Baggage Travel Insurance for Canadian Travellers
Learn how travel insurance for baggage may help if your bags are lost, delayed, stolen or damaged
- As featured in:
As featured in:
At a glance
- World Nomads offers single trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance plans for Canadian residents that includes protection for baggage, sporting equipment, and personal items
- Lost, stolen, and delayed bags and sporting equipment may be covered
- If your checked-in bags are delayed by more than 12 hours en route to your destination, your plan may reimburse you for necessary personal effects for essential items such as clothing and toiletries, so you're not left wearing the same thing until you get your bags (up to maximum benefit limits as shown in your policy documents)
- Damaged or stolen passports, baggage, or personal items such as cameras and computers may be covered (up to the depreciated value and subject to per-item and maximum limits)
- Why should you consider travel insurance for stolen, lost or delayed bags?
- What’s Covered by Baggage Insurance
- Important to Know
- Maximum Limits for Baggage and Personal Items
- How to Make a Claim for Lost or Stolen Baggage and Personal Effects
- Travel and Packing Tips
- FAQs
Why should you consider travel insurance for stolen, lost or delayed bags?
We’ve been the ones sitting at the baggage carousel waiting for the bag that never came, and unfortunately, we’re not the only ones. Data reported by TravelPulse Canada showed that almost one in three Canadians have had their luggage misplaced by an airline. Because of that, you may want to consider getting a quote for travel insurance for baggage and personal effects. If your bags are lost by a common carrier, travel insurance may reimburse you for the depreciated value to replace items such as clothing, cameras, computers and more (maximum benefit limits and per-item limits apply).
Sometimes your bags accidentally take a different route to get to your destination. Even though they may eventually get to you, you could find yourself waiting for hours to be reunited with them. If your checked bags are delayed for at least 12 hours by an airline or ground carrier, you may be reimbursed for things such as toiletries or a change of clothes (up to maximum benefit limits shown in your policy).
What’s Covered by Baggage Insurance
- Baggage delays by your airline or other common carrier on the way to your destination
- Bags and sporting equipment lost or damaged by your airline or common carrier
- Stolen baggage or personal items (including your smartphone or camera)
- Stolen sporting equipment
- Sporting equipment delay
- Damaged, lost, or stolen passports and IDs
Important to Know
- Bags left unsupervised or in an unlocked car won’t be covered
- Stolen items must be reported to the local authorities and you must obtain a police report.
- Benefits are payable only after you’ve exhausted reimbursement from your transportation carrier or other responsible parties
- Lost or stolen items are subject to depreciation
- Coverage is subject to per-item and total maximum benefit limit amounts as shown in your policy
Maximum Limits for Baggage and Personal Items
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Baggage Loss: Up to $1,000 CAD total, and up to $500 per item Baggage Delay: Up to $250 Travel Documents Theft or Damage: Up to $250 Get a quote |
Baggage Loss: Up to $2,000 total, and up to $1,000 for each item Baggage Delay: Up to $500 Travel Documents Theft or Damage: Up to $750 Get a quote |
Baggage Loss: Up to $5,000 total, and up to $1,500 per item Baggage Delay: Up to $1,000 Travel Documents Theft or Damage: Up to $1,500 Get a quote |
Baggage Loss: Up to $2,000 total, and up to $1,000 per item Baggage Delay: Up to $500 Travel Documents Theft or Damage: Up to $750 Get a quote |
How to Make a Claim for Lost or Stolen Baggage and Personal Effects
If your baggage or personal effects get stolen or damaged, you must notify us within 24 hours of the loss. You must also report the theft or damage to police, as well as your tour operator representatives, the hotel manager or official transportation representative, and obtain a written report.
When making a claim, you may need to submit documentation such as:
- A letter of coverage or denial from the transportation carrier or other responsible party
- The written report regarding the theft or damage
- Receipts for all lost or stolen articles over $149.99 CAD
Travel and Packing Tips
Nobody wants to deal with things like stolen iPhones or lost luggage, but unexpected things can happen while travelling. These are challenging circumstances, but there are a few essential traveller tips that can help you be proactive, in hopes that you can avoid these situations.
