How can travel insurance help if your luggage is stolen
- As featured in:
As featured in:
So you’ve packed the thongs and budgy smugglers, and you’ve just touched down in Bali ready for a well-deserved break. Only...it looks like you might have to spend your holiday in the nude, because someone’s nicked your luggage. Don’t stress—here’s what you need to do.
1. Report it to the relevant person
If your luggage goes AWOL, your first move should be to report it, ASAP. Who do you report it to? Well, it depends on your circumstances, here are some of the most common situations:
If your luggage has been lost or stolen on public transport:
- Report the incident right away and request written evidence, like a Property Irregularity Report (PIR).
- Gather any relevant tickets, luggage checks, and other documents.
- Confirm how the transport company will compensate you—get it in writing.
If your luggage has been lost or stolen from your airline or accommodation provider
Report it immediately and request written confirmation of the incident from the carrier or the accommodation provider, along with details of any compensation.
If your luggage has been lost or stolen on a tour or at a public venue (e.g. airport, museum, sports stadium)
Let your tour operator, venue management, or security know right away. Ask for written confirmation of the loss or theft and details of any compensation offered.
Your situation not on here? Get in contact and we can help.
2. Notify the police
File a police report—this step is non-negotiable because your potential insurance claim hinges on it. Head to the nearest police station and make sure you walk away with a copy of the report or at least a reference number.
3. Track and block your phone, tablet and credit cards
If your phone or tablet goes missing, give it a call—who knows, someone might pick up! Contact your provider to block the service and get written confirmation. And don’t forget to call your bank to block any stolen cards ASAP.
If you have an iPhone, try using the Find My iPhone feature. If you have a Samsung, use the Find My Mobile feature to pinpoint your device’s location on a map.
4. Keep all receipts and paperwork
Hold onto every bit of paperwork—receipts for emergency buys, itineraries, booking and cancellation confirmations for any affected travel arrangements etc. If you don’t do this, we may reduce or reject your claim.
Do you need to have a receipt for the original purchase of your luggage items, even if they were purchased many years ago?
If your baggage and personal items, including those purchased during your trip, are stolen or accidentally damaged, we may reimburse you according to the limits in the Summary of Benefits in your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). While providing original receipts is ideal, we understand this isn’t always possible for items purchased years ago. You must still provide proof of ownership, age, and value for your belongings to support your claim. This can include bank or credit card statements, invoices, or even a notarised statement if the item was a gift.
5. Need to know more?
World Nomads offers Worldwide 24 hour Emergency Assistance. Whether you need help understanding our Travel Insurance for Stolen or Damaged Baggage, or making a claim, we’re here for you.
Lost, stolen, and damaged luggage incidents account for nearly half of all travel insurance claims, so if you’re dealing with stolen gear, you’re not alone. And if you’re reading this as part of your trip prep, good on you for being proactive.
World Nomads offers two flexible travel insurance plans for Australians —Standard and Explorer—both covering stolen belongings. The Standard Plan offers the basics, while the Explorer Plan provides higher coverage limits and extra benefits.
Travelling tips for before you leave Australia
- Add a distinctive, trackable security tag with your contact info (minus your home address) to make your luggage easier to spot and recover if it goes missing.
- Be proactive and install tracking apps on your devices before travelling abroad.
- Scan copies of all your docs and store them in your phone before you leave Australia—future you might just thank you!
- Grab a travel insurance quote here.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited
- Standard Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Overseas
Take the pain out of medical costs.
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited
- Standard Plan: $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transport
We'll get you to hospital lickety-split
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Standard Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Overseas Medical Expenses
- Emergency dental treatment
- 24 hour assistance
- Emergency medical transport & repatriation
- Cancellation costs
- Trip interruption costs
- Compassionate emergency visit home
- Resumption of trip
- Theft or accidental damage to baggage and personal items
- Baggage delay over 12 hours
- Funeral expenses overseas or repatriation of remains
- Personal liability
24/7 emergency assistance
If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Phone: +61 2 8263 0470 or Phone: +61 2 8292 1470 (reverse charges via an operator from anywhere in the world)
Contact the team
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.