Baggage insurance. Baggage insurance against loss during a flight - all conditions, nuances, cost Baggage insurance at the airport

Updated 02/02/2020 Views 3715 Comments 11

Luggage insurance is not as obviously necessary a thing as, for example, regular travel insurance, but it can be useful, because the loss of luggage is quite an unpleasant thing and at least some kind of compensation can brighten up this situation. Usually, luggage is insured if you fly by plane, but you can also insure it using another type of transport, it’s just less common.

Why do you need luggage insurance against loss?

When traveling by air, the carrier airline is responsible for your baggage. And in case of loss or damage to luggage, it is obliged to pay compensation for each kilogram of weight in accordance with the Warsaw Convention. But the maximum payout amount is quite small.

When purchasing luggage insurance, the amount received may be significantly higher. Of course, the airline will still pay compensation, and the insurance company will deduct its amount from its insurance payment, but it will be more profitable in the end. On the other hand, if you do not carry more or less valuable items in your luggage, then perhaps compensation from the airline will suit you, because shorts and T-shirts are inexpensive almost everywhere and you can generally forget about their loss. However, if the luggage is obviously valuable (for example, I have a tripod, chargers for various devices, expensive shoes), then it makes sense to insure the luggage with an insurance company.

Thus, having luggage insurance, if it is lost, you will receive more or less real compensation. By the way, you can also insure the delay of luggage, because it happens that luggage is lost, but after a day it is found, and during these days you have to somehow get out by buying hygiene items and at least some clothes.

Where can I buy

Basically you only have 3 options.

1. Baggage insurance is most often purchased as an additional option to regular travel insurance. That is, we chose basic insurance and added an option for luggage. The matter is voluntary. The cost is very small, and often the option is already included in the insurance by default. How to check and add? Go to my favorite one, check the box, select the insurance amount for your luggage and see the filtered results. You can also check the “baggage delay” checkbox. .

Luggage insurance option on Cherehapa

2. Probably the least popular option is purchasing separate luggage insurance. You can do this both with some specific insurance companies and again with Cherehapa. Set all the parameters (country, dates) and then check the “Luggage insurance” checkbox and uncheck the “Medical insurance” checkbox. True, there will be very few filtered results, since few people offer such insurance as a separate product.

Purchasing separate luggage insurance

3. When purchasing an air ticket, almost all online agencies selling you an air ticket will also intrusively offer you to buy baggage insurance (as well as other options). Remember, there is no need to buy baggage insurance a second time if it is already included in your primary travel insurance. And I really don’t recommend buying basic tour insurance from these agencies; they won’t offer good ones.

Insurance terms and conditions

Baggage is considered lost if it is not found within a certain number of days. They are usually found within the first 24 hours and can even be brought to the hotel. If the luggage is ultimately not found, an insured event occurs. Insurance companies usually take a long time to process such cases, so the airline may first pay you compensation after it admits that the baggage was indeed lost. Again, the insurance company will deduct from its payment the amount already paid by the airline.

When purchasing luggage insurance as an additional option, you can sometimes independently choose the value (estimated) of your luggage. The insured amount ranges from 500 to 2500 dollars/euro. This is the maximum amount for a complete loss; in case of damage to luggage, compensation will be paid only for damaged items, and it also depends on how well the damage can be proven.

Sometimes luggage insurance is already included in your travel medical insurance by default, if it is good and not the most budget insurance. You need to look at specific insurance programs. Other options may also be included.

Some bank card holders (usually premium or credit cards) have their own annual travel insurance with a limit on the number of days or trips. And these insurances may also include luggage insurance. Find out specifics from your bank that issued the card. But usually only loss of luggage is insured; delayed baggage retrieval is not insured. And, for example, in order for the insurance on the Avangard Bank card to take effect, you need to either initially pay for the ticket with their card, or buy something in duty free at the airport of departure, and this is important in the case of luggage.

Some nuances.

