Over 2.8 million Italians have had problems with their luggage in the last year. Here’s when the policy reimburses for loss, theft or late delivery, what is excluded and how much it costs to protect it
The suitcase that doesn’t arrive on the belt at the destination airport, or that arrives but is damaged: it’s not an unfounded fear, the numbers confirm it. In the last year it has happened to more than 2.8 million Italians, according to a survey by the EMG research institute for Facile.it. And so more and more travelers (2.1 million) are taking action by signing up for insurance before leaving to protect their luggage. But how much is it really worth? And above all, what does it cover in practice and what is left out? Let’s clarify.
Lost, stolen or delayed suitcases: the numbers of inconvenience
Those traveling with checked baggage can encounter various types of unexpected events. The most serious case is that of the loss by the airline: it affected over 1.9 million passengers, who saw the suitcase disappear into thin air together with all its contents, without any possibility of recovery. Then there are those who fared a little better, but not without discomfort: more than 786 thousand holidaymakers received their baggage late, perhaps after hours of waiting at the carousel, or worse, days after arriving at their destination. Finally, almost 168 thousand people suffered a theft directly at the airport: an episode which, unlike loss, is not attributable to the airline and which therefore follows completely different reimbursement rules. It is not surprising, then, that among those who have taken out a travel insurance policy, more than 1 in 3 have also chosen to add specific coverage for theft or loss of luggage.
What luggage insurance really covers
Loss of luggage insurance is generally proposed as an extension of the classic travel policy and intervenes in various situations: permanent loss, damage or late delivery by the air carrier, but also theft during the holiday, not only at the airport or on board the plane, but for the entire duration of the trip. In the event of permanent loss or theft, the insurance company reimburses the value of the lost goods, always within the limits set by the contract. One aspect to keep in mind: the compensation is calculated on the commercial value of the objects; therefore, there is no margin for the sentimental value that that suitcase or that contents could have had for those who lost it. The situation is different for delayed delivery: in this case the policy reimburses the expenses incurred for the purchase of basic necessities, such as personal hygiene items or clothing, necessary to face the wait without having to give up the trip. Some companies also provide reimbursement of rental costs for those who, in the event of a delay in delivery, find themselves without prams, strollers or wheelchairs. However, there is an important clause: the delay guarantee does not apply if the mix-up concerns the return flight home. And the very definition of “delay” changes from insurance to insurance: generally we talk about delay when at least 8-12 hours pass from the expected arrival time of the suitcase. Attention: if you wear them documents in your baggage (passport, identity card or driving licence), the company also reimburses the costs necessary for redoing these documents. It’s different though treatment for electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, tablets or cameras: to obtain compensation in these cases it is almost always necessary to have signed an additional specific guarantee.
Baggage insurance exclusions to know before leaving
But like any insurance, baggage insurance also has very specific limits. The first major exclusion concerns the negligent behavior of the insured: if the suitcase is left unattended, if there has been forgetfulness or carelessness, the company will not compensate anything, because it is gross negligence or willful misconduct. Goods such as cash, cheques, travel tickets and art objects are also always excluded from coverage. And of course, to obtain any type of compensation, it is necessary to document the accident with the evidence requested by the company: without this, the refund request risks being rejected. It should also be noted that some policies expressly exclude items purchased during the triplike souvenirs. Before signing the insurance it is essential to carefully check the guarantees included, the presence of deductibles, overdrafts or exclusions.
How much does it cost to insure luggage
Does protecting your luggage cost a lot? According to the analysis by Facile.it, a travel policy that includes both health care and luggage loss coverage starts from around 12 euros for a 10-day stay in Europe. For those who focus on non-European destinations, however, the price rises starting from 34 euros for two weeks of travel. Comparing the figures to the value of the average contents of a suitcase, the cover is an affordable investment all in all.
