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Key Takeaways

  • Baggage insurance reimburses you for personal items if your luggage is lost, damaged or stolen, and refunds the purchase of essential items if your luggage is delayed.
  • This can include coverage for common items like clothing, toiletries, travel documents, and more.
  • Baggage insurance is meant to cover necessary items rather than expensive items. Details vary by policy and provider, but plans often exclude expensive electronics, money, credit cards, and specialized equipment unless otherwise stated in the policy.
  • Baggage insurance is included on most travel insurance plans, which can cost as little as $5 per day on average according to our internal data from the past 12 months.
  • Plans have per-person limits ranging between $500-$5,000, as well as per-item limits, so it’s best to use a comparison tool to find policies that can cover the value of your items.
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What Is Baggage Insurance?

Baggage insurance is a collection of benefits included on most travel insurance plans that reimburses you for luggage mishaps on a covered trip, like lost or stolen luggage, damaged luggage and baggage delays. It can be divided into two general categories, loss and delay, and encompasses 4 types of benefits:

  • Lost Luggage insurance provides reimbursement if your personal belongings get damaged, stolen, or lost.
  • Baggage Delay insurance provides reimbursement for essential items if your checked bags are delayed en route to your destination.
  • Sports Equipment Loss covers your personal sports equipment, like skis or golf clubs, in case it is lost, damaged, or stolen during a covered trip.
  • Sports Equipment Delay covers the cost of equipment rentals if your own equipment is delayed en route to your destination.

Coverage limits and exclusions for these benefits can vary dramatically from one plan to the next so you should read your plan document closely to see what’s covered.

What Does Baggage Insurance Cover?

Baggage insurance covers loss, theft, damage, delay of your luggage, including the bag itself, and may include sports equipment insurance on some policies. Here’s what each type covers:

Lost Luggage Insurance

Baggage Loss insurance covers loss, theft, damage, or destruction of your baggage up to a specified limit, typically ranging between $500-$5,000 per person. To be eligible for coverage, you must take all reasonable measures to protect, save, and recover your belongings.

Common items covered by lost luggage travel insurance include:

  • Luggage, both checked and carry-on
  • Clothing
  • Toiletries
  • Travel documents
  • Administrative fees to reissue tickets, passports, visa, and other travel documents

The following items also appear frequently in plans, though they tend to be subject to special item limits due to the cost:

  • Jewelry
  • Electronics
  • Cameras
  • Computers
  • Cellphones

Baggage Delay Insurance

Baggage Delay insurance covers the cost to purchase necessary items if your checked baggage is delayed while heading to your final destination. Most plans will compensate you for essential purchases, such as a change of clothes, a toothbrush, and toiletries.

Under most travel insurance policies, your personal items must be delayed at least 6-24 hours for coverage to apply. Also, policies will have limits on how much they will reimburse you in the event of a claim and may also have daily limits between $100-$1,000 per person. Some plans also include per-item limits.

Sports Equipment Loss

Sports Equipment Loss benefit will cover the cost to replace personal sports equipment that was lost, damaged, or stolen during a trip. Most policies will provide reimbursement for the actual cash value of the items at the time of the incident. Plans will reimburse you up to a certain limit, typically between $500-$3,000 per person. Some plans may also include per item limits between $50-$500.

Examples of eligible sports equipment include:

  • Skis
  • Snowboards
  • Golf clubs
  • Tennis rackets
  • Surfboards
  • Fishing poles
  • Bikes

Sports Equipment Delay

Sports Equipment Delay covers the rental or purchase of new equipment if your equipment is delayed by a common carrier, such as an airline, enroute to your destination.

To be eligible for coverage, your equipment generally must be delayed between 6 and 24 hours depending on the policy. Coverage limits typically range between $200 and $5,000 per person. Some plans may also include per day and per item limits. Sports equipment insurance policies that include higher coverage amounts typically have higher premiums.

>> Learn How to Pack for a Flight

What Does Baggage Insurance Exclude?

Baggage insurance is not all-encompassing, and all plans come with exclusions that outline the specific items that are not eligible for reimbursement.

