In previous blogs I’ve written about the horror of experiencing lost luggage (it’s been a record year for lost bags), but I have neglected to detail what recourse you have should an airline misplace your baggage.
As I noted above, 2007 has been a terrible year for baggage handling across the board. According to travel experts, more than 3.5 million travelers suffered luggage problems in just the first 9 months of the year. Bags were lost, damaged, temporarily misplaced, and in some cases the contents of some pieces of luggage were stolen by airport employees.
Making matter worse is the fact that even when airlines claim responsibility for luggage mishaps that doesn’t mean you’ll get a replacement. Most carriers pay up to $3000 for lost items. But in order for you to see a dime’s worth of your lost items you need receipts… and even then, you only get fair market value.
What’s more, many personal items aren’t covered at all. Airlines have a laundry list of items that they don’t cover, including jewelry, cameras, cell phones, handheld video games, strollers, and a litany of other “fragile” items.
According to travel experts, the best way to protect yourself is to pack wisely. Don’t place expensive or fragile items in your checked bags. Also, examine your credit card benefits. Some credit card companies will assist with reimbursements if your luggage is lost, or even delayed. Travel experts say it’s a good idea to book your trip with the card that offers the best assistance policy.
In addition, take a look at your homeowner’s policy. It may also kick in for items airlines list as “exempt.” You could also consider buying luggage insurance, especially if you are planning to travel long distances with expensive items in your bag.
Though, regardless of what kind of protection you choose, be prepared to wait for the benefits to kick in. Before you are reimbursed in any fashion the airline has to assess your claim and declare that your bags are indeed lost. Then, they go through your receipts and various other forms of documentation before providing any type of compensation.
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