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Can Travel Insurance Help if the Airline Loses My Bags?

For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below. 

If your airline has permanently lost your luggage, you can make a claim for your lost items. 

  • Our travel insurance* plans include coverage for checked bagged, lost by a common carrier transportation provider (like an airline). 
  • All plans include our non-insurance service Blue Ribbon Bags, which finds and expedites the return of lost or delayed airline luggage. Simply report your lost bags after alerting the airline and Blue Ribbon Bags will take it from there to try to track them down.  Just make sure you have the file reference or record locator number and Property Irregularity Report from the airline on hand when you call Blue Ribbon Bags. 
  • If your bags cannot be located, you must have a copy of the official report from the airline confirming the loss to make a claim.
  • Our insurance plans have different levels of coverage; benefit limits depend on your plan. 

What’s covered if the airline loses my bags?

If your checked-in luggage is permanently lost by the airline, you can make a claim for lost items such as: 

  • Baggage or personal belongings you own
  • Passports, driver’s licenses, birth certificates and travel visas
  • Sporting equipment

What’s not covered?

Travel insurance is not designed to cover everything. Some items which aren’t covered include: 

  • Fragile or brittle items (e.g. glass or china)
  • Perishable items
  • Antiques and collectors’ items
  • Cash and credit cards
  • Sunglasses, contact lenses, eyeglasses
  • Retainers, orthodontic devices or hearing aids
  • Anything that you use for business and professional purposes

Be aware that there is a per-item limit, meaning there is a maximum amount you can claim for each item in your luggage.  

How to make a claim 

  • You must report the loss within 20 days. You can make a claim online while on your trip. 
  • We will need supporting documents confirming the permanent loss of your bags within 90 days. A carrier report is best. 
  • Be prepared to show proof of ownership, including electronic items.
  • Gather evidence of the value of the lost goods. A receipt of a replacement or documentation of the value sourced online should work.

*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.

Last updated: Oct 22, 2024 12:14 AM

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