Lost luggage: insurance, and how to find your luggage. Can I insure luggage at the airport? Luggage insurance
Gifts for relatives, expensive ski equipment, two suitcases of happiness after… Unfortunately, what is so dear to the heart and wallet of a traveler is not always so dear to airlines. It is in this case that most insurance companies offer additional risk coverage in standard policies for traveling abroad.
Why insure luggage
The airline is responsible for the luggage checked in during the flight.
What will be reimbursed in any case
In case of damage or loss of luggage, the carrier is legally obliged to reimburse the traveler a certain amount for each kilogram of weight. Most Russian airlines reimburse 20 USD (or 600 rubles) per 1 kg of weight, i.e. for a suitcase weighing 23 kg, the value of which was not announced before the start of the flight, compensation will be $ 460.
What will the insurance company reimburse?
Luggage insurance does not prevent such a nuisance, but it protects the traveler's wallet from significant losses. For example, for the loss of a suitcase weighing 20 kg, the contents of which are estimated at $ 1,000, the airline will pay only $ 400. You can order a policy from an insurance company that would cover the cost of the lost luggage in full. In addition, insurance companies under "luggage" mean not only a suitcase, but also a traveler's hand luggage.
What is the sum insured
Typically, insurers offer to insure luggage for $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500, $2,000, or $2,500. This is the sum insured - the amount of compensation that the insurance company undertakes to pay in the event of an insured event. The amount for which the baggage is insured is indicated in the contract and in the conditions for the provision of services by a particular company.
What does luggage insurance cover and in what cases
An insured event is considered to be total loss, partial damage or loss of luggage due to:
- natural Disasters
- fire, explosion, lightning strike
- theft or robbery
- traffic accident or accident
- intentional damage to luggage by third parties
As with any other insurance, baggage insurance has a number of conditions and exclusions.
Compensation is not paid if the insured event occurred due to: | Not subject to insurance: |
Alcoholic or drug intoxication of a tourist | Cash and bank cards |
Suicide or attempted suicide by a hiker | Precious metals in bullion and precious metal products |
Effects of a nuclear explosion or radiation | Fur |
Deliberate damage to or loss of baggage by the traveler or third parties concerned | Antiques and works of art, objects of religious worship |
Commitment by a tourist of an unlawful act | Manuscripts, drawings and business papers |
Hostilities, riots, strikes, riots, terrorism | Dentures, contact lenses |
Wear, rust, mold luggage | Animals and plants |
Damage to luggage by insects or rodents | Auto, motorcycle, air, bicycle transport and spare parts for it |
Sending luggage by mail | |
Failure by the owner to take measures to save property |
* On the example of the company "Ingosstrakh"
Where and how to apply
The "Luggage Insurance" option is available with regular medical insurance when traveling abroad. You can apply for insurance online through the website of the insurance company, by phone or at the office.
How much does it cost to insure luggage
Some companies (AIG, InTouch, AlfaStrakhovanie) include $1,000-$2,500 baggage insurance by default with their travel insurance products. Other companies (Ingosstrakh, Soglasie, Allianz) offer to independently choose the sum insured (from $250 to $2000), on which the cost of the policy will depend.
* Luggage insurance prices as an additional option for standard medical insurance (sum insured $50,000). Designed for one traveler under the age of 65 to travel to any foreign country.
What to do in the event of an insured event and how to receive compensation
If the suitcase did not appear on the baggage belt or returned to the owner in a deplorable state, the first thing to do is to contact the representatives of the airline or the office of missing things at the airport. Perhaps the suitcase went on an independent journey along a different route and will return soon.
The airline is obliged to confirm in writing the fact of loss or damage to baggage, as well as to pay compensation on its part. The insurance company will later deduct this amount from its premium.
To receive compensation, you must request from the transport organization and provide the insurance company with the following documents within 30 days after returning from the trip:
- Reporting damage or loss of baggage
- Baggage ticket or tag indicating the weight of the baggage
- Document confirming the fact of the loss of luggage
- Document confirming receipt of compensation from the transport organization
Photo: thinkstockphotos.com, flickr.com
When flying by plane, the carrier is fully responsible for the passenger's luggage. In case of loss of things, the airline must pay compensation, but its maximum amount is quite small.