• If baggage insurance is an option to the main insurance, then this is what you need to know. Baggage insurance coverage begins from the moment your baggage is checked in at the airport, so this calendar day (departure day) should also be included in your main insurance. It’s just that some people save on one day by buying insurance from the next day after the day of departure. In this case, there is no need to do this. The same applies when returning home - travel insurance ends at 12 am on the day the contract ends, so if the flight is delayed or the plane is late, the insurance may expire. Therefore, it makes sense to buy insurance for one day longer than the duration of the trip.
• A standard luggage insurance contract usually provides for payment of compensation for loss or damage during transportation or as a result of sudden force majeure: natural disasters, fire, robbery, robbery, road accidents, terrorist attacks, strikes and military actions. Insurance does not pay in case of damage by rodents or the fault of the passenger himself, as well as in case of confiscation of luggage.
• You can insure your luggage both for the duration of the flight and for the entire duration of the trip, but only if it is stored at the hotel, in a storage room. Anything you carry with you will not be reimbursed if damaged or lost.
• Some insurance companies use an unconditional deductible when insuring luggage. This is a fixed amount or percentage of the sum insured, which is not compensated. If your damage was less than this amount, no compensation will be paid. For example, if the deductible is $15 and the damage is $10, then no compensation is paid. If the damage is more than this amount, then you will receive monetary compensation minus the deductible.
• Baggage alone is rarely insured. Unless these are particularly valuable things such as antiques, but in this case they constitute a separate insurance contract and this is another topic that we will not touch on now.

Reimbursement from the airline (airport insurance)

As I already wrote, you can simply use compensation from the airline, which is essentially insurance too. But the amount will be small, in accordance with the company’s standard tariffs for 1 kg of luggage. And no matter how valuable your luggage is, the airline has a maximum amount for payments; you won’t be able to get more.

For example, Aeroflot is not responsible for minor damage to luggage, and if the contents are damaged or lost, it pays $20 per 1 kg of weight. But this is ideal, because you will have to prove the value of things, and everything depends on whether they agree with you.

There is another option. If you have something valuable in your luggage (such as a quadcopter), you can check your suitcase at the check-in counter as insured luggage. That is, you declare in advance the items contained in your luggage and write their value in the inventory. But the airline usually charges an additional fee for valuable luggage, about 5-10% of the declared value, and also requires receipts for high values. So buying luggage insurance from an insurance company can again be cheaper. And considering that this whole procedure with registering valuable luggage is quite long (you need to arrive in advance in order to have time to declare your luggage), then again it’s easier to buy insurance, it’s done in 2 clicks.

Insured event with luggage

What to do

• In case of loss or damage to luggage, the first thing to do is to draw up a PIR (property irregularity report) at the Lost and Found counter. Without a PIR number, you will not be able to receive compensation later. After drawing up the act, you must be given written confirmation and a registration number.
• Keep your airline ticket, boarding pass, and baggage receipt. The entire list of documents required to receive financial compensation should be obtained from the airline representative.
• Contact your insurer immediately and receive instructions from an assistant. When calling, you must provide your name, policy number, and place where the insured event occurred.
• In the Lost and Found service, you need to write a statement about the loss or damage, with an inventory of things. If your luggage is lost or damaged, you must report it no more than 24 hours after the incident. First, a protocol is drawn up with airport employees to record the fact of what happened.
• The carrier's representative must draw up a loss or damage report. If he refuses to do this, you need to take a written refusal from him. After arriving back to your homeland, you must provide the protocol and other documents to the insurance company office.

Baggage insurance is the most effective type of protection of personal property during foreign travel. The purpose of this publication is to convey to readers the main nuances of this type of insurance services.

The concept of “baggage” has different meanings for different insurers. The main differences boil down to the fact that some companies consider as such only the property transported in the luggage compartment, while others are ready to provide insurance protection for both checked luggage and hand luggage.

In addition, some insurers are ready to provide protection for luggage exclusively during its transportation on board an aircraft (on a train, bus), while others guarantee protection of property throughout the entire trip.

