We all know it’s important to be careful with your own gear while travelling but sometimes the worst still happens. If your luggage or travel documents are stolen, your policy may help… and if your sporting equipment is lost or damaged while being transported by a common carrier, your policy may be able to help with that too.
You’ve been watching your luggage like a hawk and holding onto it like an Indonesian Coconut Crab (the crafty crustaceans have grip strength so strong it can crush bones). But the worst has happened……now what?
First things first:
1. Report the incident to the authorities whether it be the airline, police, hotel front desk or security.
2. Contact us to report the claim.
3. Depending on what was stolen or lost, you now need to take the necessary steps to replace the items.
There's coverage to claim up to the policy limits if:
Your personal belongings are stolen during your trip
Your checked-in bags are delayed 12 hours or more by your carrier
Your baggage or personal belongings are lost or damaged by your common carrier
Your travel visa, driver’s license, birth certificate or passport are stolen or damaged
Benefit limits apply for both individual items and per policyholder.
Depending on what happened, your personal effects are covered by repairing, replacing or paying you its value in cash, after taking into account wear and tear and depreciation.
If your personal effects (including passport and other similar documents) are stolen or damaged, you’ll need to obtain a written official report from the local police or other appropriate authority within 24 hours of when it happened. While we understand that this can be a challenge in a country where you don't speak the language and you may even need to pay for it, it’s a condition of the policy that must be met in order for a claim to be considered.
If the incident happened with your airline or another transportation provider, you may need to get a common carrier report. You’ll also need to show you’ve tried to seek compensation for the goods through that carrier first.
And of course, you’ll also need to provide evidence of the value and your ownership of the goods to support your claim. What we are looking for is proof that the item was yours. If you’re not sure what you need to do contact us.
Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Be sure to read the policy wording, which explains in detail the terms, conditions and exclusions.
At no time for any reason should you leave your bags or any personal items unsupervised anywhere. For example, this might mean you shouldn’t leave it unattended on the beach, in a café while you go get a coffee or in the lobby of the hotel. Your personal belongings are not covered at all if they're:
Unaccompanied or left unsupervised in a public place
Jewelry and other high-value items
Left in an unattended motor vehicle, UNLESS taken from a locked trunk, locked and concealed luggage compartment between sunrise and sunset local time with evidence of damage or forced entry confirmed by a police report.
Shipped as freight
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage or if you have questions, just ask us.
We’re here to help if you have a question about travel insurance. We’re available:
Within Canada & continental USA, toll free:
1 877 328 2528
International collect:
+1 416 646 3723
Before your trip, check the latest government advice – for your destination and any travel alerts including important COVID-19 coverage advisory and limitations.