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  1. World Nomads
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  5. Delayed Baggage

Travel Insurance for Delayed Baggage

Learn how travel insurance could help if your luggage misses your flight

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At a Glance: Delayed Baggage Travel Insurance

  • If your baggage is delayed during your trip, travel insurance may help cover the cost of essential items such as clothing and toiletries, subject to policy terms and benefit limits.
  • Report delayed luggage to your airline, train, or transport carrier immediately and request a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) or official delay report.
  • Keep all receipts for essential purchases, as you'll need them to support any travel insurance claim.
  • Cover for delayed baggage generally applies only while you are travelling and not once you have returned to your country of residence.
  • Only reasonably necessary items are covered while you wait for your luggage. Luxury purchases and non-essential items are typically excluded.

The excitement of traveling overseas for a long-awaited holiday can quickly turn into frustration and anxiety when you arrive at your destination, but your luggage doesn’t. It can be stressful standing at the conveyer belt waiting for your luggage to appear, when the last bag finally comes out and it’s not yours, but our guide can help you work out what to do next.  

What's covered by travel insurance if my bags are delayed?

If your baggage is delayed more than 12 hours our policies cover the cost of:

  • Clothing
  • Toiletries

It's important to remember that there are benefit limits that apply. 

What's not covered

If your bags arrive less than 24 hours before they were supposed to you won’t be able to claim any expenses back.  We also won’t cover:

  • The rental or purchase of sports equipment if your sports equipment is delayed by the carrier
  • Indirect losses, such as administrative or transport costs involved in collecting the baggage or Lost opportunities due to not having your baggage
  • Any items that aren’t considered ‘essential’.  That means no Gucci leather jackets!
  • The purchase of essential items if your bags are delayed on the way home, as its expected you’ve got other clothes to wear once you return home.
  • Loss, theft or damage to the extent you’re entitled to compensation from the carrier, other service provider or anyone else.

What to do if your luggage is delayed

1. Report the delay to your carrier immediately

Once you realise your baggage has been delayed, speak with a representative from your carrier (usually your airline) to report the delay. Ask them for a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) or another official document. The report should state the reason for the delay as well as the date and time that your luggage is estimated to arrive. You will need this report to support any claims. Ask the carrier for some financial assistance to help you buy some everyday items such as toothpaste, deodorant or new underwear while you wait for your bags. If they refuse your request, then ask them to put the reason for their denial in writing to you. You must include this letter or report with your other documentation when submitting any claims for essential items.

2. Obtain receipts for any purchases

If you need to buy a few essentials to make life more comfortable until your bags arrive, then you’ll need to keep copies of your receipts should you wish to claim for these expenses. Cover for essential items is only offered to travelers whose luggage is delayed for at least 24 hours after their scheduled arrival. Only receipts showing a date and time which is at least 24 hours after your scheduled arrival, and before the delivery time of your luggage, will be covered.

A few points to consider if you wish to claim for essential items

Before you rush out to buy this season’s must-haves, keep in mind that only reasonably necessary items may be covered under our policies. These are items to help you stay clean, fresh, and comfortable until your baggage is returned to you. Some examples of reasonably necessary items could include:

  • Toiletries
  • New underwear

Note: There is no cover for essential items if your luggage is delayed on your return journey to Country of Residence.

Both our Standard and Explorer plans have different maximum limits of cover for delayed baggage. Please read through your Policy Wording to make sure you’re aware of the limits, benefits and terms and conditions, and exclusions that relate to your policy. If you have questions about what's covered and not covered, just ask us.

3. Obtain a final report

Once your bags are returned to you, ask your carrier for another report stating the reason for the delay, the length of the delay, as well as the date and time the luggage was returned to you.

What do I do if my bags don’t arrive?

First step is to speak to your carrier – the airline, train or bas carrier who was responsible for transporting you. You need to make a report and get back from them a Property Irregularity Report or similar official statement including certain details – see How to Make a Claim for more information. 

If after 24 hours your bags are still delayed, you can then look at purchasing essential replacement toiletries and clothing to tide you over.

Benefit limits apply so this isn’t a green light to buy the latest Gucci leather jacket you’ve been hankering after. 

There is also a maximum benefit limit for each 24 hours your baggage is missing and if it’s never located, any claims paid will be deducted from any successful lost baggage claim you subsequently make. 

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FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for delayed baggage. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask the customer service team.

  • What supporting documents do you need?
    You’ll need a Property Irregularity Report (‘PIR’) from the carrier confirming the delay and any compensation they provided to you or offered to you, your receipts and a copy of your itinerary.
  • What can I claim?
    Expenses for necessary and essential items like clothing, toiletries and medications. Please note, all expenses must be reasonable and necessary supported by receipts dated prior to the delivery of your delayed baggage and after 24 hours from your arrival.
  • How much can I claim?
    Total benefit limits will vary depending on what travel insurance plan you buy (the Standard Plan or Explorer Plan). For Standard Plan: USD$150 per 24 hours for each person insured up to 3 days. USD$450 total claim per person insured. For Explorer Plan: USD$150 per 24 hours for each person insured up to 5 days. USD$750 total claim per person insured. Any baggage claim submitted will have the policy excess applied per person, per claimable event.

There may be specific terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that apply depending on what you'll be doing. Of course, always read the full terms, conditions limitations and exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement you choose so there’ll be no surprises if you need to use it. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation before you leave home.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $10,000
  • Standard Plan: USD $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalized?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Overseas Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling overseas.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited, up to 12 months
  • Standard Plan: USD $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

We'll get you to hospital quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $500,000
  • Standard Plan: USD $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medevac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $3,500
  • Standard Plan: USD $2,500
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • 24 hour Emergency Assistance
  • Emergency Medical Transport
  • Repatriation & Travel Expenses
  • Pre-Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Resumption of Trip
  • Travel Delay
  • Missed connection (Explorer)
  • Hijacking (Explorer)
  • Baggage & Personal Items
  • Passport & Travel Documents
  • Personal Liability
  • Rental vehicle insurance excess (Explorer)
  • Personal accident (Explorer)
*This is a general summary for all residents except from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Brazil, China and Philippines. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.