You can add baggage insurance against loss to your compulsory travel insurance policy. It is a payment to the passenger of a certain amount of money (from 100 to 2000 dollars) for things lost during the move or covering the cost of searching for luggage.
It is worth buying baggage insurance for those passengers who carry valuable items, since in this case compensation for their loss can cover the costs.
What to do if your baggage is lost?
First of all, you need to contact the service that deals with lost luggage. This must be done no later than seven days after arrival or arrival. There you need to provide a passport, ticket, luggage receipts and tags. In most cases, baggage is lost due to a peeled-off tag, so you can make an additional one yourself with your full name and contact details. At the counter, you need to fill out an application for the search for luggage. Here it is necessary to describe the lost things as accurately as possible (color, model, signs, you can describe the items that were inside the bag). After that, the carrier will start searching. It will send requests to the airport of departure and other airports where the luggage could presumably have flown. The carrier will have 21 days to find the baggage and deliver it to the passenger's address.
If the luggage was lost on the train, then you can go to the stationmaster at the arrival station. There you need to fill out an application with a detailed description of the lost things. It is also necessary to indicate the train number, carriage number and location. After receiving the baggage, the passenger must write a receipt of receipt, indicating the permanent place of residence and passport data.
How to insure luggage?
A passenger who decides to insure their baggage has three options. The first is to buy such insurance as an additional option to the main travel policy. The second is to buy baggage insurance along with the ticket. And the third option, the least popular, is to buy a separate luggage insurance.
Insurance can be of two types. Some companies insure luggage directly at the moment of going to the place of rest, that is, when the passenger's things become the responsibility of the carrier. Others do this for the entire period of the trip, including the entire rest period. A tourist can apply for a policy through the website of an insurance company or a special online service. To do this, he needs to specify the route of the trip, dates of departures, select the amount of insurance and pay for the purchase. In order to insure valuable baggage, the passenger must provide the insurance company with a complete inventory of the things he is going to carry, indicating their value. In case of luggage theft at the place of rest, the passenger must provide documents that confirm that this did not happen through the fault of the owner.
The cost of luggage insurance will depend on the insurance risk coverage. And if luggage insurance is included in a regular travel policy, then risk coverage will be carried out from the total amount. The standard cost of this service ranges from 100-700 rubles, but the passenger has the right to increase this amount and, in case of an insured event, receive more compensation.
Almost all insurance companies establish an unconditional deductible. This is an amount determined by the company, which is not compensated to the tourist. Usually it is 50 dollars. This means that if the damage to the baggage was $50 or less, then there will be no compensation.
How to get compensation?
Immediately after the loss of baggage, the passenger must contact the service center of their insurance company. He also needs to write a statement about the loss of luggage at the counter at the airport.
The insurance company will consider the baggage as lost only after 14 days. Therefore, the passenger can receive compensation not earlier than this period. After that, the tourist must write an application to the insurance company and attach to it an act of loss or damage to luggage, luggage receipts and documents on receipt of compensation from the airline (if any). The passenger can receive the money within 15 days.
Often, going on a trip, tourists are limited to purchasing a medical policy, without which it is impossible to enter many countries. Lost baggage insurance is an optional but very useful option that will help you get compensation if something happens to your suitcases.
Air baggage insurance
From the moment you checked in your luggage, the airline is responsible for its safety. If the suitcase was lost, then the air carrier is obliged to pay compensation, which will be from 15 to 25 dollars per 1 kg of baggage weight. This will allow you to buy inexpensive clothes and hygiene items on the spot. An unpleasant aftertaste will remain, but you can continue your journey.
What to look for when buying insurance:
- Sum. Most often, companies offer to insure the traveler's property for 1000 - 5000 euros.
- Timing. If on the way back your luggage is first delayed and then lost, it is better that your insurance lasts a day longer than the trip.
- Franchise size- this is the minimum amount of damage that is not compensated (usually 50 - 100 dollars).
- Validity. You can insure personal items only for the duration of the flight or for the entire holiday period.
Do not forget that each airline has its own rules, for example, Aeroflot does not compensate for minor damage to the suitcase.
