Lost Luggage: Are You Covered Without Travel Insurance?
The Californer/10219015

COSTA MESA, Calif. - Californer -- Your bag may be lost or delayed. There are protections for your luggage in both of these instances. If you purchased a travel insurance policy (or have a premium travel card) that offers baggage insurance benefits, the baggage delay coverage will reimburse you for the purchase of essential items such as a toothbrush, toiletries, change of clothes, and more, for each day that you are without your belongings.

If you have lost luggage, look at your homeowners insurance policy first before seeking reimbursement from the travel insurance provider, which limits the amount you can claim for the high-end items. You may be fully covered if you have home, renters or condo insurance. The off-premises portion of your policy would cover losses of personal property outside of the home. Delayed, damaged, lost, and stolen bags go hand-in-hand with traveling. In fact incidents of mishandled luggage increased 24% in 2021. That's about 6 out of every 1000 bags mishandled in the second half of 2021. In December 2021, a total of 262,327 bags were mishandled, with 49,535 of those bags being mishandled by American Airlines alone.

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The likelihood of experiencing luggage loss or delay is about 4.7 times higher on international routes than on domestic ones, which is why we're seeing more bags get mishandled and lost ever since COVID restrictions on flying were lifted.

In 2021 there were a total of 192 baggage complaints with the airlines, compared with 54 in 2020. Of all mishandled luggage, lost and stolen bags accounted for 6% of all luggage issues, while damaged and pilfered baggage accounted for 23%.

If you're traveling around the month of December, take note that it's the busiest time of the season for flying and for losing luggage in airports. Here are some details on how to protect your personal belongings before your next trip.

For more insights visit https://smartfinancial.com/home-insurance