- Consider travelling with a carry-on only. This is the best way to avoid bags getting lost or delayed by your airline.
- If you must check a bag, make sure your medications, glasses, contact lenses and hearing aids are in your carry-on. You won’t want to be without those things and travel insurance for lost or delayed bags won’t cover those items.
- If you need to make a claim for a lost or stolen bag, you’ll need to prove you owned the items you are claiming for, including the clothes in your bag or the electronics in your backpack. The easiest way to do this is to save receipts and take photos of what you are packing prior to leaving on the trip.
- Enable location tracking on your phone, tablet and laptop.
- Leave the flashy jewelry and valuables at home.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for baggage. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
-
Do World Nomads plans include travel insurance for lost or delayed bags?
Yes, all World Nomads plans include travel insurance for lost or delayed bags. When you get a quote, you can compare the coverage and limits in our plans side-by-side to see per-item and maximum limits. You can then see which travel insurance plan is the best for your needs.
-
Does travel insurance include coverage for stolen bags?
If your bags are stolen while you’re travelling, and you didn’t leave them unattended, you may be able to be reimbursed for the depreciated value of certain items that you can prove you owned. Make sure you report the theft to local authorities as soon as it happens though and obtain a written report – you’ll need that documentation. Also, per-item and maximum limits apply, so you’ll want to reference your policy to see how much you may be able to claim. If you have any questions about what you may be able to claim, contact our team.
-
What do I do if the airline loses my bags?
If your airline loses your checked baggage, you’ll need to get them to provide you with written evidence of the loss. Find out how they will compensate you and make sure you get it in writing. After you’ve exhausted reimbursement benefits from your airline or other responsible party, you can submit a claim; travel insurance may cover the depreciated value of lost items (up to the maximum benefit limits and per- item limits shown in your policy). You’ll also need to keep any relevant tickets, luggage check information, receipts and other documentation related to the issue. You’ll need these items if you plan to make a claim.
-
Does travel insurance cover pickpocketing?
Pickpocketing is common in some destinations and is especially prevalent in areas where there are large crowds. While there are things you can do to try to avoid being a victim of pickpocketing, it’s unfortunately happened to some of our nomads. If it happens to you, your travel insurance may cover the cost to replace your stolen items (subject to depreciation). Just make sure you make a report with the local police as soon as it happens and obtain a written report. You will need this documentation if you plan to make a claim.
-
What should I do if my passport is stolen?
If your passport is stolen, or accidentally damaged while you’re travelling, your travel insurance may reimburse you for the cost of a replacement (up to maximum limits as shown in your policy documents).
If you’re travelling outside of Canada, you’re going to need your passport to get back home, so you’ll want to reach out to the Government of Canada’s passport office as soon as possible. You can then start the process of getting an emergency passport. You’ll also need to contact the police and get a written police report about the theft of your passport or other travel documents. Make sure you also contact us to let us know about the loss or theft.
-
Why do my items get depreciated?
Travel insurance is about replacing what was lost, not helping you update your cameras or wardrobe. You may be eligible for reimbursement of the actual cash value (which is the purchase price less any depreciated value) or the cost of replacement. The policy defines depreciated value, making proper allowances for wear and tear based on the age of the item.
-
If my bags are delayed, what may I be reimbursed for?
If your checked-in bags are delayed by your airline or other common carrier for 12 hours or more en route to your destination, your plan may provide reimbursement for necessary personal effects such as essential items like clothing and toiletries, so you're not left wearing the same thing until your bags are found and returned.
Items you can claim reimbursement for if your bags are delayed include things like:
- Underwear
- Socks
- A change of clothes
- Toiletries
If you’re not sure what you can claim, contact our team.
-
Are high value items covered by travel insurance?
If a high-value item has been stolen or damaged, you are able to submit a claim up to the maximum benefit limits applicable to the baggage, personal effects and sporting equipment section of the policy.
