Luggage insurance: how can I protect my suitcase?
If your luggage goes missing, luggage insurance can help. Keep reading to find out how to insure your suitcases.
03.07.2024
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1. Luggage insurance: who can I take it out with?
You can take out luggage insurance for your trip through the following:
Credit card
In addition to theft, loss and damage to your luggage may be insured depending on your insurer. Damage or loss you cause yourself is only partially covered.
Is your checked-in baggage damaged or missing? If so, the airline assumes liability. This is for the entire period between check-in and baggage retrieval. An exception is when the damage is caused by improperly packed or defective luggage.
You must report damaged baggage to the airline within seven days. In the event of delayed baggage, you have 21 days to report the loss. After that, the luggage is considered lost.
When claiming, you will receive at most around 1,550 francs from the airline (as of 3 July 2024). If the damage was intentional or caused through gross negligence on the part of the airline, this limit does not apply.
Home contents insurance: supplemental luggage insurance
You can often include supplemental luggage insurance in your home contents insurance policy. The supplement costs from 20 francs per year, depending on the insurer There may also be a coinsurance portion.
Luggage theft is often also covered by the supplemental insurance for simple theft away from home. With supplemental travel insurance the insurer will pay an immediate advance payment for essential items, such as hygiene products.
Luggage insurance with credit cards
Some credit cards offer travel insurance including luggage insurance. This is usually the case with premium credit cards. For other cards, you can add this cover for an additional price.
Insurance is often tied to paying for the trip with the card. Some insurers only insure checked baggage. Contact your provider for more information. This way, you avoid double insurance.
Insuring luggage with travel insurance
If you have travel insurance, check your policy. Some policies already include luggage. Other insurance companies offer an additional supplemental insurance. This applies to both annual and individual travel insurance.
The price for luggage insurance depends on the provider. It’s best to compare different deals. How to find the right travel insurance for you.
Luggage insurance and travel insurance: the differences
With travel insurance, you protect yourself financially if your trip is cancelled. Depending on the policy, travel insurance also covers:
Medical expenses
Return transport in the event of illness or accident
Roadside assistance
Luggage insurance is additional coverage within travel insurance.
2. Tips on making a claim
Report the incident to your insurer immediately – don't wait until you get home from the holiday. Tip: many insurance companies have an online form for reporting the basic details of the incident as a first step.
Was the luggage stolen? Report the incident to the local police immediately. If your luggage was stolen, your insurer will require a police report.
The insurance claim form is compulsory. You can usually find it on their website as a download.
Keep the receipts of items you bought at your destination. This way you can give the insurance company a list of costs.
Once you have returned, send the original receipts for the stolen items to the insurance company. Not possible? The insurance company will work out the costs themselves.
3. Summary: is it worth taking out luggage insurance?
Where and whether you should insure your luggage depends on which insurance policies you have already taken out. Check whether you have already taken out luggage insurance.
Is luggage insurance not included in another insurance policy? Then it’s worth it, depending on the type of trip. When it comes to flights, it’s less worthwhile. For trips where the provider doesn’t offer cover, luggage insurance can be worth it.
Insurance exclusions
Valuables like jewellery or expensive photography equipment are not usually considered luggage or will quickly exceed the sum insured anyway. Insure these separately. Carry expensive items in hand luggage and not in a large suitcase.
This article was first published on 17.01.2022
