Baggage protection is an essential part of your travel insurance. It doesn’t just cover your bags if they’re lost, damaged, or delayed by the airline – it can also protect your personal property throughout your travels. 

However, travelers often misunderstand how baggage insurance works and what it covers. Here’s what you need to know.

What is baggage insurance for travel?

Here’s the super-simple definition: Baggage insurance can reimburse you for certain financial losses when your baggage is lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed during your travels. “Baggage” doesn’t just mean your suitcase. We define it as any personal property you take with you or acquire on your trip.

Is it worth getting baggage insurance?

Baggage insurance is a smart buy, especially when it’s included in the cost of your travel insurance plan. Depending on which travel insurance plan you choose, you can be reimbursed up to $500-$2,000 for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage (per insured person, per trip). You can also be reimbursed up to $200-$2,000, depending on the plan, for the purchase of necessary items during a covered travel delay.

Just be aware that you’ll need to have receipts in order to get the maximum value for any lost/damaged/stolen items, as well as other documentation to prove your claim.

What does baggage insurance cover?

Here’s an overview of what the baggage benefits in your Allianz Travel Insurance plan can do, with real-world examples from travelers’ reviews on Trustpilot. Remember: Read your plan for the full details, as coverage varies by plan. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Benefits and coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

• Baggage insurance can reimburse you for repairing or replacing damaged bags.

“First time I ever purchased the insurance. I had a brand new suitcase and the airline put a hole clear through the front of it on the first time I used it. I sent pics of the damage and Allianz cut me a check for replacement right away. It was so easy I will always use them from now on. Great peace of mind!” – John B.

• Baggage insurance can reimburse you for stolen baggage, or items stolen from your baggage.

“Great communication regarding status of my claim and very pleased with the approval. When TSA, airlines and airport wouldn't do a thing about the stolen items from our luggage, you pulled through.” – Lisa E.

• Baggage insurance can reimburse you for baggage lost or damaged by the airline.

“We made the claim for baggage damage after [the airline] rejected. Allianz was very understanding about the issue and did our claim in a very timely manner. The whole process was completed just in a week which was professional work.” – Catherine W.

• Baggage insurance can reimburse you for personal items that get lost, damaged, and stolen on your trip.

“Unfortunately my iPhone was stolen overseas. I filed a claim line with Allianz and it was paid in a few weeks. No hassle.” – John D.

• Baggage insurance can reimburse you for buying essential items when your baggage is delayed on the outbound journey (for the minimum required delay listed in your plan.)

“I had my baggage delayed 3 times in the last 2 years during international travel. You really do need supplies when you have no luggage. All 3 times I claimed from Allianz and got refunded within days!!! They make it very easy to submit receipts and any needed documentation. Thank you!” – Lian B.

• Baggage insurance can give you an inconvenience payment of $100 for a covered baggage delay—no receipts required (available as part of the OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier plans). If your expenses exceed $100, simply file a claim with receipts for the rest.

“Recently we filed a ‘delayed baggage’ claim when our checked bags were left in Seattle by [airline]. I used the Allyz app to file the claim from Paris. Allianz paid the claim quickly. Later, I realized that selecting the “no receipts” option limited Allianz’s liability to $100 per person. Upon calling a claims representative, she had me submit proof of our expenses. Allianz Claims approved these additional expenses (above and beyond $100 pp) and we have now been reimbursed.” – Theodore H.

What’s not covered by baggage insurance?

Your travel insurance will not pay the full replacement value of every item that’s lost, stolen, or damaged. It can reimburse the lesser of the following (up to the maximum benefit limit in your plan):

• The cost to repair the damaged baggage; or
• The cost to replace the lost, damaged, or stolen baggage with the same or similar item, reduced by 10% for each full year since the original purchase date, up to the maximum of 50% reduction.

You’ll need to provide original receipts or proofs of purchase for each lost, damaged, or stolen item. If you don’t have a receipt, insurance will only cover up to 50% of the cost to replace it.

There’s a sublimit for high-value items. This means your plan has a specific limit for how much it will reimburse you for things like jewelry, watches, electronics, phones, and cameras. Read your plan documents for the full list of high-value items.

Your plan documents also describe certain things that are excluded from baggage coverage. These baggage insurance exclusions include money, currency and credit cards; antiques and art objects; tickets and passports; hearing aids, prescription eyewear, and contact lenses; bicycles, skis, and snowboards (except while they are checked with a travel carrier), and more. 

OK, so how does this work in real life? Here’s a hypothetical scenario: Your backpack is stolen from the luggage rack while you’re on a train in Italy. You report the theft to the rail line and local police, but they aren’t able to recover it. Luckily, you have OneTrip Prime (our most popular plan for international travel), which includes $1,000 in baggage benefits with a $500 sublimit for high-value items. How much money could you receive for your stolen baggage?

* Example for illustration only. Baggage coverage reimbursement amounts and eligibility are determined by the details in your claim and your travel insurance plan documents.

What should I do when my baggage gets lost, stolen, damaged or delayed?

The main thing to remember: Document everything right away.

To be eligible to file a claim, you must:

• Have taken reasonable steps to keep your baggage safe and intact and to recover it.
• Have filed and retained a copy of a report describing the property and its value with the appropriate local authorities, travel carrier, hotel, or tour operator within 24 hours of discovery of the loss.
• Have reported the theft or loss of a cell phone to your network provider and asked them to block the device.

We understand that this isn’t always easy. You might not know how to report the loss, or have trouble communicating with the police when you don’t speak the language. We’re here to help. Use the Allyz® app or call our emergency assistance number to reach 24-hour assistance. We can connect you with local law enforcement and provide interpretation services.

Also, make sure you keep all receipts for purchases, both before your trip and during your trip. Taking a quick photo of the receipt every time you buy something is a good idea. You’ll need this documentation to file a baggage insurance claim. Start the process in the online Claims Center, or use the Allyz® app. We’ll walk you through each step.

Where’s the best place to buy travel insurance that covers baggage loss or damage?

Allianz Partners is a top choice for travel insurance with baggage coverage, based on the company’s positive reviews from travelers, rapid claims processing, and transparency in the claims process. Allianz has 4+ stars on Trustpilot, which reflects the opinions of 200,000+ customers.

Allianz also offers a range of plans that include baggage insurance. The budget-priced OneTrip Basic plan includes up to $500 for baggage loss, theft, and damage and up to $200 for covered baggage delays. OneTrip Premier offers some of the best baggage protection available: up to $2,000 for baggage loss, theft, and damage and up to $600 for covered baggage delays.

Compare plans and get a quote.

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