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The Guide to Baggage Delay or Loss Insurance

Elina Geller is a former NerdWallet travel writer specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs and travel insurance. In 2019, Elina founded TheMissMiles, a travel rewards coaching business. Her work has been featured by AwardWallet. She is a certified public accountant with degrees from the London School of Economics and Fordham University.

Alisha is a freelance writer and photographer. She is the creator of travel and adventure site Terradrift.com and has written about travel and rewards for many publications, including American Way and Johnny Jet.

Kevin Berry works as the content lead for multimedia production at NerdWallet including YouTube, podcasts and social media videos across all financial topics. Previously, he was the Lead Editor for the Travel Rewards team. Prior to NerdWallet, Kevin managed the content and social media teams at NBC Sports in Portland for eight years. His prior experience also includes time as a financial analyst (Comcast) and business system analyst (Nike).

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Table of Contents

How does baggage insurance work?

What does baggage insurance cover, what is not covered by baggage insurance, how much does baggage insurance cost, how do i get baggage insurance, which baggage insurance coverage is best for me, is baggage delay insurance worth it.

Travel can be a lot of fun but if your bags are lost or stolen or your luggage is delayed for a significant amount of time, it can be a bad start to the trip. Before you travel, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with baggage insurance, which is offered on travel insurance policies and on premium travel credit cards.

How often does luggage get lost? According to LuggageHero, an airline's chances of losing your bag are slim. And if that happens, the airline is responsible for compensating you for your lost bags and contents. But they may have different liability limits than separate insurance, and there are plenty of other ways luggage can disappear after you leave the airport.

"Baggage insurance" is a general term that encompasses two key benefits: baggage loss and baggage delay. Here’s what you need to know about baggage insurance and how to get it.

Baggage insurance can generally be divided into two broad categories: Baggage loss and baggage delay.

Suppose you arrive at baggage claim to get your two pieces of luggage, but they are nowhere to be found. You file a lost report with the airline and head to your Airbnb. However, when you arrive, you find that it doesn’t have many toiletries or even a spare toothbrush. On the third day, one of your pieces of luggage arrives but the other one is lost.

If you purchased a travel insurance policy (or have a premium travel card ) that offers baggage insurance benefits, the baggage delay coverage will reimburse you for the purchase of essential items such as a toothbrush, toiletries, change of clothes, etc. for each of the days that you didn’t have your belongings.

Because you only received one of your pieces of luggage, baggage loss coverage will reimburse you for the missing piece, along with the contents up to a specific dollar amount. If you have valuables in your lost luggage, it's likely that they are covered by your homeowners insurance policy, so you’d want to check with that company before seeking reimbursement from the travel insurance provider, which limits the amount you can claim for the high-end items.

If you don’t have baggage insurance benefits, you’re still in luck because the airline carrier has procedures in place to reimburse for lost luggage and baggage delay. Still though, having an extra layer of protection is helpful, especially if your luggage is expensive and/or the baggage insurance benefits on the travel insurance policy are higher than the airline's.

When booking your trip, check the airline’s baggage loss and delay policies to ensure you understand what level of coverage you’re comfortable with.

Certain premium travel credit cards offer baggage insurance benefits. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers baggage delay insurance of $100 per day for up to five days if your bags are delayed for more than six hours and lost luggage reimbursement of $3,000 per person and up to $500 for luxury items.

» Learn more: Your guide to Chase Sapphire Reserve's travel insurance benefits

Baggage loss

Baggage loss will reimburse you for luggage and personal belongings that are lost or stolen while you’re on your trip. This coverage usually includes three limits:

Per-person overall limit.

Per item limit.

A specific limit for high-end items.

In case your luggage is lost, you’ll need to notify the appropriate local authorities, which will happen when you file your claim with the airline. To get reimbursement for luxury items (such as watches, jewelry, furs, cameras), some insurers may require you to submit original receipts.

» Learn more: How lost luggage insurance works

Baggage delay

Baggage delay lets you purchase necessary items while you’re waiting for delayed bags. This benefit usually kicks in after a specified amount of time and has two limits:

A per-person dollar limit.

A daily limit.

You will need to wait until the minimum amount of time has passed before you can be eligible for reimbursement. Some policies also state that this benefit is available only on the outward leg of your trip, so you’ll want to read the fine print of the policy to know when the coverage applies. Also, make sure to keep your receipts for items you purchase while you wait for your bags, as you will need to submit them with your claim.

For baggage loss and baggage delay, the coverage is usually secondary, which means that the benefits only kick in after the common carrier (airline) provides reimbursement.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Each insurer will have its own list of exclusions for baggage delay and baggage loss, however, some common exclusions are:

Auto equipment.

Household items.

Perishables.

In addition, losses related to a policy’s general exclusions (self-harm, war, illegal acts, etc.) also aren't covered. As always, check the fine print so you’re aware of what is covered.

Coverage included with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , for example, covers up to $500 for jewelry and watches. And plans from World Nomads cover sports equipment and documents like passports.

Before making assumptions, you should always check to ensure lost luggage is covered and for how much, as different plans offer different coverage types and amounts.

There are other exclusions. For example, you can't be reckless with your luggage or where you leave it, like in the back of an open pickup or on a curbside while you enter a cafe.

In addition, you typically must first file a report with the airline or local authorities in the case of theft or loss to file a claim with your travel insurance company. It's also best if you can provide receipts for high-value items to receive full reimbursements.

» Learn more: Blue Ribbon Bags reunites you and your bags in 4 days — or pays

Baggage insurance is usually included within comprehensive travel insurance plans. For a two-week trip to Australia that costs $5,000, a search of policies on travel insurance broker Squaremouth ranged from $198 to $447, representing 4.0% to 8.9% of the total trip cost.

One international week-long vacation may run from around $37 to $100 or more based on how much protection you want for the items you're traveling with.

A $63 plan, for example, may cover up to $750 of lost or stolen luggage, while a $103 plan might cover up to $2,500.

