Travel Insurance for Delayed Baggage
Learn how travel insurance could help if your luggage misses your flight.
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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
- What's covered if my bags are delayed?
- Blue Ribbon Bags
- Items that aren't covered under baggage delay insurance
- If you need to make a claim for baggage delay
- Things you should know (and other tips for surviving delayed baggage)
We’ve been stuck in some remote locations with only the clothes on our back, so we understand the need to freshen up when your bags don't arrive. If you’ve arrived at the snow without warm clothes, or the tropics without a fresh pair of underwear, we can help you navigate a common traveler gripe – delayed baggage.
What’s covered if my bags are delayed?
When you arrive at your destination, but your bags don’t, and it’s looking like it will take some time for them to find their way back to you, World Nomads travel insurance* may help ease the blow.
If your checked-in bags are delayed by more than 12 hours en route to your destination, your plan can reimburse you for the essential items so you're not left wearing the same thing until your bags are found and returned.
Items you can claim reimbursement for if your bags are delayed include things like:
- Underwear
- Socks
- A change of clothes
- Toiletries
- Pajamas
You may also be covered for other reasonable and (deemed) necessary essential items. For example, if you’ve arrived at the ski slopes in Europe without a warm jacket (and other clothing to suit the weather of your destination), or you’ve traveled for a big event like a wedding and your dress or tux was in your checked bag.
Get in touch if you’re unsure what you can claim and be sure to look at your plan wording, including per-day and maximum limits, before making any purchase to replace your delayed items. When you get a quote, you can compare the coverage and limits in our plans side-by-side.
Non-Insurance Service “Blue Ribbon Bags”
If your checked baggage is lost or delayed by an airline, you should first talk with the airline and try to get it sorted out with them. If the bag is still lost, your next email should be to our non-insurance service partner “Blue Ribbon Bags”. They will get on the case and get your bag headed in the right direction, quickly. Blue Ribbon Bags tracks and expedites your lost luggage, allowing you to continue your travels smoothly. Included in all plans, this service covers every flight on any airline worldwide. You'll receive updates at every step. Just report your lost bags to the airline, then provide Blue Ribbon Bags with the file reference, record locator number, and Property Irregularity Report.
Items that aren’t covered under baggage delay insurance
While things like a change of clothes and toiletries fall under the ‘items you can claim if your bags are delayed’ umbrella, not everything is reimbursable. The following items are excluded:
- Eyeglasses, sunglasses or contact lenses;
- Credit cards, tickets, cash and documents;
- Professional or occupational equipment or property including electronic business equipment;
- Hearing aids, orthodontic devices and prescription medications.
This is not a full list of exclusions. Please read your plan wording for full details including per-day and maximum limits.
If you need to make a claim for baggage delay
If your bags are missing for an extended time, you’re probably going to need to make a claim. Travel insurance is secondary to other coverage you may have, so you will need to claim reimbursement with your common carrier first, then with us for the remaining amount your airline won’t cover.
If you need to make a claim for delayed baggage there are a few steps you need to follow:
- Report it to your airline or other common carrier.
- Complete all documentation required by the carrier.
- Contact Blue Ribbon Bags.
- We suggest reviewing your plan documents to see what your per-item and maximum limits are.
- Consider what can actually be considered ‘essential’ items versus ‘wants’. Call the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team if you want to be sure (we highly suggest you do this so there won’t be surprises).
- Submit relevant receipts for the items you buy as part of the claim process.
Take a look at our article What to do if your luggage is delayed for more information. And if you’re still not sure, get in touch and one of our team members can advise.
Things you should know (and other tips for surviving delayed baggage)
There are limits on the amount you can spend, and if your bags are returned within the 12-hour waiting period, then coverage will not apply. So, before you go shopping for a new wardrobe, check your plan carefully on the limits, conditions and exclusions that may apply before you buy.
Sometimes it pays to squeeze everything into your carry-on luggage. Check out our handy tips for traveling with carry-on only and take care you don’t exceed luggage weight limits.
One of the best ways to keep your luggage safe is to keep your valuables with you. When in transit, take your most precious items out of your checked-in luggage and carry them with you in your carry-on luggage or daypack.
Finally, read our article on baggage and gear to learn about coverage for lost, stolen and damaged baggage.
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.
Baggage Delay in a Delhi Winter.
I arrived in Delhi from Rome. Baggage claim help desk informed me that my bag had been delayed in transit. I was without my bag for almost a week before it was finally delivered to me. It was cold in Delhi (being winter, December) and my warm jacket was in my bag, requiring that I purchase a jacket and other items of warm clothing that I had not taken in my carry-on.
S.N. U.S Nomad in India.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Standard Plan: $125,500
- Explorer Plan: $150,000
- Epic Plan: $250,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation
We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $400,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $700,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $3,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.
Protect your health
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuations
- Bedside Companion Travel
- Emergency Medications
Protect Your Trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
- Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
- Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)
Protect Your Stuff
- Baggage Delay
- Passport and Visa Loss
- Lost or Stolen Bags
- Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
- Baggage Return After Evacuation
Non-Insurance Services
- Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
- Translators Available
- Runway Health
- FootprintID
- Blue Ribbon Bags
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, 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 assistance right now?
Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone:
+1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.