Keep in mind that there are some things that we don’t cover at all such as antiques and collectibles, furniture and fragile objects. Always read your plan wording carefully to ensure you have adequate coverage for your needs. Still not sure? Get in touch with us and we can help you figure out what’s best for your circumstance.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
Can I buy a travel insurance policy if I'm already overseas?
Coverage from World Nomads, even if you're already overseas.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
Can I buy a travel insurance policy if I'm already overseas?
- I’m already overseas – can I get travel insurance?
- Are there any special conditions?
- How does a waiting period work?
- Need to extend your policy?
- FAQs
If you're an Australian and you’ve left home without travel insurance or your policy has run out and you’re still on the road, World Nomads may have you covered. With World Nomads, you can buy a travel insurance policy online, anytime, from anywhere in the world.
We know it's easy to forget to buy travel insurance. With World Nomads, you can buy a travel insurance policy even after you've left home (waiting periods apply).
I’m already overseas – can I get travel insurance?
If you forgot to buy a travel insurance policy before you started your trip, are outside Australia without insurance, or your cover has ended but your trip hasn’t, you can buy a World Nomads policy 24/7 online.
Are there any special conditions?
If you buy a travel insurance policy while you’re already travelling, you will need to wait 72 hours after purchasing before your cover will start. This is called a waiting period.
Traveller tip: The 24/7 emergency assistance team is here to help if things go wrong. They can help organise medical transport, payment of hospital bills and assist with medical emergencies.
How does a waiting period work?
- If you buy a travel policy when you're overseas and the policy start date is within 72 hours of issue of your certificate of insurance, you'll need to wait 72 hours for cover to begin.
- If you buy a travel insurance policy when you're overseas and the policy start date is 72 hours or more after the issue of your certificate of insurance, cover for Cancellation or Trip Interruption expenses will begin 72 hours from the time we issue the policy, with all other benefits commencing on your departure date.
Get a quote and buy online 24/7
With World Nomads you can get an instant quote anytime, anywhere, before you leave home or while you’re on the road.
Cover for medical emergencies
While there is a 72-hour waiting period if you purchase your travel insurance after you’ve started travelling, both our Standard and Explorer policies may offer cover for overseas medical expenses and medical evacuation and repatriation after the policy departure date and before the end of the 72-hour waiting period.
If something goes wrong and you suffer a serious injury as the result of an accident, there may be cover for emergency overseas medical and dental expenses, and emergency evacuation and repatriation expenses, without having to wait 72 hours.
All other cover and benefits still begin 72 hours from when your certificate of insurance is issued, and only for events first occurring after the 72-hour waiting period.
Need to extend your policy?
If you’re travelling and decide you want to travel for longer, we can help you stay covered by extending your existing policy for up to 12 months. Simply sign into your World Nomads membership to check eligibility and extend your cover before 11:59pm AEST/AEDT on the return date shown on your certificate of insurance. For more information, read our article on how to extend your cover.
If you have any questions, be sure to check out our comprehensive FAQs or you can also contact us.
- Buy while travelling
- Get cover 24/7 online
- Instant confirmation
- Ongoing traveller support
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance
Waiting periods apply
FAQs
Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying away from home. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
-
Can I buy travel insurance after I’ve already left home?
With World Nomads, you can buy a policy online even if you’re already overseas. Just note that a 72-hour waiting period applies before full cover begins.
-
Can I extend my existing travel insurance policy?
In most cases, yes. You can extend your cover before your current travel insurance policy expires — up to a maximum of 12 months from your start date.
-
Am I covered immediately after I buy?
Not quite. There’s a 72-hour waiting period after you receive your Certificate of Insurance, but certain serious medical emergencies may be covered sooner.
-
What if I’m injured or my stuff is stolen during the waiting period?
You may not be covered for losses during that time (unless it’s a serious medical emergency). Always check your travel insurance policy details before making a claim
-
Should I buy travel insurance before I leave or while on holiday?