As you can see, prices range widely, which makes it easy to find a policy that applies to your individual situation.

If you hold a premium travel credit card that offers trip baggage insurance benefits, this coverage is offered free of charge as long as the trip is purchased with the applicable credit card.

The two main ways to get baggage insurance benefits are by purchasing a trip insurance policy or applying for a premium travel card that offers these benefits.

As mentioned previously, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® covers baggage delay and baggage loss. The Platinum Card® from American Express and many other American Express cards provide coverage for lost luggage only, with a $3,000 per person limit and a $1,000 per high-end item limit. There is no coverage for baggage delay. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Travel insurance benefits on American Express credit cards

These premium cards also offer other travel insurance benefits like trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, emergency assistance and more. If you often buy trip insurance, applying for one of these travel cards could be advantageous, since they offer a lot of useful perks and statement credits that will typically offset at least part of the annual fee.

However, if your luggage and belongings are more expensive than the limits provided by the credit card, purchasing a separate travel insurance policy could make a lot of sense.

If you’re traveling with expensive clothes or have high-end luggage, purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy that offers baggage insurance benefits is a good idea. If your belongings are relatively low-cost, you’re traveling with a carry-on or backpack or you’re already covered through your credit card, you may not need to purchase a travel insurance policy.

However, if you’d like additional coverage like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) , travel medical insurance and/or your credit card doesn’t offer sufficient limits, consider a comprehensive travel insurance policy from providers such as AAA , Allianz , AIG or World Nomads .

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

If you're traveling with high-value personal belongings, baggage insurance can be worth it.

However, you might not need to pay out of pocket to get coverage. For example, if you used a travel credit card with robust trip protection and luggage insurance to book and pay for your vacation and don't require additional or specialized coverage, that may be sufficient.

Purchasing coverage separately is probably best if you don't have baggage insurance benefits through a credit card or want to customize your coverage. But, again, the right option will depend on your needs and will likely vary from trip to trip.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market.  See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our  credit card rating methodology .

Is Baggage Insurance Worth It in 2024? [Types, Coverage, Plans]

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Table of Contents

The 3 best baggage insurance plans, what is baggage insurance, is baggage insurance worth it, what baggage insurance covers, how to get baggage insurance, how to file a claim for baggage insurance, final thoughts.

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There’s no worse way to start a vacation than being the last person standing at the baggage claim carousel when it shuts off, and it’s clear your checked luggage didn’t arrive. On top of the annoyance, you now have the hassle of dealing with this situation during a vacation, plus the forms to fill out — great. Then there’s the cost involved and trying to get reimbursed.

Or maybe your luggage was damaged. It showed up but with missing or broken items.

In either situation, baggage insurance can be helpful. These policies can protect you against out-of-pocket costs if your luggage is delayed, lost, or damaged in transit. While airlines are required to cover certain costs in these situations, they may not cover everything. That’s especially true if you’re traveling with high-value items. Taking some nice golf clubs or top-notch ski equipment in your checked luggage? Baggage insurance might be worth considering to ensure you aren’t left holding the bill in any of these situations.

Best Baggage Insurance for Low Cost: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection ExactCare Value

At $15 for some plans, the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection ExactCare Value plan is an inexpensive addition to your vacation that can cover lost or delayed luggage . However, the payout maximums are lower than some other plans. You’ll get up to $750 per person in lost luggage coverage, but the most any particular item can be insured for is $500. Your delayed luggage benefit also won’t kick in for 24 hours.

Best Baggage Insurance for High Coverage During Delays: Trawick International Safe Travels Voyager

While many baggage insurance policies make you wait 12 or 24 hours before you can buy items eligible for reimbursement, you only need to wait 8 hours with the Trawick International Safe Travels Voyager plan . That’s good news, as there are items you’ll need right away if your suitcase doesn’t come on vacation with you. Additionally, you can be covered up to $600 per person with the baggage delay coverage on this plan. That’s a positive if your immediate costs are high, like arriving at a snowy destination while your coats are in the delayed suitcase.

Best Baggage Insurance for Avoiding Per-Item Limits: Generali Global Assistance Premium

With the Generali Global Assistance Premium plan , you’re covered for up to $2,000 per person in baggage loss. There aren’t any maximum per-item limits like you’ll find with most other policies. This is handy if you have an expensive item you want to insure (like a surfboard) rather than wanting to insure many inexpensive items (a suitcase full of your regular clothes).

“Baggage insurance” is a catch-all term for insurance policies that can protect your possessions while traveling. Some baggage insurance policies cover checked luggage only; others will include carry-on bags. Some policies only cover lost or damaged luggage; others include expenses you incur from delayed luggage.

Understanding what a policy covers and comparing that to your travel plans is important to ensure they’re a good match. Having an insurance policy that doesn’t cover your situation is about as useless as not having a policy at all.

How Baggage Insurance Works

Baggage insurance works by covering your monetary losses. These obviously include losses from damaged goods and lost items, but covered losses also include what you have to spend on necessary items while waiting for delayed luggage. Those expenses could include clean underwear, a toothbrush, and deodorant.

Do Airlines Cover Your Baggage?

Yes, airlines are responsible for getting your checked luggage to its final destination. However, your carry-on bags are your responsibility . Also your responsibility: items inside your luggage . That means airlines won’t provide reimbursement if your suitcase arrives on time but had items removed from it.

Here’s an example, taken from American Airlines’ baggage policy :

“We will not accept liability for missing items inside a checked bag on flights within the U.S. unless it has been reported as delayed or damaged. If your bag was delayed or damaged and you notice missing items after it’s delivered, you must file a missing items claim within 24 hours of receiving your bag for flights within the U.S., or 7 days for international flights.”

Additionally, there are limits to how much airlines are required to reimburse you for lost or damaged luggage — a maximum of $3,800 on most domestic flights and $1,700 on most international flights, according to the Department of Transportation . Note, however, that assistive devices for disabled travelers are not subject to these limits on domestic flights. These must be covered in full.

