Direct Travel – A guide to Baggage cover

What is baggage cover?

Baggage cover is standard with most travel policies and will cover you in the event your baggage is stolen, lost or damaged.

Claiming for lost or damaged luggage is one of the most common reasons why we would make a claim on our travel insurance policy.

Remember to check your policy to ensure you have adequate cover, typically travel policies cover between £1,500 and £3,000 per person.

Are there any exclusions or limits to what is covered under Baggage?

There a number of exclusions that apply to baggage cover so do check your policy wording for full terms and conditions. Here are a few of the most common to be aware of:

• Mobile phones are often excluded from cover.
• Spectacles, Contact lenses and Dentures.
• If your baggage is left unattended at any time.
• Reporting the loss or theft of your property to the police, making sure a crime reference number is obtained. Sometimes there are time limits of 24 hours so make sure you report the loss as soon as you are aware of it.
• Check single item limits as although the total amount covered maybe over £1,000 often the Single article limit is a lot lower so if you do have an expensive item of clothing or equipment make sure you have sufficient cover and upgrade your policy where necessary before you travel.
• Valuables and electronic equipment are often excluded from cover in particular when placed in the hold of the aircraft.
• If your luggage goes missing whilst in the care of the airline ensure this is reported and a written document received to this effect. Time restrictions are often given to obtain this information so always report this directly to the airline as soon as you are aware that your belongings have gone astray.

Am I covered if my cash is lost or stolen whilst travelling?

Most travel insurance policies include a small amount of cover for the loss or theft of personal money as standard but typically you will only be covered for £150 to £300 per person. The limit is often lower for children so remember to check your policy wording for full terms and conditions.

Remember any loss will need to be reported to the police within 24 hours and a crime reference number obtained.

What to do if you have lost your passport whilst travelling?

Remember not to panic every year thousands of British travellers lose their passport whilst abroad. It can be a very stressful time but don’t worry you can organise emergency travel documents by following our handy tips:

• The first step is to report the loss or theft of your passport to the policy and obtain a police report. This needs to be done within 24 hours of you discovering the loss.
• Contact your nearest British Embassy a list of which you can find by visiting the FCDO website.
• You will need to complete a LS01 form this can be found online or by visiting the embassy.
• Remember to follow the guidelines carefully to ensure the form is completed correctly.
• It will cost £100 to apply for an emergency travel document full details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document/how-to-apply.
• The ETD or Emergency travel document should take less than a day to come through and will allow continue your journey acting as a temporary replacement to your passport.
• Once you return back to the UK you will need to apply for a new passport as soon as possible.
• Also remember to check your policy documents as often the loss or theft of your passport will be covered under your travel policy so you should be able to recoup the cost of any replacement subject to the deduction of your policy excess.

Will any exclusions apply to the loss of Personal money?

• Make sure you can substantiate any claim by keeping hold of your receipts for your foreign currency and cash.
• If your cash is left unattended at any time this will not be covered this will include if it is put in a suitcase and left in the hold of an aircraft.
• Failure to report the loss to the police within 24 hours and obtaining a valid crime reference.
• You must take ‘reasonable care’ of your belongings including your cash. Do make sure you do not leave your handbag or wallet on display in the seat of a vehicle, as the likely hood of a theft would be much higher and would probably result in any claim being declined.

What can I do to keep my Baggage safe whilst travelling?

• Always carry your money, credit cards, passport and mobile phone on your person preferably in a money belt. Then if you did fall asleep hopefully you would wake up if someone tried to steal from you.
• Any high value items such as jewellery etc should always be kept in your hand luggage and never left unattended at any time.
• Locking your suitcase with a small padlock will reduce the chance of someone trying to force it open whilst in transit.
• Tracking devices are available to buy which would allow you to track your luggage if the worst happens and it goes missing in transit.
• It is a good idea if not travelling alone to divide your belongings across your luggage this will ensure if one suitcase doesn’t arrive at your destination or gets delayed you both would have clothes to wear the other end.
• Finally, to help recognize your suitcase from the thousands coming through on the conveyor belt a brightly coloured luggage strap will help identify your case and avoid someone from accidentally picking up the wrong case.

If you are yet to purchase your travel insurance, here at Direct travel we like to make the process as simple as possible so why not click here to Get a quote today. Alternatively, our friendly team are here 7 days a week and are available to talk you through your quote and answer any further questions on the cover we offer, you can reach them on 0330 880 3600.