Insurance risks covered by the policy

The terms of standard policies provide protection for luggage from

• theft during transportation by the carrier or throughout the trip;
• damage due to fire, criminal acts of third parties or natural disasters;
• accidentally sending property on another flight;
• lost by the carrier.

In special cases, in agreement with the insurer, other clauses can be specified in the contract.

Baggage insurance cost

Those wishing to provide insurance coverage for individual items of luggage that are of particular value must categorize each item (antiques, audio, video and photographic equipment, sports equipment, musical equipment, etc.).

In this case, the insurance amount will be calculated based on the market price of the insured property minus depreciation.

The amount of the insurance premium will be influenced by the conditions and situations during which property damage occurred (for example, if expensive skis break during their immediate use, insurance will not be awarded).

Those wishing to insure all their property en masse will be asked to estimate the cost of each piece of transported luggage (suitcase/bag/backpack). For example, with a declared property value of €1,000, the cost of the policy will vary from Ք228 for Ingosstrakh to Ք309 for Liberty. You can compare prices for baggage insurance for flights from different insurers using.

What to do if an insured event occurs

1. Draw up the appropriate RIP-act (from English Property irregularity report) at the Lost and Found counter (with the obligatory receipt of a registration number and written confirmation).
2. Keep the documents mentioned above along with your ticket, baggage check and boarding pass.
3. Promptly contact the insurer to receive further instructions (when communicating with a company representative, it is advisable to have the policy number on hand).
4. Fill out a statement about damage/loss of property with a list of damaged/disappeared items in order to receive the appropriate protocol (to do this, you will need to contact the Lost and Found service within 24 hours after identifying the fact of damage/shortage of property).
5. Submit a claim to the carrier's representative to draw up a loss/damage report. In case of attempts to “talk out” the problem, request a written refusal.
6. Provide all the above papers to the insurer.

Please note that, in addition to payment from the insurer, citizens have the right to claim compensation from the carrier that caused the loss/damage.

Airline passengers can count on a fairly high amount of compensation thanks to the recent accession of the Russian Federation to the Montreal Convention. In accordance with it, the amount of compensation for damage/loss/destruction/late delivery of baggage can reach 1,000 SDR (the so-called “Special Drawing Rights”). The exchange rate of 1 SDR to the ruble at the beginning of autumn 2017 was Ք83.00.

The world is designed in such a way that luggage does not always travel well during flights; things can quite easily be damaged when transporting them. Or some unforeseen events will happen, for example: fire, robbery, strikes...

Typically, according to international agreement, air carriers compensate for lost baggage in the amount of $20 per kilo of baggage.

Is it possible to insure luggage at the airport? Yes, it's definitely possible. Except that on charter flights of some airlines there is no such service. It is more profitable to insure your luggage directly on the tour. companies where you buy your tickets. It will cost less than buying at the airport.

But if you buy tickets at the box office or fail to take out an insurance policy. Then you will be offered to insure your luggage at the airport. In general, insurance is usually included in the paperwork.

The insurance begins to operate as soon as the luggage passes control and is handed over to the carrier, and the insurance ends at 12 o'clock at night, on the day when the terms of the contract end. And if suddenly the plane is delayed somewhere and the luggage is lost, then there will be no insurance in sight. In such cases, I recommend purchasing an insurance policy that is valid longer than the duration of the flight, at least for one day.

I also advise you to find out one nuance - if the insurance policy pays the airport for lost luggage, will the money be deducted from the total amount of the insurance policy. Insurance will not pay if you personally damage your luggage, or if it is chewed by insects or rodents.

When insuring your luggage, you will need to indicate everything that is included in the luggage. If your luggage disappears or is damaged, you should immediately contact your insurance company for detailed instructions.

If you suddenly miraculously lost your luggage, the first thing you will need to do is submit an application to Lost and Found and indicate all the items that were missing.

They will search for your luggage for about two weeks, and as a rule, they will not give you any money during this time. But there are exceptions when the air carrier can give 50 dollars for the first time.