So the answer is “yes,” airlines cover your luggage when it’s checked in. However, that coverage has limits and doesn’t cover situations where the bag arrived with some items missing. You may need a separate baggage insurance policy if you want coverage for your specific items, carry-on luggage, or items that cost more than the predefined limits.

When To Buy Baggage Insurance

You should buy baggage insurance when your existing coverage isn’t enough. That would include the built-in coverage from airlines’ obligations, your credit card’s protections, and potentially your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. If those won’t cover the cost of what you’re packing in your suitcase, baggage insurance is probably a smart idea.

Insurance is something you pay for and then hope you never have to use. You hope you never need the fire insurance on your home. Likewise, you hope you never need baggage insurance for a suitcase that disappears into the Bermuda Triangle. But if those unwanted experiences happen to you, you’ll be glad you have insurance.

Baggage insurance is worth it for peace of mind and to ensure your valuable items are covered. If the contents of your checked luggage are below the cost of what airlines or your existing insurance would cover, you may decide supplemental baggage insurance isn’t worth it.

If the contents of your suitcase exceed the mandatory coverage in other areas, it’s probably worth it. For those traveling with expensive business equipment for a trade show, sports equipment for an adventure holiday, or even with multiple gifts around the holidays, you may want baggage insurance for the value above what the airline would pay if your suitcase is lost or damaged.

If baggage insurance sounds like a good idea, let’s make sure it will actually cover your situation before you rush out to buy a policy. Baggage insurance will cover the following mishaps:

• Baggage loss
• Baggage delay
• Damaged items

However, the “loss” category doesn’t include items you accidentally leave behind , such as items left in your cruise cabin or forgotten in the seat back pocket as you walk off a plane.

Additionally, certain items are expressly excluded from coverage on most policies. These can include:

• Credit cards and travel documents like passports
• Perishable items
• Expensive items like jewelry or computers (maybe)

The last item deserves an explanation. High-value items like computers, electronics, or jewelry may have a separate coverage maximum. Depending on your policy, you may see terms like “$500 maximum for jewelry” or “$1,000 maximum for high-risk items.” If you’re traveling with these items, you may want a separate policy to cover them specifically. Receiving $500 toward your broken or missing laptop won’t be very helpful in replacing it.

Types of Baggage Insurance

The 2 main types of coverage for your checked luggage are baggage delay and baggage loss.

Baggage delay insurance covers you when your suitcase arrives late , such as a bag not making it onto your second flight during a layover. This type of coverage reimburses you for essential items you need to purchase while waiting for your suitcase.

What’s essential? That varies. Did you just arrive in a winter destination, but your family’s coats are in the checked luggage? Jackets are essential. Conversely, did you just fly from snowy Buffalo to sunny Barbados? Shorts and sandals are likely essential. In any situation, toothbrushes, deodorant, and clean underwear can be essential. The definition of “essential” will also vary by how long your luggage is delayed. If it’s arriving on another flight in 3 hours, you won’t need to buy as much as you would during a delay of 24 hours.

Baggage loss insurance covers you when your luggage is lost or damaged. Whatever was inside needs replaced. This type of coverage is meant to reimburse you for the value of what you’ll have to replace after the loss or damage.

How Annual Travel Insurance Applies to Baggage

If you travel a lot, you may consider an annual travel insurance policy . The cost of this single policy can be cheaper than buying multiple policies over the course of a year. Some of these policies provide excellent baggage insurance protections; others, not so much.

If you’re specifically looking for baggage insurance, getting it through an annual travel insurance policy probably doesn’t make sense. Buying an annual policy will provide protection in numerous areas. If all you want is baggage coverage, you’ll probably pay for things you don’t want by going this route.

What To Look For in a Baggage Insurance Policy

When evaluating baggage insurance policies, besides looking for a cost that fits your budget, you need to ensure that the policy will cover your items and their actual value . This means looking at not just the maximum payout under the policy but also what types of items are covered, such as sports equipment, jewelry, or fancy clothes. Additionally, look at any sub-limits in the policy, such as whether it will cover a maximum of $3,000 but no more than $500 for any particular item. That won’t be sufficient if you have something in your suitcase worth $1,200.

The most important items to check are the coverage limit, types of items covered, and any per-item sublimits in the policy. Once you find policies that can cover your items and their value, compare the other inclusions in the policies and their costs.

The best way to get baggage insurance is using coverage you already have. Does your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance cover your possessions while traveling? Does your credit card (the one used to pay for the trip) cover baggage delays or loss?

If you don’t have these protections already, a good place to start is a travel insurance comparison website. We recommend checking these sites:

• Travelinsurance.com
• Squaremouth
• InsureMyTrip

On these sites, you can provide some basic information about your trip and compare a wide range of policies. Looking at policies side by side can help you narrow down the best options for your upcoming travels.

Credit Cards With Baggage Insurance

We’ve mentioned a few times that a good credit card can provide baggage protections. However, their policies are not all the same. Let’s take a look at a few examples of what is and isn’t covered.

Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® and Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card provide up to $3,000 per person for lost luggage and up to $100 per day for a maximum of 5 days if your baggage is delayed more than 6 hours (or also overnight with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card).

Conversely, The Platinum Card ® from American Express and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card don’t cover baggage delays. These cards only provide protection for lost luggage . With the Amex Platinum card, you’re covered for up to $3,000 per person for lost luggage ($2,000 per bag with a $10,000 maximum for all covered people per trip for New York State residents). With the Capital One Venture X card, you’re covered for up to $3,000 per person.

Several small-business credit cards also provide baggage insurance if you pay for the trip with your card. You can get the most robust coverage from 2 Chase business credit cards. With the Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card or United Club℠ Business Card , you’re covered for up to $3,000 per person for lost luggage and up to $100 per day during baggage delays. The benefit goes into effect after delays of 6 or more hours. The United Club Business card provides baggage delay coverage for a maximum of 3 days; it’s a maximum of 5 days on the Ink Business Preferred card.

