Travelling across the world is an exciting opportunity. It gives travellers a chance to explore new cities, cultures and delicacies. However, it does come with a lot of uncertainties. One challenge most travellers face while travelling is lost baggage.
Losing baggage while travelling is not only frustrating but also expensive. Due to this reason, many travellers prefer to have overseas travel insurance with baggage cover. It is the coverage that provides reimbursement for the loss of baggage or belongings.
Individuals who travel with family can go with a family travel insurance plan from insurers like Tata AIG, to secure their overseas trip. In this blog, we will understand in detail how to make baggage insurance claims.
What is Lost baggage?
Baggage loss is a condition where the baggage is either lost, damaged, or stolen during the journey. It generally happened with the check-in baggage. The baggage gets misplaced by the airline.
If the traveller’s baggage or luggage does not arrive at the destination at all, then it comes under the baggage loss category.
Reasons of Loss of Check-in Baggage
There are several reasons for the loss of baggage; some of the common reasons are listed below:
- Wrong Destination: Many times, when airlines run at total capacity, the baggage gets sent to the wrong destination due to human error. The airline crew or staff entered the wrong destination code which leads to baggage loss.
- Damaged Baggage Tag: At the time of boarding, the airline crew attached a tag to the bag. If that tag gets damaged or torn, the chances of locating baggage are low. It generally happens with individuals who have connecting flights.
Understanding of Baggage Insurance Cover Under Travel Insurance
Travel baggage insurance is the coverage in which policyholders will get compensated if the checked-in baggage is lost or damaged by the airline’s crew.
Further, the policy also covers the baggage content that gets stolen while travelling as per the policy terms and conditions. Policyholders can claim baggage insurance cover under the following scenarios.
- If the baggage is damaged or lost or not delivered by the airline crew.
- If the baggage gets lost while travelling on a public train as a ticketed passenger.
- If your entire baggage is damaged.
- If the entire baggage is lost or damaged, not just part of its content.
- If the baggage is misdirected to another destination by the airline.
The compensation for baggage claims is generally paid after deducting the compensation paid by the airline.
How to File Lost Baggage Insurance Claim?
The baggage insurance claim procedure is straightforward. Below are the steps to file for a lost baggage insurance claim:
Step 1: Inform the Authorities
The very first step to initiate the lost baggage insurance claim is to inform the authorities about the lost or damaged baggage.
If the checked-in baggage is lost, then you need to inform the airline baggage claim helpdesk. The airline will look for baggage and provide a Property Irregularity Report (PIR).
Step 2: Gather All Documents
After getting the PIR, individuals need to gather all the relevant documents, such as boarding tickets or passes, baggage tags, communication copies with airlines, and more.
Step 3: Contact Insurance Provider
Policyholders need to inform the insurance provider as soon as possible after the baggage loss to get the claim amount. The insurance company representative will ask some questions to proceed with the claim process.
Step 4: Fill Out the Claim Form
The representative will ask you to fill out the claim form. Ensure to fill out the form correctly and provide accurate details about the lost items with estimated values.
Step 5: Review Policy Terms and Conditions
Carefully review the policy terms and conditions before submitting the claim form and all relevant documents to the insurance provider.
Step 6: Wait For Claim Assessment
After submitting the documents, the insurance company will review the claim documents. The representative may ask for additional information for any clarification related to claim submission.
Step 7: Claim Settlement
Once the assessment is done, the insurance company will decide the claim settlement amount based on policy conditions. If the claim is approved, the insurance company will reimburse for the lost baggage and its contents.
Overseas travel insurance with baggage cover generally covers lost or damaged items up to the specified coverage limits.
Conclusion
Baggage loss during a trip can put an additional financial burden on travellers if they do not have a travel insurance plan. The plan not only secures individual trips but also offers financial assistance in case of emergency.
In case of baggage loss, filing a claim as soon as possible is crucial. While submitting the baggage insurance claim, provide detailed information about the baggage content.
