| February 2nd, 2010 | | | | is an allowance, usually based on each 24 hours the |
| A question often asked is can I claim compensation for | | | | luggage is delayed, for you to buy essential |
| delayed or missing bags when I travel? And none of | | | | replacement items, such as clothing and toiletries, for |
| us can safely say these days that it won't happen to | | | | you to survive until your bags arrive. There will be an |
| me. Rules regarding airline liability for mishandled | | | | upper limit to this daily allowance and your travel |
| luggage are laid out in the Montreal Convention, which | | | | insurance company will be looking for receipts for |
| sets the maximum payout at just over £1,000 to | | | | these items to accompany any claim you make. This |
| cover emergency items or to replace possessions | | | | still requires you to pay first and claim back later but at |
| which are damaged or irretrievably lost. But, in reality, | | | | least it means you won't be too much out of pocket. |
| passengers can find it hard to get a fraction of this | | | | Do remember to obtain what the airlines call a |
| sum. Airlines will ask for original receipts for items that | | | | 'Property Irregularity Report' from the Lost Luggage |
| are lost or damaged and, even if you are able to | | | | Section at the airport at the time your bags go missing. |
| produce these, the airlines are unlikely to pay up in full, | | | | You will need to send this to your travel insurance |
| on the grounds of depreciation. | | | | company to substantiate your claim and they will also |
| Losing a bag can be a distressing experience, made | | | | be looking for proof of when the bags were returned |
| worse by the generally poor customer service at | | | | to you, so a signed and dated receipt will also be |
| some airport's lost luggage counters and, if it happens | | | | expected. If you don't have these, then it is very |
| on the outward journey, what do you do? Do you | | | | possible that the insurers will not pay your claim. |
| make do with the clothing you have in the hope that | | | | If your bags become 'irretrievably' lost, then the |
| the luggage will arrive or buy replacements? Tough | | | | insurance company will need a letter from the airline |
| decision to make and is all very stressful at a time | | | | confirming this and you will then be able to claim for all |
| when you should be enjoying your holiday? | | | | the lost items under the Lost Baggage Section of your |
| There is no magic wand to wave here but you can | | | | policy. But don't let the thought of losing your luggage |
| help yourself by being adequately protected by having | | | | overly worry you. Just get the required paperwork, |
| travel insurance cover in place before you go. What | | | | know what you can claim for and get on with your |
| travel insurance should provide in these circumstances | | | | holiday. |