MISSING LUGGAGE NIGHTMARES
Missing Luggage Nightmares
Most travellers will experience the inconvenience of lost luggage at some time or another. In fact, an average of over 15 in every 1,000 airline passengers is forced to start their holidays without their suitcases.
Although in most cases your luggage will be returned to you eventually, there are times when luggage disappears completely. In these cases airline companies will usually offer their passengers a flat rate compensation payment based on the weight of their luggage. Note that this is based on the weight of, and not the value of, your belongings. Some travel insurance companies now offer to cover the full value of your belongings should they go missing while you are travelling. Look out for this option when looking for a travel insurance policy (try Go Travel Insurance for a quote on travel insurance).
It goes without saying that lost luggage is a travel nightmare that all of us are keen to avoid. Although you cannot guarantee that you won’t be one of the unfortunates, there are a few things that you can do to decrease your chances of losing your well-packed luggage.
Two of the simplest things to do are to make sure that your luggage is labelled clearly and securely and that your cases are securely closed and locked. These are simple checks to make, but a surprising number of items go missing when cases are not securely closed.
Another idea is to keep an inventory of everything you pack, as you pack them, including their value. And you could also take a quick photo of your bags and contents as proof, should you need to make an insurance claim later.
When packing your carry-on bag, always pack a few basics that will be of use should your luggage go missing. As well as valuable items like jewellery, you could include cosmetics, personal care items and medications, which can be costly to replace. And try to include a lightweight outfit or two so that you at least have a change of clothes in the event of a luggage mishap.
Lastly, if you suspect your luggage is missing upon your arrival, try to locate a baggage agent immediately so that they can begin to process your claim as soon as possible. Almost all airlines require that an insurance claim for missing luggage must be filed within 24 hours, so do not delay.