Travel
Does travel insurance cover lost luggage?
The short answer
Yes, but the airline is liable first for bags it loses. Travel insurance covers what the airline won't, plus theft and damage elsewhere — limited by a single-item cap, a total baggage limit and your excess.
Airline first, insurer second
For checked bags lost or damaged by an airline, claim on the airline under the Montreal Convention — up to roughly 1,288 SDR per passenger. File a Property Irregularity Report at the airport before you leave; without it both the airline and the insurer can refuse.
Your travel policy then covers the shortfall and your excess-level costs, so keep the airline's written decision.
Delayed baggage
Most policies pay for essential replacements after a set delay, commonly 12 or 24 hours, up to a stated amount, with receipts required. If the bag never arrives it becomes a lost baggage claim.
Limits and exclusions to check
A single-item limit (often £200–£500) applies per item, so a camera or laptop may be well underinsured. Valuables must usually be in your hand luggage, not checked in.
Items left unattended — on a beach, in a car boot in some policies, or in an unlocked room — are excluded. Cash limits are low and business equipment is often excluded entirely.
Check these on your own policy
- Property Irregularity Report before leaving the airport
- Airline claim submitted first, decision kept in writing
- Receipts for emergency replacements
- Valuables carried in hand luggage
Common follow-up questions
Do I need receipts for everything in my bag?
For higher-value items, yes — or bank statements, photos or box serial numbers. Ordinary clothing is usually accepted on an itemised list.
Does home insurance cover my luggage abroad?
Only if you have personal possessions cover with worldwide protection. It can have a higher single-item limit than travel cover, so compare both.