We help you travel with confidence, wherever you go.
What Is Baggage Insurance?
A traveler contacted us after arriving overseas to find her checked bag missing at baggage claim. She had a connecting flight, and by the time she reached her final destination, her luggage was nowhere to be found. It’s never easy to lose your belongings while far from home, but baggage loss insurance was included in her travel protection plan and provides reimbursement for personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged during travel, based on the terms outlined in the travel insurance plan.
When she called, she was unsure where to begin. I walked her through how to report the loss to the airline, helped her list the contents of her bag, and reviewed which items might require receipts. I also guided her through the documentation needed to submit a claim. She told me the situation had felt overwhelming, but having step-by-step support helped her move forward with more confidence.
A baggage loss or theft claim generally applies when your checked or carry-on luggage is permanently lost, stolen, or damaged during your covered trip. This includes situations such as:
Your checked baggage is not returned by the airline
Items are taken from your locked hotel room
Personal belongings are stolen during transit
To be eligible, the loss or theft must occur during your covered trip and meet the plan’s specific documentation and timing requirements.
How AXA Travel Protection Plans Address Lost or Stolen Baggage
Baggage and personal effects coverage is included in most AXA Travel Protection plans and can help reimburse you if your belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip. Coverage limits vary by plan level:
What Does Baggage Loss or Theft Insurance Include?
Unexpected baggage loss or theft can disrupt your travel plans and result in the loss of personal belongings. The baggage and personal effects coverage included in AXA Travel Protection plans may help reimburse you for eligible items that are lost, stolen, or damaged during your covered trip. Coverage is subject to plan limits, exclusions, and documentation requirements.
Eligible losses under this benefit may include:
Checked Baggage
Items not returned by your airline or other
carrier
Carry-On Items
Belongings taken during travel or while in your possession
Hotel or Accommodation Incidents
Losses occurring in secured areas like locked hotel rooms
High-Value Belongings
Some coverage for items like cameras and watches, subject to combined article limits
Reimbursement Basis
Coverage typically provides the actual cash value or cost to repair or replace items, whichever is less, up to the plan’s stated limits
Required Documentation
All claims must be supported by proper documentation, including reports from carriers or authorities. Reimbursements are based on plan terms and benefit limits.
How to File a Baggage Loss or Theft Insurance Claim
If your baggage or personal items are lost or stolen during your covered trip, it is important to report the incident and begin the claims process promptly. Here is how to file a claim for baggage loss or theft coverage:
Documennts typically required for a travel medical insurance claim incldue:
Report the incident as soon as possible
Gather and organize required documents
Submit your claim with all supporting information
Claims are reviewed based on your plan’s terms
What Are the Benefits of Personal Effects Coverage?
Reimbursment for Loss, Theft, or Damage
If your personal belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged during your covered trip, you may receive reimbursement, depending on your plan’s benefit limits and exclusions.
Covers a Range of Personal Items
Covered items can include clothing, electronics, and other personal belongings you bring with you. Some high-value items may be subject to individual or combined article limits.
Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost
You can get reimbursed based on the actual cash value of your items at the time of loss or the cost to repair or replace them with similar items, up to the applicable plan limits.
Support with Claims annd Documentation
The claims process is designed to guide you through submitting required documentation. AXA’s team reviews claims based on clear criteria outlined in your travel protection plan.
How Baggage Loss or Theft Coverage Works
If your baggage or personal items are lost, stolen, or damaged during your covered trip, AXA Travel Protection could help reimburse you for eligible belongings, depending on your plan’s benefit limits and terms. Here is how the process generally works:
You identify a loss or theft
Report missing or stolen baggage as soon as possible to the appropriate party, such as the airline, hotel, or local authorities. Be sure to obtain written documentation of the report.
You submit a claim with the required documents
To start the claims process, provide a list of affected items, proof of ownership, and supporting documents like incident reports and original receipts when available.
We evaluate your claim
AXA’s claims team will assess the submitted information and determine what is covered based on your plan’s per-item and combined article limits, as well as applicable exclusions.
You may receive reimbursement
If your claim is approved, you may be reimbursed for the depreciated value of covered belongings, up to the maximum limits specified in your plan.
Assistance services can support you
In addition to insurance coverage, AXA provides non-insurance travel assistance services that may help locate lost luggage or assist with replacing essential items during your trip.
Need Coverage for Lost or Stolen Baggage?
AXA offers travel protection plans that include baggage and personal effects coverage, which may help reimburse you if your luggage or belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip.
Trip interruption insurance typically does not cover pre-existing medical conditions (unless a waiver is purchased), foreseeable events, intentional acts, or situations caused by your own reckless behavior. It also generally excludes coverage for financial default of travel suppliers that occurs more than 14 days after policy purchase.
What are personal possessions in travel insurance?
Trip interruption coverage typically begins once you've departed on your trip and continues throughout your covered travel period. The exact start time is specified in your policy documents and usually coincides with when you leave your home to begin your trip.
What is the combined article limit in baggage coverage?
Trip interruption coverage ends when you return to your home or to your original departure point, or on the scheduled end date of your trip as stated in your policy, whichever comes first.
Does travel insurance cover lost luggage?
Trip interruption insurance with AXA Travel Protection provides reimbursement for unused, prepaid travel expenses and additional transportation costs if your trip is cut short due to a covered reason, such as illness, injury, or family emergencies. Coverage limits vary by plan.
What should I do if my luggage is lost internationally?
Yes, AXA may cover trip interruption due to illness if the illness is unexpected, occurs during your trip, and is serious enough that a physician advises you to return home. Coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of your specific plan.
Can I file a claim for delayed baggage with travel insurance?
Yes, trip interruption coverage is included in all four AXA Travel Protection plans: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The maximum benefit amounts vary by plan, ranging from $100,000 to 150% of trip cost.
My luggage has been lost or stolen. How do I file a claim?
No, trip interruption and trip cancellation are different benefits. Trip cancellation covers you if you need to cancel before your trip begins, while trip interruption covers you if your trip is cut short after you've already departed. Both benefits may be included in AXA plans but apply at different times.
Is baggage and personal effects coverage included in all AXA travel protection plans?
Trip interruption insurance is particularly valuable if you're taking an expensive trip, traveling internationally, have prepaid non-refundable expenses, or have concerns about health issues or family emergencies that could require you to return home early.
Can I purchase baggage loss or theft coverage separately from a travel protection plan?
To get trip interruption insurance, simply purchase one of AXA's Travel Protection plans. Trip interruption coverage is automatically included in all Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans. Get a quote online or call 855-327-1441 to speak with a licensed agent.
Related Articles
What Is Trip Interruption Insurance & How Does It Work?
Trip interruption happens when an unexpected situation derails your travel plans. This could be an unused reservation, a missed flight, or an important matter that demands your immediate presence back home.
Travel plans can go wrong, with flight changes like delays, cancellations, or rescheduling messing up your itinerary. Airlines are responsible for some compensation, but having travel insurance offers you an extra layer of flexibility.
Travel Insurance and War vs. Terrorism: Coverage Explained
Travel insurance is a way to protect against unexpected events like illness, trip cancellations, or lost luggage. But, when it comes to war and terrorism, travel insurance coverage can be limited and often comes with exclusions and conditions.
With over 65 years of travel assistance experience, AXA supports millions of travelers across 164 countries. Our licensed representatives are available 24/7 to guide you through medical needs, trip concerns, or questions about your plan. You'll always speak with real people who are here to help, wherever you travel.
