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Travel Insurance Tips - Part 1: Baggage & Possessions

5 Ways to keep your possessions safe : What to do if your bags are lost or stolen

What do you do if your bags are lost or stolen?

To ensure that your claim is successful you will need to obtain the appropriate documentation in order to provide evidence of what happened. Here are our 5 top tips on what to do if your possessions are lost, stolen or damaged while you are on holiday.

1 Week Europe
from £12
(excl. baggage & money)

Annual cover
from £34
(excl. baggage & money)

1. Theft

Report all thefts to the police within 24 hours of discovery and obtain a written report.

2. Loss or damage

Report loss of any personal possessions or money over £100 to the police and obtain a written report. Report to the police any damage to your personal possessions caused deliberately. If appropriate you should also report the loss, theft or damage to the tour representative or hotel apartment manager.

3. Loss or damage in transit

If loss, theft or damage occurs whilst in the custody of a rail company, bus, coach company, hotel or shipping line you must obtain a written report from them. If in the custody of an airline you must obtain a Property Irregularity Report (PIR)

4. Baggage delays

If your baggage is delayed in transit you should obtain a PIR from the airline and keep receipts for any additional toiletries, medication and clothing purchased. You should also obtain confirmation of the date and time that the bag is returned to you.

5. Retain damaged items

Retain any damaged items as these may be required to be inspected.