Many people are traveling by air these days, and there is plenty of baggage for the airport crew to manage. Sometimes, those who are handling the baggage may make a mistake or two, and this can result in damage or permanent loss of baggage. It is important for travelers to get travel insurance coverage for their baggage before they travel.
Baggage coverage is one of the common features in travel insurance policies, and it provides compensation for the damage, loss, or theft of baggage. While the airline may offer reimbursement for lost luggage, it may not be complete compensation. For example, if the total value of a traveler’s luggage is around $2,000, the airline may only reimburse $750. To get a full compensation, travelers have to get baggage coverage that will provide compensation for the remaining amount. Baggage coverage from a travel insurance policy is considered secondary to the coverage offered by the airline.
Baggage coverage does not only provide compensation for damage and loss of luggage at the airport; it also covers loss, damage, or theft of baggage in hotels or other places during a trip. Travelers will be eligible to make a claim for compensation if they have done their best to protect their baggage and the baggage is lost or damaged because of specified circumstances, such as theft, fire, terrorist activities, strikes, and other incidents.
Many travel insurance policies do not provide full coverage for loss baggage, and they have specific compensation rates for every item or set of items in the baggage. Some policies also compensate for lost passports, as well as all the expenses incurred during the process of reapplying for the passports. Travelers who feel the maximum compensation is not enough to cover for their belongings can try to get better compensation at an extra cost. This is especially important for travelers who are planning to bring valuable belongings during their trips, such as: laptops, jewelry, electronic items, as well as expensive equipment for sports and other activities. There is a type of baggage coverage that provides compensation based on the current market value of each item in the loss baggage.
Baggage coverage may be limited to certain areas in the place of travel. Some policies only insure baggage within a certain city or several cities, but travelers can choose to extend the area of coverage by paying a higher premium. Baggage that does not accompany the traveler is not covered by a travel insurance policy), and a special policy is required to insure it.
Travelers should know they have to report loss of baggage to the police within 24 hours from the time they realize the baggage is lost. Then, a police report must be obtained before a claim for reimbursement can be made. If the baggage is lost at the airport, the airline staff should be notified immediately. Some airlines will provide funds to purchase clothes if the baggage is missing for more than 24 hours.
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