the station itself. After 3 months of travelling through South America with not a single problem and with only 5 days left until flying home this has not been the most pleasant way to finish our holiday!
Claim paid: £476.02.
British Nomad in Peru.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: £5,000
  • Standard Plan: £3,000
Trip Protection
  • Come to a sticky end?
  • Called to jury duty?
  • Been made redundant?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Abroad Medical Expenses

Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.

  • Explorer Plan: £10 million
  • Standard Plan: £5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need drugs?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transport

Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • You or a family member dead?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: £3,000
  • Standard Plan: £1,500
Protect your gear
  • Luggage lost?
  • Passport pilfered?
  • Tech trashed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Baggage & Personal Belongings
  • Cancellation
  • Trip Curtailment
  • Personal Accident
  • Loss of Passport or travel documents
  • Personal Liability
  • Legal Expenses (Personal Liability)
This is a general summary for United Kingdom residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.
Pre-existing medical conditions

You are not eligible to buy a policy if you travel against medical advice, travel with the intention of receiving medical treatment, or have a terminal illness. World Nomads policies cannot cover claims due to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMC), regardless of whether the condition is serious or not. You can still purchase a World Nomads policy, but the PEMC exclusion cannot be removed, and you will be responsible for any related costs.

For information on travel insurance providers that offer cover on PEMC, visit Money Helper or call 0800 138 7777.

24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance

If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.

Are you in need of Emergency Medical Assistance right now?

For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024
+44 (0) 144 444 2021 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

For policies purchased before 27 June 2024:
Phone: +44 (0) 203 093 1750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

Contact the team

FAQ

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

  • Can I claim my baggage while I'm travelling?

    UK residents claim online while travelling or when returning home. We encourage you to submit your claim at your earliest convenience or within 60 days from the date of loss. Plus, submitting your claim as soon as possible means less of a chance you’ll misplace your receipts or other required documentation.

  • Do my items get depreciated?
    Travel insurance is about replacing what was lost, not helping you update your cameras or wardrobe. Depreciation happens to match the claim to the item's current price, not the original retail price.
  • Am I covered if I lose my passport?
    Our travel insurance plans may be able to help you with getting an emergency passport. Sometimes, your travel insurance may not cover you, like if you leave your passport behind. Read through your plan wording carefully to become familiar with how your policy can and cannot help in these situations, and read our help centre article about lost and stolen passports.
  • I have a high-value camera. Does your travel insurance cover it?
    While both Standard and Explorer plans can offer cover for your high value items, an additional premium is required. High value items are subject to per item and maximum benefit limits. Always read your plan wording carefully to ensure you have adequate cover for your needs. Still not sure? Contact us, and we will help you determine what’s best for your circumstances.