Purchasing travel insurance before you travel may provide cover for pre-trip cancellation for a number of insured events, but we can't cover events that occur before you buy your policy.
-
How long does it take to get a copy of my travel insurance?
As soon as the payment goes through, it will be emailed to you or you can access it in your membership.
Left home without travel insurance?
Learn how you can buy your travel insurance policy while traveling anytime from anywhere in the world by watching this video.
The above features and benefits are a summary of cover only. Travel insurance is not designed to cover everything, so take the time to read the full description of cover in the Product Disclosure Statement for the full details on what’s not covered as well as the terms, conditions, limitation, and exclusions.
If you are unsure of anything, please contact us for help.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Have you carked it?
- Have your relos carked it?
- Has a bushfire damaged your home?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need medicine?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up overseas?
- Medivac needed home?
- You died overseas?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Damaged docs?
- Passport pilfered?
- Tech Trashed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact the teamWorldwide 24 hour Emergency Assistance
Wherever you are, we’re there to help!
- As featured in:
As featured in:
Emergency Assistance for New Zealanders
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If it's an emergency, such as a serious injury, sudden illness, an accident or hospitalisation, contact our Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible. Our Emergency Assistance Team are available 24/7, 365 days a year.
From New Zealand & Overseas:
+61 2 8263 0470
+61 2 8292 1470
Within Australia (free call):
1800 611 210
SMS: +61 4 1720 4602
Email: assist@worldnomads.com
Not a kiwi? Find the right Emergency Assistance team:
Be prepared.
So that our Emergency Assistance teams can assist you quickly, please be ready with the following:
- Your policy number
- A contact number for where you are now
- The nature of your problem
- Your location
- Prescribed medication (if any)
How does my travel insurance policy help me in an emergency?
Learn how your travel insurance policy can assist if you're in an emergency situation by watching this video.Bitten by a tick in Colombia
I was bitten by a tick in Sierra Nevada region on my trip in Colombia, and infected by borrelia. A doctor examined me and I have received treatment for borreliose with antibiotics and probiotics. However, as the brain fog and dizziness persisted even during continuing treatment, the emergency assistance team organised medical repatriation as it is not safe for me to travel with these symptoms.
A.B. Norwegian Nomad in Colombia
Emergency Assistance for Canadian Residents
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help
- As featured in:
As featured in:
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help—24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, a cancelled flight, or a natural disaster, they’re the among the first people you’ll want to call. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Medical Emergency Email: medicalsp@travelguard.com
For non-medical emergency assistance or customer services inquiries, please contact:
Phone: +1 877 328 2528 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Non-medical emergencies or customer service Email: infoCAN@worldnomads.com
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
Emergency Assistance for U.S. Residents
Wherever you are, we’re there to help!
- As featured in:
As featured in:
For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
Emergency Assistance for U.S. Residents
If you get hurt or sick while on vacation, contact local authorities as soon as you’re able to do so for immediate attention.
If you are currently experiencing an emergency while on your trip, contact the non-insurance 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team at your earliest opportunity. The team may be able to help arrange emergency evacuations, offer translation assistance or get you to a suitable medical facility depending upon your individual situation and the coverage provided by your plan.
Telephone: +1-877-289-0968 (toll free within the US and Canada)
Telephone: +1-954-334-8143 (Collect worldwide)
Email: ops@gga-usa.com
Not from the U.S? Find the right Emergency Assistance team:
Be prepared.
The Emergency Assistance team will want to quickly assist you, so please be ready with the following:
- Your plan number (if you have it on you)
- A contact number for where you are now
- The nature of your problem
- Your location
- Prescribed medication (if any)
Bitten by a tick in Colombia
I was bitten by a tick in Sierra Nevada region on my trip in Colombia, and infected by borrelia. A doctor examined me and I have received treatment for borreliose with antibiotics and probiotics. However, as the brain fog and dizziness persisted even during continuing treatment, the emergency assistance team organised medical repatriation as it is not safe for me to travel with these symptoms.
A.B. Norwegian Nomad in Colombia.