Insured event with the passenger's luggage
The company will reimburse your losses in case the luggage is lost, partially damaged or stolen. An insured event with the passenger's luggage occurs if the damage is received in an accident, natural disasters, armed conflicts or terrorist attacks. Insurance will not be paid if the items are lost due to the traveler's negligence or he was intoxicated. Damage caused by rodents is also not compensated.
How to get compensation
Keep your baggage receipts, boarding passes and tickets while you travel, they will be required to receive the payout. Things are considered lost if they are not given to the passenger within two weeks, but you need to report the loss on the first day.
How to get compensation if your things are lost:
- Contact your local Lost and Found service and file a missing person's report.
- Call the service center of the insurance company.
- After returning home, you have a month to write an application and submit the necessary documents. Compensation is usually paid within 15 days.
We hope that your journey will go smoothly and your luggage will remain intact, but we do not recommend skimping on safety. The insurance policy can be purchased online on our website. Here you will find the best deals that will help you protect yourself from unpleasant surprises.
Despite modern methods of baggage transportation, its loss is still quite relevant. The human factor and the constant flow of passengers are doing their job. That is why insurance companies offer additional risk coverage to standard travel policies.
If you have a good habit of considering various possible situations, then you probably have insured your luggage before the trip or are going to do it.
Why insure luggage?
The air carrier is solely responsible for your luggage while traveling. The obvious fact is that the safety of luggage is at risk, and this is especially important if valuables are being transported in it. According to statistics, about 2% of luggage goes missing every year. The numbers are not frightening, but they do not console people who have lost their belongings. The risks of losing luggage increase if you are flying with a transfer.
Before going on a trip, it is better to transfer especially valuable things from your suitcase to hand luggage. But an indispensable guarantee of the safety of your luggage is insurance. Thanks to her, in case of loss, you will receive compensation for things.
Compensation for luggage insurance is issued not only in case of total loss, but also if things were damaged as a result of natural disasters, were stolen or partially lost.
But it is worth remembering that insurance does not cover the risk of loss for all things.
What items cannot be insured?
What items cannot be insured?
- precious stones and metals, jewelry;
- cash;
- antiques;
- documents, shares, other securities;
- works of art;
- vehicles and parts for them;
- religious items;
- animals;
- plants;
- medical therapeutic preparations (lenses, prostheses).
In the contract, as a rule, the insurance company indicates that these items are not covered by insurance. If you would like to insure your jewelry, works of art and antiques, then you can do this separately. But it will not be possible to insure the rest of the items from the specified list at all.
If suddenly you did not find your suitcase on the baggage belt or found it in a deplorable state, you should immediately contact the airport staff and draw up a report on the incident. This must be done first, as upon returning from a trip, it will be useless to do this.
If the carrier refused to draw up an act of damage or loss of baggage, it is necessary to take a written refusal from him.
After the incident is recorded at the airport, you must provide information about the incident to the service department of your insurance company, with which the contract was concluded.
- Don't forget to name:
- own name;
- insurance policy number;
- your location and location.
- statement about damage or loss of baggage;
- a document that can confirm the fact of the loss of baggage;
- a tag indicating the weight of the baggage or a baggage ticket;
- a document that can confirm receipt of compensation from the airline.
Upon arrival home, immediately contact the insurance company with an accident report. If you have long returned from vacation, and the validity of the insurance contract has expired, the luggage found will be delivered to you in any case, and also free of charge.
Do not forget that the rules of baggage insurance say that information about the incident must be recorded no later than within 24 hours after the incident.
How to get compensation from the insurance company?
- After arriving home, within 30 days, you must contact the representatives of your insurance company and provide them with your documents that can confirm damage or loss of luggage, namely:
The insurance company will need time to make a decision, to which will be added the time that the airline needs to search for lost baggage and determine the reasons for what happened. Until the information is collected by the carrier, the insurance company will not consider the set of documents complete. The thing is that luggage can be found and the amount of damage will decrease accordingly.
It is worth remembering that if the air carrier paid you compensation for lost baggage, the insurance company will deduct this amount from its insurance payment.
