Photo © Lukasz-Nowaki/IStock

What to do if your luggage is delayed

    As featured in:

  • As featured in:

1. Report it to your carrier straight away

Once you realise your luggage is delayed, report it to the carrier as soon as possible. For lengthy delays, you should ask them to compensate you to replace essential items you may need while you wait for your bags to be returned.

2. Get a written report

Get a written report of what’s happened from the carrier, for example a Property Irregularity Report, from the carrier confirming the delay was greater than 24 hours from your arrival and any compensation they offer to you.

3. Keep your receipts

Keep the receipts for any essential items you buy such as toothbrushes, prescription medication or a change of clothes. Your expenses must be supported by receipts dated prior to the delivery of your delayed baggage and after 24 hours from your arrival.

Before you go shopping for an entire new wardrobe to replace your designer jeans or a new ball-gown for that special event, because you believe everything you own is "essential", there will be limits on what your policy can and cannot cover, so check your policy wording carefully or contact us (Yes, we've seen claims like this!)

Original receipts may be necessary if you intend to make a claim and your policy covers these expenses.

4. Need to know more?

This information could help you when things go wrong and you want to make a claim. All travel insurance plans are different and cover will vary, depending what's happened, your country of residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy. Your policy wording will always have the full terms, conditions and exclusions that apply.

If you have questions about what's covered and not covered, just ask us.

Does my insurance cover my tech?

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: £5,000
  • Standard Plan: £3,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy in an accident?
  • Sudden death of an immediate relative?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Abroad Medical Expenses

Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.

  • Explorer Plan: £10 million
  • Standard Plan: £5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transport

Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Injured abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medical evacuation home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: £3,000
  • Standard Plan: £1,500
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Baggage & Personal Belongings
  • Cancellation
  • Trip Curtailment
  • Personal Accident
  • Loss of Passport or travel documents
  • Personal Liability
  • Legal Expenses (Personal Liability)
This is a general summary for United Kingdom residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.
Pre-existing medical conditions

You are not eligible to buy a policy if you travel against medical advice, travel with the intention of receiving medical treatment, or have a terminal illness. World Nomads policies cannot cover claims due to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMC), regardless of whether the condition is serious or not. You can still purchase a World Nomads policy, but the PEMC exclusion cannot be removed, and you will be responsible for any related costs.

For information on travel insurance providers that offer cover on PEMC, visit Money Helper or call 0800 138 7777.

24/7 Emergency Medical 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.

Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.

Are you in need of Emergency Medical Assistance right now?

For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024
+44 (0) 144 444 2021 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

For policies purchased before 27 June 2024:
Phone: +44 (0) 203 093 1750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

Contact the team

Get an instant travel insurance quote

Simple and flexible travel insurance designed by travelers, for travelers. See why over 3 million travelers have chosen World Nomads for more than 20 years.