Do not forget that the insurance policy can be obtained within one month from the moment you arrive home.

To the application you should add a statement about the loss or damage of things, as well as papers indicating that you received a sum of money from the airline, and baggage receipts. Then within 15 days you will be able to receive money for your luggage.

So if you have a question, is it possible to insure your luggage at the airport, - I can tell you this - it’s definitely necessary!

Enjoy your flights!

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When traveling abroad, experienced tourists are required to purchase a health insurance policy in order to protect themselves from unexpected financial expenses in the event of force majeure. What about insurance for personal belongings and luggage? Is it necessary to purchase luggage insurance and how to do it?

Why do you need luggage insurance?

Baggage insurance is designed to protect you from financial losses if your personal belongings are lost. Baggage can be lost at the airport, during loading/unloading of the plane, during a transfer in another city, etc.

In addition, we all know how carefully forklifts handle passengers' bags. It's painful to watch. Damage to things is an extremely offensive and common phenomenon, and try to prove to the airline that it is they who are to blame for the loss and, especially, damage to your property. Baggage insurance is needed to compensate for your losses in the event of an insured event.

“How much will I be paid for damaged or lost things?”

You probably know that the airline you fly with is responsible for your personal belongings when flying. In case of loss of luggage (at the airport, during loading or unloading, during a transfer, etc.), the carrier will pay you compensation. As a rule, it is 15-25 US dollars per 1 kilogram of suitcase/bag/backpack weight.

It's good if this amount covers the cost of all your lost items. But what if you also have a couple of Louboutins, a Chanel clutch or other designer items worth thousands of euros in your suitcase? It is unlikely that such compensation will satisfy you...

But when you take out insurance, you yourself determine the total cost of your belongings and indicate it in the contract. The minimum insured amount will be 500 USD. At your discretion, you can increase it to 2500, and in some cases even more.

“And if I’m carrying very valuable things with me, can I insure them separately?”

As a rule, for most customers, regular baggage insurance will be sufficient. You can insure jewelry, fur, antiques, and securities, but this is a separate type of insurance.

“What is and is not an insured event?”

A “standard” contract involves payment of compensation for:

• lost luggage;
• damage to luggage during transportation;
• loss and damage to luggage during natural disasters, fire, robbery, road accidents, terrorist attacks, military operations, etc.

The insurer will not pay you compensation if you were careless with your belongings (for example, you left your bag unattended). If the insured person is found to be intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, no payments will be made. Also, compensation is not provided for confiscation of luggage or damage to it by rodents or insects.

What you should pay special attention to when choosing insurance

Check whether a deductible is used - the amount of damage that the policyholder compensates at his own expense, and the insurer is exempt from paying the amount established by the deductible.

To understand what a deductible is, let’s look at an example: the deductible is stated at $50, while on a trip you lost a handbag with things worth $49. In this case, you will not receive compensation. In case of loss of luggage in the amount of 290 USD you can count on a refund of 290-50 = 240 USD.

Another important point. If the carrier airline has paid you a certain amount of compensation for damaged or lost luggage, the insurance company, in order to compensate for your losses, will deduct from the payment the amount that you received from the airline.

Remember that in case of lost luggage, the carrier will pay you only $20 per 1 kg of weight. And then only after three weeks. This is not a very rosy situation, which is also clouded by the fact that domestic airlines are extremely reluctant to accommodate the owners of items and are constantly delaying payments. And low-cost airlines (and even Russian ones) are completely special.

“How does insurance work?”

The insurance coverage begins on the day specified in the contract, from the moment of crossing the border or handing over the luggage to the carrier. The expiration date is exactly midnight on the day the contract ends.

This is an important point, because if suddenly your plane is late, or there is a late landing and your luggage goes missing, insurance will no longer help you! It is recommended to purchase a policy that is valid for one more day after your return.

“How do I get compensation?”

So, let’s imagine that something terrible has happened: your luggage is missing or hopelessly damaged. What to do?