Once again, American Express’ card offerings don’t help you with delayed luggage, just lost baggage. With The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express , you’re covered up to $3,000 per person for lost luggage ($2,000 per bag with a $10,000 maximum for all covered people per trip for New York State residents). With the American Express ® Business Gold Card , the maximum is $1,250 per person for lost luggage (with a $10,000 maximum for all covered people for New York State residents).

What Baggage Insurance Costs

We estimated a couple’s trip for 1 week to Italy, departing on May 1st. This theoretical couple lives in California, and their ages are 34 and 35. Using Squaremouth , we selected the options to not cover medical evacuation costs or trip costs, allowing us to hone in on baggage insurance without paying for anything else. Then, we checked the boxes to include baggage loss and baggage delay protections.

The cheapest option came from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s ExactCare Value plan. At $15, this plan includes $200 per person of baggage delay coverage and $750 per person in baggage loss insurance. The delay coverage goes into effect after 24 hours of delay; the loss policy has a first-item limit of $500, a $250 maximum for additional items, and a deductible of $50.

Waiting 24 hours before your baggage delay benefit goes into effect is quite a long time to wait before getting a toothbrush. The 4 cheapest policies in this comparison all require waiting 24 hours; the only policy providing a shorter waiting period is Seven Corners Trip Protection Basic . The baggage delay coverage with this plan goes into effect after 6 hours. However, the baggage loss maximum payout is just $500 per person with this plan, including a $250 maximum per item. This plan costs $41.

You’ll pay more for a policy with higher payout maximums and shorter waiting periods. Among the 5 premium policies below, the cheapest option is $65.36 from the Generali Global Assistance Premium plan. Here, you’ll be covered after delays of 12 hours and get up to $2,000 per person in lost luggage coverage — without any per-item restrictions. Up to $2,500 in baggage loss coverage is included on 3 of the policies in this comparison, but they all have maximums per item, which Generali’s policy doesn’t.

The shortest waiting period for baggage delay comes from Trawick International’s Safe Travels Voyager plan, which also has the highest maximum payout for baggage delay. Here, you’re covered after 8 hours of delay, up to a maximum of $600 per person.

If the baggage carousel stops and your suitcase is damaged or hasn’t come out at all, there are a few things you need to take care of. First, you must report luggage loss to the carrier immediately , whether it’s an airline, bus company, ferry, or cruise line. Make an official report and ensure there is a claim number on your report. Depending on the type of claim you’ll make later, many insurance providers require that you make this initial claim at the baggage claim area — or within 24 hours at the most.

Next, you need to check whether your items are covered by another policy , such as your credit card insurance or homeowner’s insurance. The terms of some policies say things like “after exhausting other coverage,” meaning they provide secondary coverage for remaining value not yet reimbursed or any deductibles you may have paid with other policies. Thus, you may need to wait for the airline to settle your claim before making a claim with your credit card benefits provider or renter’s insurance. Your baggage insurance policy, if you purchased one, may be the final stop.

While making a claim, you’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, record locator, and proof of claim with the airline. But you’ll also need proof of the value you’re claiming for the lost or damaged items, such as receipts and details for each item. This can be difficult, as many of us don’t retain receipts for all of our clothes or have proof of what clothes we packed in the suitcase. Taking photos or videos of your suitcase contents can be very helpful here.

When you make a claim with insurance providers, you should only claim what hasn’t been covered already . For example, if you can prove that you had $5,000 of scuba equipment in a lost suitcase and that the airline reimbursed you for the maximum coverage of $3,800 on a domestic flight, then you would only claim $1,200 from your baggage insurance provider. You would also attach proof of the items’ value and the proof of settlement for less than the full value with the airline.

Finally, it’s worth noting that your claim may be paid out according to a depreciated value . If you’re claiming designer clothes that you paid $2,000 for in 2021, expect that the value of these will be depreciated, due to wear and time. This can be frustrating, as receiving 80% of what you originally paid for an item won’t cover the cost of buying a new one. That can be another reason why having coverage in multiple areas is useful.

There are several ways to cover your luggage against delays and losses during a trip. If the maximum payout from your airline or cruise line won’t be sufficient, you may have existing coverage to help fill the gaps. If you don’t have coverage, or it won’t be enough, you can get baggage insurance from numerous travel insurance providers. Before selecting a policy, ensure you understand what it covers and the payout structure (per item versus total coverage) to make sure you pick the right one.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa ® or Mastercard ® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the American Express ® Business Gold Card, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for eligible persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a common carrier vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the United Club℠ Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Business Gold Card, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Does travel insurance cover loss of baggage.

Most travel insurance policies will cover lost baggage. Coverage varies by policy, however. This can include maximum payouts, maximum coverage on a per-item basis, and exclusions of certain high-value items.

Do you get compensation for delayed luggage?

Yes, you can. When your luggage is delayed, your travel insurance policy and even the airline may reimburse you for essentials you need to purchase while waiting. These can be items like clean underwear, a toothbrush, or even items required during your particular trip. Need to rent a suit for an important business presentation? Is your snowboard delayed and you need to rent one for a day while waiting? These may be considered essential. Keep the receipts.

Is it better to claim lost baggage on insurance or with the airline?

Airlines are required to reimburse you up to certain maximums for lost luggage. This is typically $3,800 at most during domestic trips and up to $1,700 on international itineraries. Your insurance provider will require you to settle your claim with the airline first. Afterward, you can claim any remaining value from your travel insurance.

How much compensation do you get for lost luggage?

This is typically $3,800 at most during domestic trips and up to $1,700 on international itineraries. However, these are maximums. You’ll be reimbursed for the actual cost of what you lost or what was damaged in your checked luggage.

How do I insure my checked luggage?