Common items excluded from baggage insurance include:

  • Animals (~78% of plans)
  • Household items, such as furniture or antiques (~78% of plans)
  • Sports equipment, unless your policy includes adventure sports equipment travel insurance (~44% of plans)
  • Medical equipment, including hearing aids or artificial limbs (~94% of plans)
  • Keys, money, or credit cards (~61% of plans)
  • Damage caused by normal wear and tear or gradual deterioration (~33% of plans)
  • Theft of items left in an unlocked rental car (~22% of plans)
  • Items that were illegally acquired, kept, or stored (~44% of plans)
  • Tickets and documents (~94% of plans)
  • Fragile items (~67% of plans)
  • Professional equipment (~33% of plans)

Baggage and Sports Equipment Delay coverage may also exclude the purchase of expensive or non-essential items like electronics and jewelry.

A full list of exclusions can be found in your policy’s Certificate of Insurance.

Expensive items are frequently featured in the list of exclusions or may have a strict per-item limit. You should check your plan closely to make sure items are covered, especially for a business trip where you are likely bringing along work equipment. For medical equipment, you may need to purchase a rider through your home insurance or from specialized travel insurers, since this is excluded on most plans.

How Much Is Baggage Insurance?

Baggage insurance is typically included in all travel insurance plans. Therefore, the cost varies by plan type. Comprehensive travel insurance costs around $448, or around $25 per day, according to our internal data from the past 12 months, while medical travel insurance costs an average of $5 per day.

As a rule of thumb, expect to pay around 4%-10% of your trip cost for comprehensive travel insurance. So, a policy for a $5,000 trip, for example, might cost between $200 and $500.

Can I Get Travel Insurance Just for Baggage?

We don’t know of any insurers that sell baggage protection as a standalone benefit. In general, you have to purchase baggage insurance as part of a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Some insurers, like battleface, may allow you to pair it with another benefit like travel medical insurance for a lower price.

If you don’t want to purchase comprehensive travel insurance, you can also consider coverage through your credit cards, your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, or baggage reimbursement services like Blue Ribbon Bags.

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What to Look for in Lost Baggage Protection Insurance

It’s important to read a plan’s certificate of coverage closely to make sure it will adequately cover your luggage. You should also review the procedures for submitting a claim to ensure that you have all the required documents, as it may be difficult or impossible to track down things like original receipts after the fact.

Keep an eye out for these details:

  • Per-person limits: Plans will usually have a per-person-limit on your total reimbursement, typically between $500-$5,000 for lost luggage compensation and between $100-$1,000 for delayed baggage compensation.
  • Per-item limits: Depending on the plan, Baggage and Sports Equipment Loss may also have a per-item limit, and a limit on payouts for specific items, like jewelry or electronics.
  • Daily limits: Depending on the plan, there may be a daily limit on essential item purchases for Baggage and Sports Equipment Delay.
  • Delay threshold: Baggage and Sports Equipment Delay will have a time threshold before your delay coverage kicks in, generally between 6 and 24 hours.
  • Primary vs. secondary coverage: Many plans offer secondary baggage insurance coverage, which means you’ll need to make a claim with other forms of insurance first, like your renters or homeowners insurance, before you can submit through your travel insurance provider. However, some offer primary coverage that allows you to directly claim with your travel insurance.
  • Excluded items: Plans often exclude very expensive items like jewelry, electronics and sports equipment.
  • Cash value vs. replacement cost: Most plans will reimburse you for cash value, i.e., the depreciated value of items. However, some will reimburse you the full cost of replacing a lost or damaged item.
  • Proof-of-loss requirements: Policies will generally require receipts for lost, stolen or damaged items, and a police report to claim stolen items. Some policies may allow you to submit photos, or other forms of proof in lieu of a receipt, but will limit your reimbursement.
  • When coverage applies: Some policies cover your luggage for the entire trip, while others only cover your luggage on a common carrier.

