Don’t overlook baggage coverage when you’re shopping for a travel insurance plan. It provides monetary assistance if things go awry with your luggage during a trip.
There are two forms of baggage coverage: Baggage loss and baggage delay. You’ll want to understand both types so you can pick a travel insurance plan that works best for you.
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Understanding Baggage Loss Travel Insurance
Baggage loss insurance covers baggage that is lost, damaged or stolen during your trip. The best travel insurance plans provide $2,500 and up per person for baggage loss.
But not everything in your bags might fall under the insurance coverage. Some insurers exclude certain types of items from coverage, such as electronics, watches, silver, gold and platinum. If you travel with expensive items such laptops, cameras and other electronic equipment, know whether your travel insurance policy includes these items.
Understanding baggage reimbursement caps and benefits
The maximum coverage per person for baggage insurance on most travel insurance policies ranges from $250 to $3,000. Most travel insurance policies also have a per item coverage cap of $50 to $500. If you have an expensive item, like a pricey suitcase, there may be a big gap between the amount you paid for it and what your insurance compensation may be. For example, if you have a $14,500 ridge black Fendi suitcase, you’d only be reimbursed for that item.
Most policies also include a “specific items” limit for expensive items such as jewelry, cameras and electronics. This amount typically ranges from $250 to $500 for specific items, but some policies can reimburse between $1,000 and $2,500 for specific items. For example, the Gold policy from John Hancock Insurance Agency offers up to $2,500 for specific items.
Baggage loss coverage is typically secondary to other claims you can make, such as reimbursement from the common carrier (like the airline) or from a homeowners insurance claim.
If you do file a travel insurance baggage claim, it’s important to know that reimbursement may not equal the amount to replace the item with a brand-new item. Reimbursement could be the cost for repair or replacement of the item, or the actual cash value of the item, whichever is less.
Understanding Baggage Delay Insurance
Baggage delay insurance reimburses you for expenses you have to pay because your baggage is delayed. This coverage kicks in after a certain number of hours specified in your policy, such as 12 hours. Typical daily allowances for baggage delay reimbursement are in the $200 per person range, per day. This modest allowance is designed to help pay for necessities, not replace your entire bag’s contents.
As with baggage loss insurance, baggage delay coverage is often secondary to other claims you can make, such as a claim with the airline. Some travel insurers offer primary coverage, such as HTH Worldwide.
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Baggage Insurance Benefits for Carry-on vs. Checked Luggage
While carrying on bags is more convenient, the rules for travel insurance coverage for checked luggage and carry-ons are the same. But carry-on bags means there’s much less likelihood of a lost or damaged bag, so you don’t need to prioritize ample baggage insurance.
Related: Travel medical insurance
How Much Baggage Insurance Do I Need?
To determine how much baggage insurance you need, assess the value of what you’re packing (plus the value of your actual luggage). You’ll want to buy enough baggage insurance to cover what you stand to lose if your suitcases are lost, damaged or stolen.
Travel insurance plans with the best baggage reimbursement
| Travel insurance plan | Forbes Advisor rating | Maximum reimbursement for lost and damaged baggage | Per item | Specific limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Insured International – Worldwide Trip Protector |  | $1,000 | $250 | $500 |
| WorldTrips – Atlas Journey Premier | | $2,000 | $500 | N/A |
| Nationwide – Cruise Luxury |  | $2,500 | $300 | $600 |
| TravelSafe – Classic Plus | | $2,500 | $300 | $600 |
| PrimeCover – Luxe |  | $3,000 | $500 | N/A |
| AIG – Travel Guard Preferred | | $1,000 | N/A | N/A |
| AXA Assistance USA – Platinum | | $3,000 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Generali Global Assistance – Premium | | $2,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Seven Corners – Trip Protection Choice | | $2,500 | $250 | $1,000 |
| Travelex – Travel Select | | $1,000 | $500 first item, $250 subsequent items | $500 |
Filing a Baggage Insurance Claim
Documentation is very important when filing any type of insurance claim. Keep all receipts organized, such as the receipts for what you had to buy during the time your baggage was delayed. You will also typically be required to provide the original receipts or proof of purchase of the items you want to claim when you file a lost or stolen baggage claim.
If your bags are stolen, file a report with the local authorities. If your bags are lost, be sure to get a report from the airline or other transportation supplier.
You can file a travel insurance claim using your policy number through your company’s website, the customer assistance telephone number or through the company’s app.
When it comes to processing baggage delay claims faster, some travel insurance companies have upped their game. For example, the Allianz Travel SmartBenefits feature provides quicker fixed-amount payments for qualifying baggage delays. If your luggage is delayed on a trip, it will reimburse you for $100 per person, per day, with no receipts required. If you have receipts, it will pay up to the plan’s daily reimbursement limit.
Baggage Insurance for Sports Equipment for Competitions
Traveling with sports equipment for competition can present its own insurance challenges. Most travel insurance policies do not cover reimbursement for missing a competition due to lost equipment. Some policies exclude coverage for professional competition altogether.
There are, however, some travel insurance plans specifically designed for sports travel. For example, the Tin Leg Adventure plan covers trip cancellation and interruption if “you are unable to participate in a scheduled hunting/fishing expedition due to a delay of the necessary personal sporting equipment by the common carrier.”
Extra Help from Travel Insurance
Travel insurance not only protects your checked or carry-on luggage, it also extends to other types of belongings when they’re lost, stolen or damaged during a trip.
“Maybe you lose your backpack or your train ticket, or your passport gets wet, you get pickpocketed and lose your wallet, or your phone gets lost or stolen,” says Lisa Cheng, spokesperson with World Nomads. “Although travel insurance won’t cover credit cards or cash, travel insurance can support you in either getting replacements or reimbursements for these things, provided that you’ve taken reasonable care of them.”