It’s possible to take out additional insurance if you think the airline’s coverage won’t be sufficient. You can purchase a general travel insurance policy, a specific policy for a particular high-value item you’re transporting, or even pay for the trip with a credit card that provides coverage for delayed or lost luggage.

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About Ryan Smith

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and now plans to let his wife choose their destinations. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, and Forbes Advisor.

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Baggage Loss/Damage Benefit

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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Does Travel Insurance Cover Lost or Delayed Baggage?

Do the scenes of fields of bags spread out across an airport put a knot in the pit of your stomach, thinking that your bag could be in there? If so, read on.

There’s no question the number of mishandled bags is rising. According to the Department of Transportation’s Air Traffic Consumer Reports, the number of mishandled bags increased 59% from 2021 to 2022.

The percentage of bags mishandled is low – less than 1% – but a 59% increase is especially significant when you consider that the number of mishandled bags usually only changes a small bit from measurement period to measurement period.

While people have had some good results slipping a tracking tag into their luggage, that shouldn’t be all you do to ensure the safety of your luggage and its contents. Travel protection that covers your luggage and personal belongings is an important piece of the baggage protection puzzle.

Will the airline reimburse me for lost luggage?

When baggage mishandling occurs that is the fault of the airline, the airline will often pay for lost items or costs to reunite you with your bag. In these cases, it is the responsibility of the airline to provide agreed upon arrangements first and travel insurance may cover the remainder. See our handy list of links to airline customer service agreements to learn how the most popular airlines handle baggage problems.

With Generali Global Assistance, Baggage coverage is secondary, which means if you have coverage through your homeowner’s policy for baggage or items in your baggage, it will pay first, and then travel insurance may reimburse certain items that haven’t already been replaced or reimbursed.

In addition to letting your insurance companies know about your lost luggage, you also need to notify authorities at the site where you believe it was lost – such as an airline’s baggage office or police.

Travel insurance for luggage and personal items

Travel protection plans from Generali Global Assistance include coverage for lost, damaged, stolen, and delayed baggage – which can be helpful when you’re flying.

Our Premium Plan has $2,000 per person in coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage. If you think about what you spent on your bags and what might be inside them, it can be easy to blow past the $2,000 mark. One piece of jewelry or a camera could do it.

Some things our plans won’t cover:

• Musical instruments
• Phones and computers
• Medicine and cosmetics

See more exclusions

The good news is that many of the things you’d pack in a suitcase are covered. You probably wouldn’t pack your phone, money, or a tablet in a checked bag.

But clothes, shoes, jewelry, and other common traveling items may be covered under the Baggage benefit.

Does travel insurance cover delayed baggage?

Our travel protection plans don’t just cover lost, damaged, or stolen baggage. They cover baggage delay as well.

Baggage Delay coverage may reimburse you for replacement clothing and personal articles that are needed while the baggage is delayed, so save those receipts.

Sporting Equipment Delay coverage may reimburse you for the cost of renting replacement equipment and/or locating your delayed Sporting Equipment and having it returned to you.

Important Notes: To qualify for coverage, baggage must be delayed for at least 24 hours with a Standard Plan, 18 hours with a Preferred Plan and 12 hours with a Premium Plan. Sporting Equipment must be delayed for at least 18 hours with the Preferred Plan, 12 hours with the Premium Plan, and coverage is not included with the Standard Plan.

Pro tip: An additional benefit you might not have expected is that Generali may reimburse you for the cost of having your clothes cleaned while waiting for your luggage to arrive.

Also read:  How to Keep Your Travel Bags Safe

When is a bag considered delayed vs. lost?

According to the Department of Transportation, most airlines consider a bag lost after 5 to 14 days . At any time during that window, the updates include any attempts made by the airline to locate your luggage or bags and return them to you.

Once that window has passed with no sign of your belongings, the bag is declared permanently lost by the airline. At that point can you start filing formal claims for lost luggage reimbursement through the airline's limited liability process.

What if the airline damages my bag or belongings?

Dealing with damaged luggage from the airlines can frustrate travelers as much as lost belongings. Whether the damage results in broken zippers, crushed frames or badly mishandled belongings, passengers often feel angry and helpless.

Airlines are only held liable for repair or replacement costs up to $3,800 for domestic flights and approximately $1,700 for international flights, according to the Department of Transportation . An airline's definition of damage can also differ from a passenger's.

That's what makes the Baggage coverage with our plans appealing. With this coverage, you receive secondary protection if the airline damages your luggage or the contents inside during handling and transit. If your baggage and personal items haven’t been completely replaced or reimbursed by the airlines, you can be made whole again.

Steps to take if your baggage is delayed or lost

Report your missing or delayed luggage immediately before leaving the airport. File an official report, and get a copy of the file reference numbers/reports.

Keep your baggage claim stubs as proof of checked bags, along with any receipts for travel essentials you purchased due to the delay.

Promptly submit a claim through your travel protection provider, including the airline reports and reference numbers, along with receipts/documentation of the items lost.

Take note of airline representative names and stay on top of the airline claims process.

There’s a lot more to travel protection for luggage than just paying for replacement bags. Get a quick quote to see options to help protect your trip.

In the meantime, is that your bag in the security-camera footage at Heathrow?

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How Does Baggage Coverage Work? (2024 Guide)

Find out here why baggage coverage is important for you on your next trip.

with our comparison partner, Squaremouth

Alex Carver is a writer and researcher based in Charlotte, N.C. A contributor to major news websites such as Automoblog and USA Today, she’s written content in sectors such as insurance, warranties, shipping, real estate and more.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

One of the most important considerations when traveling is whether to buy a travel insurance policy to protect your investment in your trip.

When it comes to the individual travel insurance policy and its coverage, the decision involves things such as cancellation and medical coverage , as well as baggage coverage.

Any delayed luggage or baggage loss or theft would not be covered on your travels without baggage coverage. Without it, you would not receive reimbursement to replace any essential items you packed — or your bag(s).

