Loss of Checked-In Baggage

Whenever you travel, there is always a fear about your checked-in baggage getting misplaced or lost. This might happen with a longer route to your destination, where your baggage might get flown in a different flight. If you have a checked-in baggage loss cover with your travel insurance policy, you can get coverage for any losses caused due to baggage loss.

What Should I Do in Case My Checked-in Baggage Gets Lost?

If you find that your luggage is missing, you should do following things:

The first thing that you must do is to file a complaint. A traveller needs to file a passenger irregularity report (PIR) at the airline's desk available at the airport. Along with the detailed luggage description, a traveller needs to fill up the local address and contact information.
Don't forget to get your claim number and a copy of the missing baggage report.
You can track the missing luggage's status on the airline's website by mentioning the claim number.
If you have a loss of checked-in baggage cover under HDFC ERGO travel insurance policy, then you should also intimate claim to travelclaims@hdfcergo.com or call on Global Toll-Free No: +800 08250825
Once the report is filed, the airline is supposed to trace your luggage and have it delivered at your address. If the airline cannot find your luggage within 21 days, it is considered as a lost item.
In such cases, a passenger has to make a new claim with the airline, mentioning all the lost items and their prices along with the purchase dates.

What Causes a Checked-in Baggage to be Lost

Here are following ways by which your checked-in baggage can be lost:

Damage to routing label

When you check your bag, it gets tagged with a routing label. There are high chances of it getting snagged and torn off from your bag shortly after being tagged.

The attendant types in the wrong destination code

There might be a possibility that while handing over your luggage, the bag-check attendant accidentally inputs the wrong destination code.

Your baggage gets on the wrong flight

There is a possibility of human error, where an airport employee can place your luggage on the wrong baggage cart, which gets loaded onto the wrong plane.

What is the advantage of having Checked-in Baggage Loss Cover in Travel Insurance?

With checked-in baggage loss cover, you can have the following benefits:

The insured person can get coverage for total or partial loss of checked-in baggage.
You can also be entitled to compensation for loss of any damage incurred to goods and articles inside the baggage during the luggage check-in.
You can travel stress-free without worrying much about your baggage being lost during the journey. However, it is advisable to not put cash, currency notes, traveller's cheques, debit/credit cards and jewellery in your luggage, as you will not get coverage for these items if it gets lost.

Inclusions under Checked Baggage Loss Cover in Travel Insurance

With checked-in baggage loss cover, the insured person can get coverage for total or partial loss of checked-in baggage as well as losses for any damage incurred to goods and articles inside the baggage during the luggage check-in.

Example: If Mr A travels to Switzerland and his luggage gets lost. In that case, he will get the expenses for financial losses incurred due to the loss of goods up to the amount mentioned in the policy.

If Ms Y is travelling to France and her goods get damaged during luggage check-in, she can get coverage for the losses incurred if she has a travel insurance policy with checked baggage loss cover.

Exclusions under Checked Baggage Loss Cover in Travel Insurance

No coverage is provided for loss of baggage or other essential items that are not checked-in with the airline
Insurer will not provide coverage for baggage loss if the luggage consists of cash, currency notes, travellers cheques, debit/credit cards, jewellery etc.
Any payments made under the Baggage Delay Section are not covered.

How to Claim Travel Insurance?

The claims process of HDFC ERGO travel insurance is straightforward. You can place a claim on your travel insurance online on cashless as well on a reimbursement basis.

Cashless Claim
Reimbursement Claim

1

Intimation

Intimate claim to travelclaims@hdfcergo.com and get a list of network hospitals from TPA.

2

Checklist

Medical.services@allianz.com will share documents required for cashless claims.

3

Mail Documents

Download the digital claim form from here

4

Processing

Send digital claim form to medical.services@allianz.com along with ROMIF.

1

Intimation

Intimate claim to travelclaims@hdfcergo.com or call on Global Toll-Free No : +800 08250825

2

Checklist

Travelclaims@hdfcergo.com will share the checklist/documents required for reimbursement

3

Mail Documents

Claim documents along with claim form to be sent to travelclaims@hdfcergo.com or processing@hdfergo.com

3

Processing

Claim is registered by HDFC ERGO call centre executive on respective claims system.

Documents Required for Claiming Compensation for Loss of Checked-in Baggage

Claim form (describe the loss in section D is mandatory) duly completed and signed by the Insured.
Baggage loss/damage report or letter from airlines or any other document from airlines confirming the loss of items.
Insured’s Indian bank cancelled cheque copy or bank account statement with A/c No, A/c holder name, branch name and IFSC code.
Passport with Exit and Entry Stamp or Boarding Pass.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Travel Insurance

1. Are checked-in baggage and cabin baggage the same? Will I get coverage for both?

Checked-in baggage is the baggage you submit to the airline authority, whereas cabin baggage is the one you carry inside the cabin. You are responsible for taking care of the belonging you carry with you inside the cabin. Therefore, you will only get coverage for checked-in baggage loss/delays, where you will be compensated for essential items that are checked in with the airline.

2. Will I be compensated for the loss of luggage having items like jewellery or credit cards under checked-in baggage loss cover?

You will not get any compensation under checked-in baggage loss cover if your luggage consists of jewellery, credit card or debit card, traveller cheques and expensive electronic gadgets.

3. What is the Difference between Check-in Baggage and Cabin Baggage?

Carry-on bags, also known as cabin baggage, are luggage items taken into the plane's cabin. They are not checked in before your flight; you can keep them in the overhead storage compartment above your seat. On the other hand, checked-in baggage is baggage stored in the plane's cargo section, away from the passengers.

4. What Is Covered Under Check-In Baggage Insurance Policy?

With checked-in baggage loss cover, the insured person is entitled for total or partial loss of checked-in baggage as well as losses for any damage incurred to goods and articles inside the baggage during the luggage check-in.

5. If I Deliver a Part of My Baggage Before the Date of My Return to the Home Country and it Gets Misplaced or Lost on the Way, Will I Eligible For the Compensation for the Same?

If your baggage reach before you arrive to your home country, it will be unloaded and retained by the airline. You would need to work with the airline to reclaim it or make other plans. However, if it gets lost, then you will have to speak with the airline for compensation.

6. My bag has not arrived at the destination, what do I do?

If your luggage has not arrived at the destination, file a passenger irregularity report (PIR) at the airline's desk available at the airport. If you have a loss of checked-in baggage cover under HDFC ERGO travel insurance policy, then you should also intimate claim to travelclaims@hdfcergo.com or call on Global Toll-Free No: +800 08250825.