Baggage Insurance

Lost or Delayed Baggage? A Travel Insurance With Baggage Cover is for You!

In today's fast-paced world of international and domestic travel, losing your luggage can throw your entire journey off balance. Whether it's a delay in receiving your bags, damage during transit, or permanent loss, the inconvenience and financial strain it causes are often underestimated.

In such cases, having travel insurance with baggage cover can prove to be quite helpful. Designed to protect travellers from unforeseen baggage-related issues, this insurance ensures you're compensated for delays, losses, or damage to your belongings, helping you stay focused on your trip, not your missing suitcase.

What is Baggage Cover in Travel Insurance?

Baggage Cover is a specialised form of travel insurance that offers financial compensation and assistance in the event your luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged during transit. This includes not only your checked-in bags but also personal belongings that may get misplaced or mishandled by the airline or transport authority. Depending on your chosen plan, it may cover:

• Checked-in baggage loss due to mishandling by airlines
• Baggage delays that exceed a specific time window
• Damage to luggage during transit
• Loss of personal items inside the baggage
• Essential purchases made while waiting for delayed luggage

You do not need to purchase the travel luggage insurance only, as such coverage is often part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan, but can also be purchased as a dedicated add-on for those who travel frequently or carry valuable belongings.

How Does Baggage Cover in Travel Insurance Work?

Understanding how travel and baggage insurance work makes it easier to know when and how to claim compensation. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

1. Coverage Begins when Your Trip Starts
   Once you begin your journey and check in your luggage with an airline or transport provider, the travel luggage insurance coverage kicks in. The policy remains valid throughout your trip, covering multiple legs and return journeys if specified.
2. Baggage is Lost, Delayed, or Damaged?
   If your checked-in baggage is delayed beyond the minimum policy threshold (e.g., 6 hours), or if it’s lost or damaged during transit, you can become eligible for compensation under either travel insurance damaged luggage or baggage delay travel insurance.
3. File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR)
   In case of any baggage issue, the first step is to report the problem to the airline and obtain a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), which acts as proof of baggage mishandling.
4. Initiate a Claim
   Submit a travel insurance baggage delay claim through your insurer’s website, mobile app, or helpline. To initiate a successful claim, you’ll need:
   • A copy of the PIR
   • Boarding pass or flight ticket
   • Policy details
   • List of lost/damaged items with receipts (if applicable)
   • Receipts for essentials (in case of delay)
5. Compensation is Processed
   Based on the insurer's terms, you’ll receive either a fixed amount (for delays) or a reimbursement (for lost/damaged items). Compensation may be calculated using factors like the value of lost items, receipts provided, and policy limits.

Key Features and Benefits of Baggage Cover

Here are some key features that make MakeMyTrip’s travel insurance with baggage cover an excellent choice for all kinds of travellers:

Fixed Payout for Baggage Loss: Receive a pre-decided lump sum if your checked-in baggage is permanently lost by the airline, helping you recover quickly without complex itemised valuations.

Quick and Seamless Claims Process: Claim your benefit digitally within a few minutes, often with minimal paperwork.

Global Coverage on International Routes: Whether you're flying to the US, Europe, or Southeast Asia, you’re covered for losses during your international journey.

Minimal Cost, Maximum Assurance: Get comprehensive coverage for lost luggage at a nominal premium, making it ideal for budget-conscious travellers.

Real-Time Support: Access chat or phone-based support for filing claims, retrieving documents, or resolving queries instantly, with no need to chase paperwork.

Reimbursement for Essentials (in Delay Cases): If your bag is delayed beyond a specific time, get reimbursed for essentials like toiletries or basic clothing.

Trusted by Frequent Flyers: With rising cases of baggage loss, this cover gives added confidence to international travellers, whether for leisure, work, or family visits.

Peace of Mind from Departure to Arrival: You can now focus on your travel experience, not the whereabouts of your suitcase.

Different Types of Baggage Covers You Can Opt for With Your Travel Insurance

Depending on the situation and policy terms, baggage cover may offer the following types of benefits:

Checked-In Baggage Loss: Compensation for the total or partial loss of your checked-in bags due to mishandling by the airline or transport carrier.

Baggage Delay: Payout for the delayed arrival of baggage beyond a specified time, allowing you to purchase essentials during the wait.

Loss of Personal Belongings: Reimbursement for essential personal items (clothes, electronics, toiletries, etc.) that were lost along with the baggage.

Theft During Transit: Limited coverage in case baggage is tampered with or stolen while being handled by a third party.

Essential Purchase Reimbursement: If your bags are delayed, a travel insurance delayed baggage cover will reimburse reasonable expenses such as clothing or toiletries bought during the wait.

Top 5 Countries where Travel Insurance with Baggage Cover is a Must

While baggage mishandling can occur anywhere, these five countries are especially known for busy airports and increased chances of lost or delayed luggage, making travel insurance with a baggage cover particularly important for international travel:

1. United States of America
   With large hubs like JFK, LAX, and Atlanta processing millions of bags daily, luggage delays and mishandling incidents are quite common. With a baggage only travel insurance, you can ensure you're not left stranded without your essentials.
2. United Kingdom
   Airports like Heathrow and Gatwick face frequent congestion, especially during peak travel seasons. A travel insurance delay baggage cover helps you with lost or delayed baggage costs without adding stress to your trip.
3. France
   Paris Charles de Gaulle is a major international hub with a reputation for complex baggage handling systems. Travel insurance lost baggage coverage becomes essential when transiting through or visiting France.
4. Canada
   Especially in winter, adverse weather can disrupt airport operations in cities like Toronto or Vancouver. Baggage delays are not uncommon during this season, making coverage vital.
5. Germany
   Germany’s major airports handle numerous connecting international flights, which increases the risk of bags being rerouted or delayed. Travel insurance with baggage cover helps offset costs while you wait for resolution.

Baggage Cover Inclusions & Exclusions

To understand your travel insurance baggage cover better, it’s important to know what’s included and what’s not to avoid any last-minute surprises.

Inclusions:

• Loss of checked-in baggage by the airline
• Baggage delays beyond policy threshold (e.g., 6 hours)
• Physical damage to luggage during air transit
• Reimbursement for essentials (toiletries, clothes) due to baggage delay
• Loss of personal belongings inside the baggage (as per policy)
• Theft or tampering during transit (limited coverage in some plans)

Exclusions:

• Delay less than the policy-specified wait period
• Loss due to unattended baggage or negligence
• Items not reported in the airline’s Property Irregularity Report (PIR)
• Damage due to wear and tear or poor packing
• Electronic devices, cash, or jewellery (unless specifically covered)
• Missing supporting documents during claims

How to Buy Travel Insurance in India

On MakeMyTrip, baggage cover comes included with all travel insurance plans, making the process simple and transparent. Here’s how to purchase it:

1. Firstly, visit the official MakeMyTrip website or mobile app.
2. Then navigate to the Travel Insurance section.
3. Enter your destination country and travel dates.
4. Compare multiple plan options from trusted insurance partners, all of which include baggage cover.
5. Choose the best single trip travel insurance based on pricing, terms, and your needs..
6. Lastly, make a secure online payment to complete the purchase.

Tips to Make a Successful Baggage Cover Claim in India

To improve the chances of a hassle-free and successful claim:

• Report the issue immediately at the airport and collect a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) from the airline.
• Retain all boarding passes and baggage tags, as they are required during claim submission.
• Document all purchases made due to baggage delay—keep receipts safely.
• List and declare valuable items at the time of travel (if policy requires it) to ensure smooth processing.
• Submit the claim on time, as many insurers have a limited claim window (usually within 30 days of the incident).