In this article, we delve into how baggage insurance coverage works, why it is important and how you can secure the most comprehensive travel insurance with great baggage coverage.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

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What Is Baggage Insurance?

Baggage insurance, otherwise known as luggage insurance, pays for your travel bags in case something happens to them while you’re on a trip. There are two types of baggage insurance — baggage loss coverage and baggage delay coverage.

• Loss of baggage: The cost of your baggage is covered if it’s lost, stolen or damaged during your trip.
• Delayed baggage: You’ll get reimbursed if your bags are delayed during transit because of an issue with your airline, cruise line or transport provider.

With insurance, the items you carry in your bags are covered up to a pre-specified limit if you want to make a claim with your travel insurance. This limit may vary among different travel policies. It can also vary based on the personal items you travel with. If you go on a trip with valuable items, you may want to take out a policy with a high coverage maximum.

Types of Baggage Insurance Coverage

Baggage insurance has a variety of elements to its protection — something to understand before you buy a travel policy. Insurance companies and their various policies have different payout amounts and maximum coverage limits. These are things to consider when you line up your travel protection.

Individual Item Limits

Individual item limits refer to the maximum coverage you have for one specific item you travel with. Examples include clothing, an expensive razor, a special watch, a piece of sports equipment or even just the suitcase itself. If the item is too expensive, the baggage policy may not cover the full cost and you may need special additional coverage.

Total Baggage Limits

Total baggage limits refer to the maximum amount of insurance coverage you have for your luggage, plus all the personal and essential items inside. The dollar amount can be in the thousands of dollars. This is a useful number to know before you finalize your travel insurance package.

Additional Coverage for High-Value Items

You may get more coverage by buying additional coverage for high-value items. It doesn’t matter what the items are. It can be a laptop, cell phone, jewelry or designer items. If you know you’ll travel with something expensive that you fear might get damaged, lost or stolen, you can get a reimbursement up to the amount spelled out in your travel insurance policy.

Benefits of Insuring Baggage

When you’re temporarily packing up your life in a suitcase, you want to ensure everything is adequately protected in case of an incident or unforeseen circumstances. Whether you’re a senior citizen on a solo tour, a middle-aged parent traveling with family or you’re on a cruise or adventure tour, we’ve highlighted the benefits of having baggage insurance.

Peace of Mind

Knowing that travel insurance covers your delayed, lost or stolen luggage means having peace of mind of financial protection.

Convenience

Having travel insurance with adequate baggage coverage alleviates stress if something happens and makes resolving your baggage issues more convenient.

Financial Protection

If you experience a bag delay or a travel group loses your luggage, you have the financial backing that means no matter the resolution, you won’t lose money. Your insurance will back up anything you declare as valuable. It’s important to know what your baggage insurance covers — and what it doesn’t.

How To Insure Bags

Your travel insurance policy will cover you for delayed, damaged or lost baggage. Depending on the policy and provider, just how much coverage you have will likely differ.

In fact, some credit cards like American Express supply travel insurance coverage through their rewards systems. It’s worth checking in advance with your credit card company to see what coverage you may have. (You must have used that specific credit card to pay for your travel.)

Insuring your baggage is an easy process when gathering your travel plans . We’ve outlined the steps below to show you just how simple it is to get insurance coverage for your luggage.

Research Your Travel Insurance Policy Options

If you want the best travel insurance , your first move is to research the different insurance policies on the market for your kind of trip. You may want comprehensive but affordable coverage with a low amount of coverage for baggage. Or you may want a policy offering more coverage with the option of insuring individual high-value items you may be taking with you.

A range of suitable travel insurance policies are on the market, so ensuring that you’ve done your homework to find one that suits your travel plans the best and will cover your personal items adequately is important.

Choose a Travel Insurance Policy That Is Right for You

Once you’ve researched, select the policy best suited for your trip and needs. While you want to ensure that your insurance adequately covers your bags in case of loss, damage or delay, you don’t want to overlook the other types of coverage your insurance policy offers, including trip cancellation and medical coverage.

Find an adequate balance that suits all your travel and budget needs.

Understand Your Policy Terms

Once you find a good travel insurance policy, look deeper into the details and terms. This is a step that many travelers fail to do, and it can end up costing you money. The terms should detail your maximum limits for individual items and total baggage coverage and the circumstances in which you can file a claim and get compensated accordingly.

Tips for Choosing the Right Baggage Insurance

There are several tips that we feel are particularly important when you’re choosing your travel insurance policy with the best baggage cover:

Consider Exclusions

There are particular factors that may be excluded from your travel insurance policy, so it’s important to know about these in advance. For example, pre-existing medical conditions are a consideration that many will have to be conscious of when choosing their policy as they can be excluded in some cases.

Check The Reputation of an Insurance Provider

You want to ensure that the insurance policy you’re considering purchasing comes from a reputable and credible insurance company. Looking at existing reviews before purchasing a policy will give you a good indication of whether the company is reputable and trustworthy.

Consider The Policy Duration

Particularly when traveling, you want to ensure that your travel insurance policy covers you for the whole duration of your trip. This includes all of the traveling you will be doing to reach and return from your chosen destination, including any layovers that you may have.

Bear in Mind Coverage Limits

With baggage cover in particular, alongside other travel insurance factors, you will have to make sure you’re aware of the total amount of coverage you have for your trip. This might be a baggage limit of $500 or $5,000, but it’s important to be conscious of it.

Consider Deductibles

Deductibles refer to how much you will have to pay if you are to make a claim on your travel insurance before your provider will pay out. So, knowing how much out of pocket you could be is important before purchasing your insurance to make sure you can afford this.

The Bottom Line

Knowing how much your travel insurance plan covers for lost, stolen or damaged baggage is an important element of your pre-travel organization. If you do your research and find an insurer and a policy that fits you and fits your trip, you can travel with confidence that you won’t lose out financially if something happens to your luggage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baggage Insurance

Is baggage insurance worth it.