During the insurance process, a detailed inspection and description of things will not be made. You will have to indicate the approximate value of the luggage. In this case, the cost should be as close to the real one as possible. In this case, the insurance pays a certain part of this amount.
Compensation is paid taking into account 15% overhead costs. If the cost of damage is no more than 15%, you will not be able to receive compensation. In case of loss of baggage, compensation is paid at 100%, if damage occurs, minus the value of the undamaged property.
What is the sum insured?
The sum insured is the amount that the insurance company is obliged to pay in case of loss of things.This amount can range from 1,000 to 5,000 euros. If the baggage costs more, then the amount in any case cannot exceed the maximum sum insured. Many insurance companies use unconditional deductibles. This is money that is not compensated. Basically it's about 50 dollars. For damage to things that was valued at less than $50, no compensation will be paid. And if the damage is greater, then the amount of the deductible is removed from the compensation.
Luggage insurance prices
Luggage insurance is an inexpensive service. It all depends on the value at which things were valued and on the insurance company. The amount approximately varies from 400 - 1000 rubles. For example, a company can receive a refund in the amount of up to $ 5,000, but insurance will cost up to 2,000 rubles. Therefore, indicate the real value of your luggage so as not to overpay for the policy.
Luggage insurance can seem like a waste of money. But still, in this case, confidence and calmness have a much greater value. You can take out luggage insurance together. This can be done on our website in the mode
According to a survey conducted by the Trispta agency, 47% of Russians have experienced the loss of luggage during air travel at least once in their lives. The Air Carrier (airline) is responsible for the passenger's baggage during air travel.
Additionally, you can enable the option " baggage insurance» as part of a compulsory insurance policy for those traveling abroad.
Air carrier liability for baggage and carry-on baggage
For baggage that the passenger checked into the baggage compartment, the carrier is responsible even if the luggage was damaged not through his fault (but through the fault of, for example, airport loaders).
The carrier is responsible for hand luggage only if damage has occurred through his fault.
The carrier is not liable for baggage if he can prove that the loss or damage to the baggage occurred due to circumstances beyond his control. And also if the loss or damage to baggage occurred as a result of the actions of the passenger himself.
How long is the airline responsible for luggage?
By law, the airline is responsible for the baggage accepted for transportation. from the moment of registration until the moment of issuance. The baggage tag (receipt) serves as confirmation that the airline has accepted the luggage, part of which is attached to bags and suitcases, and part is issued to the passenger. At the same time, the airline is also responsible for the safety of hand luggage, that is, those things that the passenger takes into the cabin.
For damage to which items the airline is not responsible
The airline is not responsible for:
1. Damage to luggage caused by items that were in the luggage itself;
2. Items that are not desirable to check in the luggage compartment:
- fragile things;
- perishable products;
- passports, cash, securities and business papers, various documentation;
- jewelry,
- precious metals,
- computers and other electronic devices,
- mobile phones,
- cameras, camcorders,
- glasses and other optical devices;
- paintings, manuscripts, manuscripts;
- medicines;
- keys.
All of the above items must be under the personal supervision of the passenger in hand luggage.
Insured carriage
If there are valuables in the luggage, it is permissible arrange transportation with a declared value. This can be done during check-in for the flight, subject to filling out the declaration and paying an additional fee.
Luggage insurance in an insurance company
An air passenger carrying valuables, as well as expensive sports equipment (skis, snowboards, surfboards), is recommended to take out luggage insurance with an insurance company. Then, in case of loss, damage, or delay of luggage, the passenger will receive insurance from the insurance company minus the amount of compensation paid by the airline (if such a payment took place), or in addition to this compensation (this condition depends on the rules of the insurance company).
The rules of some insurance companies include the condition that payment for lost luggage is made only after receiving compensation from the airline.
Depending on the insurance company, either the things of the Insured, handed over under the responsibility of the Carrier, only for the period of travel (air flight, train trip), or all things of the tourist for the entire period of travel can be considered as luggage.
In the first case The liability of the insurance company is almost the same as the liability of the carrier, it only supplements it financially. In the second case The liability of the insurance company is more extended and extends to those cases when the traveler's luggage was stored in a locked hotel room, hotel luggage rooms, in guarded wardrobes or in a locked car trunk in a guarded parking lot.