Plans With the Strongest Baggage Insurance Coverage

Best for Plan Baggage Loss Baggage Delay Delay Period
Highest limit for lost bags & delayed baggage compensation AXA Assistance Explorer Elite $5,000/person
$500/item		 $1,000/person
No daily limit		 12 hours
Shortest delay IMG iTravelInsured Choice $1,000/person
$250/item		 $300/person
No daily limit		 6 hours
Most affordable baggage insurance battleface Discovery $2,500/person
$1,250/item		 $500/person
$100/day		 24 hours

How to Get Baggage Insurance

As mentioned, baggage insurance is included in most travel insurance policies, and you have multiple means of getting coverage:

  • Check your credit card for baggage coverage: Some credit cards include very strong baggage protection. The Chase Sapphire cards, for example, offer up to $3,000 per person for Baggage Loss.
  • Check your homeowners or renters insurance: Your homeowner’s policy may offer some coverage for personal belongings that could apply to lost or damaged luggage. If the deductible is too high, you may be able to purchase a rider for your policy with a $0 deductible.
  • Use a travel insurance comparison site: You can use our quote form to locate travel insurance policies with baggage insurance, and sort and compare policies to find the lowest price.
  • Buy directly from an insurer: You can also purchase a travel insurance policy with baggage insurance directly from an insurance provider.
  • Buy through a travel provider or tour operator: Some travel providers, including cruises and airlines, may offer travel insurance with baggage protection. You may also be able to purchase coverage through a tour operator. Policies tend to be pricier, so we recommend comparing with other options before you do so.

Is Baggage Insurance Worth It?

Yes, baggage insurance can be well worth it, and generally won’t cost you extra, since it’s already built into most travel insurance plans.

Travel is unpredictable, and luggage issues are often unavoidable. From an airline misplacing your luggage to your backpack being snatched in a crowded city center, Baggage Loss insurance can save you thousands if your belongings get lost, stolen, or damaged.

Fortunately, this benefit is typically included in your coverage at no additional cost. If you’re traveling with sports equipment or high-cost valuables, it’s important to find a plan that provides you with the right coverage.

Coverage can vary dramatically from one plan to the next. To find the best plan for your trip, we recommend comparing travel insurance policies from at least 2-3 different providers.

Who needs baggage insurance:

  • International travelers: You’ll likely have a complex itinerary with multiple connections, which puts you at higher risk of delayed and misrouted bags.
  • Domestic travelers: Even flying in the U.S., baggage insurance can be worth the investment if you’re a heavy packer or you have multiple connections.
  • Travelers with expensive luggage or equipment: The more expensive your luggage, the more valuable a baggage insurance policy may be for you. Keep an eye out for exclusions or limits on any items that you’re packing.
  • Business travelers: You may be carrying equipment or business attire that you want to insure; look specifically for a business travel plan that covers laptops and other professional equipment.
  • Cruisers: You’ll need a cruise travel insurance policy with strong baggage delay coverage in case you need to replace your luggage in a hurry before your departure.

You may not need baggage insurance if:

  • Your credit card travel insurance already covers your bags.
  • You’re traveling light and your luggage would be cheap to replace.
  • You want to insure an item that’s very expensive or excluded from travel insurance.

>> See: Which Airlines Mishandle the Most Luggage?

How to Claim Baggage Insurance

You’ll need to file a claim with your travel insurance provider to receive reimbursement for your missing or damaged items, or items that you purchased on your trip due to a baggage delay.

Typically, this involves the following steps:

  1. Contact your provider: They can advise you on their process, the baggage coverage you have, and what documents you may need.
  2. File a report: Your provider may require you to file a report with your airline or local authorities, depending on the incident. Authorities may even return your luggage if you report it missing or stolen.
  3. Collect your documentation: You should track down all the required documents, including receipts, police reports, and any related documents that support your claim. The more thorough you are, the lower your chance of a delay or claim denial.
  4. Submit your claim: Once you have collected all documents, you can file your claim online, either through a website or mobile app.
  5. Check back on your claim: Be sure to check back from time to time on the status of your claim. Keep an eye out for requests for additional information.

What Documentation Do You Need for a Baggage Claim?