Baggage insurance is worth it if you take an extensive trip with any luggage, particularly if you carry valuable personal items. The insurance covers lost luggage, damaged luggage or delayed luggage.

Does travel Insurance cover checked baggage?

Baggage coverage in your travel insurance policy covers both checked baggage and carry-on luggage.

Who pays for bag damage?

You will more than likely be able to make a claim on your travel insurance policy if your baggage is damaged, but airlines are also responsible for reimbursing any passengers for damaged bags and their contents if the damage has occurred while a bag has been in the airline’s possession.

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at  editors@marketwatchguides. com .

More Resources:

• Best overall
• Best for cruises
• Best for reputation
• Best for preexisting conditions
• Best for digital nomads
• Best low-cost
• Best for road trips
• Best for adventure traveling
• How we reviewed travel insurance companies

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance in July 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Traveling is an adventure, a leap into the unknown, a story waiting to unfold. But every story needs a safety net, and that's where travel insurance comes in. In this guide to the best travel insurance, we'll embark on a journey to help you better understand travel insurance and uncover the benefits that make it an indispensable companion for any traveler.

Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024 Summary

• Best Overall: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA
• Best for Cruises: Travel Guard
• Best Reputation:  C&F Travel Insured
• Best for Pre-existing Conditions:   Tin Leg Travel Insurance
• Best for Digital Nomads:   WorldTrips Travel Insurance
• Best Low-Cost Option:   Trawick International Travel Insurance
• Best for Road Trips: Travelex Travel Insurance
• Best for Adventure Sports :  World Nomads Travel Insurance

Top Travel Insurance Companies Comparison

The best travel insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage options for a wide range of people and needs. For this guide, we looked at coverage options, customizability, and the best companies for specific situations, such as pre-existing conditions.

Here are Business Insider's picks for the best travel insurance companies in 2024. 

Best Overall Travel Insurance

Nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide is of the largest players in the travel insurance space, offering nearly endless options for any customer on the travel spectrum, including annual travel insurance plans which can offer frequent travelers the flexibility to "set it and forget it" on their travel insurance coverage.

Nationwide Essential also offers some of the most affordable policies in the market compared to similar plans from competitors, which makes it a great pick for just about anyone. Buyers can discuss bundling options as Nationwide also sells homeowners, auto, pet, and other insurance products. Its travel insurance quoting is just as easy as it has been with other Nationwide insurance products.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review .

Best Travel Insurance Runner-Up

Axa assistance usa.

AXA offers consumers a great option for no-stress travel insurance: low-priced plans, generous coverage limits on key categories including primary insurance on lost luggage, and up to 150% reimbursement for qualifying trip cancellations.

While add-ons are limited and rental car coverage is not included by default on cheaper plans, AXA is a perfect fit for travelers who don't plan to drive (or who already hold a travel credit card with rental car coverage), and don't need any additional bells and whistles.

Read our AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance review .

Best Travel Insurance for Cruises

Travel guard.

AIG is well-known insurance provider, and a great fit for travelers who want to ensure that they can get their money back in the event of canceled or interrupted travel plans.

While the company's policies can be pricey compared to its competitors, the high medical and evacuation limits make AIG a solid choice for older travelers who value peace of mind and simplicity over highly customizable plans that may be bolstered with medical upgrades.

Read our AIG Travel Guard review .

Best Travel Insurance for Reputation

C&f travel insured.

While every travel insurance company has negative reviews about its claims process, C&F Travel Insured 's claims process has a consistent stream of positive reviews. One customer wrote that C&F processed a claim within 48 hours. Additionally, C&F regularly responds to customer reviews within one business week, making reviews a consistent way to reach the company.

Additionally, in C&F's fine print, it mentions that any claims that take more than 30 days to pay out will begin to accrue interest at 9% APY.

C&F's reputation isn't the only thing to speak highly of. It offers an array of add-ons uncommon in the travel insurance industry, such as Interruption for Any Reason insurance and CFAR coverage for annual plans. C&F also offers discounts for children on its Protector Edge plan and free coverage on its Protector plan.  

Read our C&F Travel Insured review . 

Best Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Tin leg travel insurance.

Tin Leg is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Seven of Tin Leg's eight travel plans include coverage for pre-existing conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment.

Thanks to coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as well as for potential COVID-19 infection while traveling, this company offers some of the best financial investment options for travelers who are or will be exposed to higher health risks and issues.

Read our Tin Leg Travel Insurance review .

Best Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads

Worldtrips travel insurance.

WorldTrips has affordable premiums, highly customizable add-ons, and generous coverage for core categories of travel insurance. All this makes it a great option for digital nomads, students studying abroad and backpackers.

However, travelers should keep in mind that plans are not particularly flexible, and coverage amounts are limited unless you plan ahead to pay for the areas and amounts that you need.

Read our WorldTrips Travel Insurance review .

Best Travel Insurance for Affordability

Trawick international travel insurance.

Trawick is another insurance provider with robust medical travel insurance that can help higher-risk and anxious travelers find peace of mind while on the road. This company offers one of the most generous medical evacuation policies in the market, although travelers will need to remember to add on rental car coverage if they need it.

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review .

Best Travel Insurance for Road Trips

Travelex travel insurance.

Travelex offers three plans:

• Travel Basic
• Travel Select
• Travel America

The Travelex America plan is meant for trips limited to the U.S., but it has the highest coverage limits in many areas compared to its other programs. If you're flying somewhere, the lost baggage limits are higher. Its natural strengths shine for road trippers, though. Travelex America adds coverage for roadside service and rental car coverage for unexpected accidents. It also covers pets should you be involved in an accident while on the road.

While your standard auto insurance does extend to car rentals within the U.S. for a limited time, any accident would affect future rates. Travelex would eliminate the risk of reporting to your auto insurance provider for minor incidents within its purview.

