You finally reach your destination after a long and tiring journey – only to discover that your suitcase didn't make it. Is it just late, is it broken or might it never turn up at all? In all of those scenarios, it helps to have luggage insurance. We explain the four key points with regard to this useful addition to your insurance cover.
Guide
Luggage insurance. The four key points.
What benefits does luggage insurance offer?
Really, luggage insurance belongs in every suitcase. For a small amount of money, it offers a whole series of advantages – starting with financial protection for your luggage when you are travelling:
- If your luggage is damaged or destroyed during your journey, the insurance covers the cost of replacing the items in it at replacement value.
- If your luggage is delayed, the insurance covers the costs of replacement clothing and other necessary purchases.
- Knowing that you don't have to worry about your luggage means you can enjoy your holiday in peace of mind. Isn't that the biggest benefit of all?
GOOD TO KNOW
Which other insurance policies and items should you take with you on your travels? We have put together a practical travel checklist. Leave your worries at home and be sure that you haven't forgotten anything – except the pressures of everyday life.
What does luggage insurance cover?
Rucksack, suitcase, golf equipment – in principle, travel insurance covers all luggage items that you take with you on journeys for your own use. Specifically, that means:
- Your personal luggage (hand baggage and checked-in items) and the things that you need during the journey (e.g. headphones, iPad)
- Souvenirs and gifts that you buy on your travels
- Musical instruments that you take with you
- Sports equipment such as golf or ski bags (not during use)
The insurance covers, for example, theft, loss and damage and the late arrival of these luggage items – depending on which additional components you have taken out.
GOOD TO KNOW
Certain items are excluded from luggage insurance, such as jewellery and professional tools and equipment. Would you like to have separate cover for these or other favourite items? Then it's worth taking out single-item insurance.
How can I take out luggage insurance?
Luggage insurance isn't a separate policy – it is an additional component. You can take out luggage insurance either via your travel insurance or via your household contents insurance.
Have travel or household contents insurance from ELVIA and aren't sure whether your luggage is also covered? Then simply log into the customer portal and check your contracts. Alternatively, you can also contact our customer service.
GOOD TO KNOW
Luggage insurance must be taken out before you set off on your journey. A stay of at least one day away from your place of residence counts as a journey, for example.
« The biggest benefit of luggage insurance is being able to enjoy your holidays with peace of mind. »
What should I do if my luggage is lost?
Every now and then, a luggage item doesn't arrive at its intended destination. An annoying situation, of course, but with luggage insurance it isn't all that bad. If this happens to you, you should stay calm and document everything as precisely as possible:
- Report the loss of your luggage to the travel or transport company. If you travelled by plane, contact the lost and found desk.
- Report the reference number and the claim immediately to your insurer – online, by telephone or by e-mail.
- If you need to buy things like toiletries and clothes in the meantime, keep the receipts or take photos of them.
- If the luggage arrives in a damaged state, document the damage – ideally with photos.
- In the event that the luggage doesn't turn up at all, make a list of the contents that is as complete as possible and submit this to your insurer.
- If your luggage has been stolen, you must file a report with the police. Ideally you should do this directly at your holiday destination or, failing that, when you get home.
Conclusion
- Luggage insurance is a useful, low-cost addition to your insurance cover and can be taken out either via your household contents policy or via your travel insurance.
- It covers the cost of your possessions when you are travelling and ensures that you can buy the most important things you need at your holiday destination if your luggage arrives late.
- Alongside luggage, personal souvenirs, sports equipment and musical instruments are also insured.
- For particularly valuable items such as jewellery or other favourite objects, the ideal solution is single-item insurance.
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