First, you need to immediately call the insurance company from which you purchased the policy, the operator will coordinate your further actions.

Contact your local Lost and Found service and file a missing persons report with an inventory of your items. The application must be submitted within 24 hours of the loss.

And be sure to save your luggage receipts! They are necessary to receive compensation.

“How long do I have to wait?”

Alas, no one will return anything to you right now. Baggage is considered lost only if it is not found within 14 days.

The airline may refund your money immediately, but only up to a very small amount - about $50, so that you can buy what you need for the first time. And even then, not every airline pays such compensation.

To receive money you must:

• within a month from the date of return, write a statement to the insurance company;
• attach to the application a report of lost/damaged luggage and luggage receipts;
• if you received compensation from the airline, attach these documents too.

Within two weeks you will receive monetary compensation from the insurance company.

By choosing a “site”, you make a choice in favor of the most reliable, responsible and proven ones, which means you go on an unforgettable journey without any worries!!

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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 the airlines. It is for this case that most insurance companies offer additional risk coverage in standard policies for traveling abroad.

Why insure your luggage?

The airline is responsible for luggage checked in during the flight.

What will be reimbursed in any case

In case of damage or loss of luggage, the carrier is required by law to reimburse the traveler a certain amount for each kilogram of weight. Most Russian airlines reimburse $20 (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 flight, compensation will be $460.

What will the insurance company reimburse?

Baggage insurance does not prevent such troubles, 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 valued at $1,000, the airline will pay only $400. You can order a policy from an insurance company that would cover the cost of lost luggage in full. In addition, insurance companies by “baggage” mean not only a suitcase, but also a traveler’s carry-on luggage.

What is the sum insured

Typically, insurers offer to insure luggage for amounts of $500, $750, $1000, $1500, $2000 or $2500. This is the insured amount - the amount of compensation that the insurance company undertakes to pay in the event of an insured event. The amount for which baggage is insured is specified in the contract and in the terms of service of 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
• Road accident or accident
• intentional damage to luggage by third parties

As with any other insurance, luggage insurance has a number of conditions and exclusions.

Compensation is not paid if the insured event occurs due to:	Not insured:
Alcohol or drug intoxication of a tourist	Cash and bank cards
Tourist suicides or attempted suicides	Precious metals in bullions and products made of precious metals
Exposure to a nuclear explosion or radiation	Fur
Intentional damage or loss of luggage by the traveler himself or interested third parties	Antiques and works of art, religious objects
Committing an illegal act by a tourist	Manuscripts, drawings and business papers
Military actions, riots, strikes, riots, terrorism	Dentures, contact lenses
Wear, rust, mold luggage	Animals and plants
Damage to luggage caused by insects or rodents	Auto, motorcycle, air, bicycle transport and spare parts for it
Sending luggage by mail
Failure of the owner to take measures to save the property

* Using the example of the Ingosstrakh company

Where and how to apply

The Baggage Insurance option is available when purchasing regular medical insurance when traveling abroad. You can apply for insurance online through the insurance company’s website, by phone or in the office.

How much does it cost to insure luggage

Some companies (AIG, InTouch, AlfaStrakhovanie) by default include luggage insurance in the amount of $1000-2500 in their insurance products for travelers. Other companies (Ingosstrakh, Soglasie, Allianz) offer to independently choose the insured amount (from $250 to $2000), on which the cost of the policy will depend.

* Prices for baggage insurance as an additional option for standard medical insurance (sum insured $50,000). Designed for one traveler under 65 years of age for a trip to any foreign country.

What to do if an insured event occurs and how to get compensation

If the suitcase does not appear on the baggage belt or is returned to the owner in a deplorable condition, the first step is to contact airline representatives or the airport's Lost Items Bureau. 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 luggage, as well as 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:

• Application for damage or loss of luggage
• Baggage ticket or baggage weight tag
• Document confirming the fact of loss of luggage
• Document confirming receipt of compensation from the transport organization

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