One thing that can mess up your vacation plans is having the airlines lose or delay your luggage. But did you know that there are multiple ways that you may be protected from this ruining your entire vacation? Even if you did not specifically opt to purchase travel insurance, it may be included as a part of your vacation package or it may be included as a benefit from your credit card. Additionally, there are Federal and International laws that impose certain obligations on the part of the airlines that can work to your benefit. Arming yourself with the knowledge of your benefits and your rights can keep a luggage mishap to an inconvenience versus a total disaster.
What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
Depending upon what type of travel insurance you have, travel Insurance may cover medical emergencies and evacuations, trip delays and cancellations, missed connecting flights, and lost, stolen, and damaged luggage. It is important here to note that most travel insurance will not provide coverage for merely delayed luggage. It will, however, cover your replacement cost up to whatever the maximum limit allowed by the policy if it is lost, stolen, or damaged. You also need to be aware that this may be as little as $250.00 or $500.00 so you need to check your policy.
What if I Didn’t Buy Travel Insurance?
If you think you do not have travel insurance, check again. Many people have travel insurance and don’t even realize it. If you booked through a travel agency, some of them require it to protect their investment in setting up your vacation. It is worthwhile to put in a call and ask them if they included any type of travel insurance that would extend to covering your lost or damaged luggage. Additionally, Many credit cards provide travel insurance up to a set allowance if you purchase your tickets through them. What coverage is included will depend upon your credit card and the travel insurance policy.
Federal and International Laws Regarding Lost or Delayed Luggage
Many people do not know this, but federal law states that the airlines have an obligation to find and deliver lost luggage timely to your destination. When they fail to do so you are entitled to compensation for reasonable incidental expenses you incur because of your delayed baggage. That means that you can go out and replace the things you need and submit the expenses to the airlines for reimbursement.
Maximum Limits Under the Law
According to the United States Department of Transportation, for flights in the United States, the airlines must reimburse you for reasonable expenses due to their luggage loss or delay up to$3,800.00. Furthermore, federal law does not allow them to set arbitrary limits on how much they reimburse. International Flights, however, are governed by the Montreal Convention. Article 17 of the Montreal Convention sets liability on international flights at $1,730.00 per passenger. However, they are only responsible for paying up to this amount if they admit they lost it and they cannot locate your luggage and return it to you within 21 days from the date it was supposed to have arrived.
Final Considerations When the Airline Loses Your Luggage
Travel insurance can help you replace lost, stolen, or damaged luggage on a trip when the airline loses your luggage. It will not help you out in the event of a mere delay. Federal and International laws can help you get reimbursed by the airlines for reasonable incidental expenses of replacing your luggage on your trip, however, you need to be aware of the limits they are required to pay. You can file under both travel insurance and submit receipts for reimbursement to the airline, thus, the more coverage you have, the better. Before you travel, read the small print on your credit card disclosures and review your vacation package to see what options you have so that you know what your spending limits may be if you have to replace your luggage and you want it to get reimbursed.
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