While each travel insurance provider has their own unique claims process, they may require the following documents:

  • Verification of your loss, such as a certified note from your common carrier or report regarding your missing personal items
  • Receipts, credit card and bank statements for lost items, sports equipment rentals or purchases you made as a result of your loss
  • A detailed description, including the make, model, and condition, of the items you lost
  • Any photos or documents that back up your claim
  • A copy of your itinerary and travel plans
  • Verification from your common carrier that certifies the delay or misdirection of your personal items

>> See our Travel Insurance Documentation Checklist

Tip: Photographs or an inventory/photo log of packed items can help support your claim if you don’t have original receipts.

FAQs: Baggage Insurance

If an airline loses your luggage, the airline is responsible for tracking it down and returning it to you or reimbursing you for it once you file a baggage claim, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

If the airline is unable to find it after a certain period (generally between 5 and 14 days), it will declare your bag officially lost. The airline is then required to reimburse you for your baggage, up to $4,700 for domestic flights and around $2,175 for international flights. It also has to refund any fees you paid to transport the bag.

You may be able to claim any losses that the airline didn’t reimburse with your travel insurance provider.

Yes, travel insurance generally covers theft of personal items under baggage insurance, which is a standard benefit on most policies. In order to receive compensation for stolen items, you’ll need to report it and obtain some type of report to document your loss, such as a police report. However, you may not be covered for very expensive items, like cameras, computers, or jewelry.

Depending on the policy, your renters insurance may cover personal belongings outside of your residence, including lost luggage. That said, terms can vary and your deductible may be too high to qualify for reimbursement in some cases, so be sure to read your policy closely.

Yes, almost all travel insurance policies include protection for your personal items through the Baggage & Personal Items Loss and Baggage Delay benefits. Baggage Loss covers your personal items in the event of loss, theft, damage, or destruction. Baggage Delay reimburses you if your luggage is delayed en route to your final destination.

While the majority of travel insurance companies will cover your belongings for the entire length of your trip, others will only cover luggage that was checked into a common carrier.

Yes, damage to baggage is generally covered by travel insurance under a policy’s Baggage Loss benefit, provided that you took reasonable measures to protect your property at all times. Very expensive items, like computers and jewelry, may be excluded from this coverage.

Most travel insurance plans include per-person limits and per-item limits. You may also see policies with specific item limits for high-priced items like jewelry, laptops, cameras, and other valuable belongings.

In general, you can expect plans to fall into the following ranges:

  • Per person: $500 – $3,000
  • Per-item coverage: $50 – $500
  • Total coverage for specific items: $250 – $1,000

Most travel insurance policies don’t offer sufficient loss coverage for expensive items. They typically have a per-person benefit amount, and can also have limits for the amount reimbursed per item, and per specific items, especially expensive items. Policies also may exclude certain items. If you’re traveling with luxury goods, valuable jewelry, or other belongings that are excluded or have a value greater than your policy’s coverage limits (usually $1,000 or less), we recommend finding an alternative source of protection.

“Actual cash value” means the depreciated value of an item. Most travel insurance policies will reimburse for the actual cash value of a lost, stolen, or damaged item rather than the replacement cost.

It depends on the card, but some credit cards offer very generous coverage for lost luggage. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and American Express Platinum Card offer $3,000 per person in Lost Luggage coverage.

To find a plan with reliable baggage coverage, look for plans that cover the cost of your luggage, including expensive items like electronics, and that have delay thresholds that fit your itinerary.

You should consider:

  • How much you’re carrying: Make sure the plan’s limits for Baggage Loss and Baggage Delay, as well as per-item limits cover the value of the items in your luggage.
  • The types of items in your luggage: If you’re bringing expensive items such as electronics, cameras, or jewelry, make sure they’re not excluded, and keep an eye out for separate per-item limits for these to ensure they’re high enough.
  • Your itinerary: If you have multiple connections or a tight schedule, a plan with a shorter trigger for Baggage Delay may be preferable. Some plans on our site cover delays of only 6 hours.
  • How the coverage works: Check whether the plan covers the cash value of lost and damaged items or the full cost of replacing them. Plans that cover full replacement costs are rare, but preferable if you can find one. Also check whether the policy provides primary coverage, or requires you to use other available coverage, like your homeowner’s insurance, first.

You can use our quote form to compare policies and find the coverage that you need.

Last updated: October 9, 2026