When buying insurance, most often the passenger himself can choose the approximate cost of his luggage. It fluctuates from 500 to 2000 dollars/euro. The amount specified in the insurance contract will be maximum limit liability of the Insurer. The passenger will be returned real value his things within this amount. You can justify the actual value of luggage for the Insurance Company using checks for the purchase of these items, or by indicating the specific number and brand of lost items and their period of operation (to calculate the degree of wear).
When luggage is damaged compensation will be paid only for damaged items, if they cannot be restored, or the costs of their repair will be reimbursed.
When baggage is delayed The insured will be refunded the cost of the essentials and clothing purchased by him. The actual need for these things in a situation of baggage delay will need to be substantiated for the insurance company. Unlike air carriers, for which baggage delay is considered to be at least 24 hours, for insurance companies this period can be less (from 4 to 24 hours).
With details of baggage insurance conditions Insurance companies can be found at the link:
luggage insurance .
What to do in the event of an insured event
In a situation of loss, damage, delay of luggage, the algorithm of actions for a passenger who has insurance from an insurance company will be approximately the same as for a passenger who wants to receive compensation from the airline. That is, he should go to the baggage claim desk(Lost & Found) and present your passport, airline tickets, tear-off luggage tag. After the airport staff draw up an act about loss, damage, delay, luggage, to write an application the airline and the insurance company.
If within 24 hours the insured person does not report to the airline that his luggage was lost, damaged, delayed, the insurance company has the right to refuse payment.
When applying to the insurance company, in addition to your passport, air tickets, luggage tag, act of loss, damage, delay of luggage, also attach an insurance policy and documents confirming receipt of compensation from the airline to the application.
If the luggage is damaged List what is damaged and how much. For example, if some electronics was damaged, name its brand and approximate price.
If the baggage was delayed on the way to the country of temporary residence, write down what essential items you had to buy there, and provide receipts for them.
Not every insurance company insures baggage against delays at the airport. Luggage delay by airport customs is not considered an insured event.
Features of baggage insurance in various insurance companies
The loss and delay of checked baggage, carry-on baggage and personal belongings are indemnified as a result of: natural disasters; theft; fire; accident; damage by third parties; actions of transport services; theft from the car during the daytime. Compensation for the flight is not more than the sum insured of the air carrier. Expenses for essentials for a delay of at least 6 hours.
Compensation is given for loss, damage and delay of checked-in and carry-on luggage during the trip, theft from a locked car with traces of burglary. You can insure audio and video equipment. The loss of valuables is compensated if they were carried in hand luggage and there are checks. You can insure the loss of your passport and travel tickets.
The loss of checked baggage and hand luggage is compensated; expenses for search, storage, putting in order and forwarding in the amount of not more than 1000 rub. per 1 kg baggage weight. On delay - 150 rubles per 1 kg weight. Damage to the integrity of luggage and loss of individual items from it are not insured.
Loss, damage, delay of checked-in items, hand luggage, personal items as a result of theft, accident, natural disasters, fire. Expenses for search, storage, putting in order and forwarding. Luggage delivery delayed by more than 6 hours. Theft from the car during the day when stopped for no more than 3 hours. Loss of audio and video equipment, portable computers, if they were indicated in the customs declaration. Payments in addition to the Carrier's compensation after it is received. 25 c.u./20 kg luggage in economy class 50 c.u./30 kg baggage in business class If baggage is delayed no more than 200 USD/person, 400 USD/family
Loss of luggage and hand luggage as a result of a natural disaster, theft, fire, accident, damage by third parties, errors of transport services. Repair of damaged baggage. Search, rescue, storage, forwarding. Luggage delayed for more than 6 hours. The payment is not more than that which the Carrier must compensate. 25 c.u. / no more than 20 kg luggage - economy class 50 c.u. / no more than 30 kg luggage - business class
Loss of 1 storage location at the Carrier. Repair costs. Luggage delayed for more than 24 hours. Limit 25 c.u./kg baggage weight In case of damage to more than 25% of the surface of a piece of luggage - compensation of 25% of the sum insured, in case of damage to the handle - 5%; wheels - 10%; several parts - 15% of the sum insured