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review .

Best for Adventure Traveling

World nomads travel insurance.

World Nomads distinguishes itself from others by covering over 300 sports and activities, from skydiving to golf. Additionally, its one of the few travel insurance companies that allow you to purchase after departing for your destination. However, you'll have a 72-hour waiting period before coverage kicks in.

That said, World Nomads doesn't have the highest coverage limits compared to its competitors on this list. It also doesn't have the most customization, only providing two plans to choose from with no options for pre-existing condition coverage. Yet, World Nomads still stands out for its sports coverage and post-departure coverage.

Read our World Nomads review .

Introduction to Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is a must-have.

The unpredictable nature of traveling – from flight cancellations to medical emergencies – can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a personal safeguard, ensuring that unexpected events don't drain your wallet or ruin your trip.

Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. From single-trip travel insurance policies to annual travel insurance plans , from minimal coverage to comprehensive protection, understanding the spectrum of options is your first step in finding the right fit for your journey.

Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance for medical emergencies.

Imagine falling ill in a foreign country; daunting, right? A robust travel insurance plan ensures you don't have to worry about how much emergency medical care while traveling will cost, even in the most remote corners of the globe. This coverage will often come in tandem with emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

Life is full of surprises, some less pleasant than others. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage ensures that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short. You may also look for cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason options, which will reimburse you for a percentage of your nonrefundable fees, but expands the covered reasons you can cancel a trip. You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance companies here.

Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss

Losing your belongings is more than an inconvenience; it's losing a piece of your world. Insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage loss ensures that you're compensated for your loss, helping you to rebound and continue your adventure.

Support and Assistance Services

In times of trouble, having a lifeline can make all the difference. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 support and assistance services, giving you peace of mind that help is just a phone call away. Also, check websites that field customer reviews like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and InsureMyTrip , to see how well a company responds to customer requests.

Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Reputation and reliability of the travel insurance provider.

A provider's reputation is not just about being well-known; it's about reliability, customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver on promises. Researching and choosing a reputable provider is a cornerstone in ensuring your safety and satisfaction.

Understanding the Policy's Fine Print

The devil is in the details, and understanding the fine print of what your travel insurance policy covers is crucial. Be aware of coverage limits, exclusions, and the process for filing a claim to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

In the age of information, customer reviews and feedback are goldmines of insight. Learn from the experiences of others to gauge the reliability and customer service of the insurance provider you're considering. While the ratings are important, you should also look at whether or not a company responds to customer complaints.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance

Knowing your policy inside out.

Familiarize yourself with every aspect of your policy – what it covers, what it doesn't, how to file a claim, and who to contact in an emergency. Being informed means being prepared. 

Steps to Take When a Problem Arises

If you face an issue during your travels, knowing the immediate steps to take can make all the difference. Keep important contacts and your policy details handy, and remember, your insurance provider is there to assist you.

How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You

There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy that works perfectly for every traveler. Young, healthy solo travelers can opt for much cheaper plans that offer bare-bones coverage, while families juggling complex itineraries will do best by investing in a robust policy that can help defray any costs associated with lost baggage, delayed transportation or other trip-impeding obstacles.

That being said, you can't go wrong with a travel insurance provider that boasts a reputable history and offers a wide range of customizable plans. In some cases, you may be comparing plans that are only a few dollars' apart from each other. In such situations, you should generally opt for the insurance company that offers the strongest customer service. It's also worth considering whether or not the travel insurance provider has been reviewed by other travelers with similar itineraries to your own. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth is one of the best tools for searching travel insurance policies. Once you input the specifics of your travel itinerary, you'll be able to see hundreds of search results to compare the ones that catch your eye. If the options are too overwhelming, use the filters to the left of your search page to eliminate as many irrelevant plans as possible.

How We Reviewed the Best Travel Insurance Companies

To come up with our list of the best travel insurance companies, we evaluated each insurer based on the following factors:

Guide Methodology: What We Considered

Policy Types

Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award five stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2023 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.

According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, the average cost of travel insurance will be between 4% and 8% of total travel expenses. Anything beyond that price point should include additional benefits beyond the standard inclusions, such as CFAR protection or upgraded medical coverage. Anything below that 4% threshold may leave you lacking important or sufficient coverage in an emergency.

Convenience and Flexibility

Whether you're an infrequent traveler or a suitcase warrior, a good travel insurance company should have you covered. In many cases, you might not even have to talk to a person in order to purchase your policy.

Many people think of travel insurance in context with specific trips, but most of these top contenders sell both single-trip and multi-trip policies, also known as annual travel insurance. Some companies also offer plans specifically designed for cruisers, students abroad, and business travelers. (Read our guide to the best cruise travel insurance companies for more details.) Finally, all of these providers offer multiple options for getting the specific areas and amounts of coverage that you want.

Claims Handling

Most travelers never have a large claim. Premiums are low, and it provides peace of mind for the just in case situations. So they leave reviews based on their reduced stress levels. But what happens if you lose your luggage or have to stay a few extra days due to an unexpected accident? Will your insurance carrier cover your claim without all the hassle? We check real customer reviews to sort this out for you.

Ease of Use and Support

When purchasing, during your trip, and throughout the claims process, you may need extra support. Does the company have a 24/7 help line? Does it have an online or mobile system allowing you to self-manage? Essentially, what are the options when you need help? We look at the big picture to evaluate the average customer experience with each company.

You can read our full insurance rating methodology for even more details.

Best Travel Insurance FAQs

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for every traveler. Determine the benefits that are most important to you, like baggage delay coverage, medical coverage, and trip delay coverage, then look for a company with solid customer ratings, especially when it comes to processing claims.

Travel insurance will pay out if you experience a covered event, such as a travel delay or delayed or lost baggage. If you're looking to get travel insurance for a specific reason, such as needing to potentially cancel your trip due to work reasons, make sure your policy will cover you in that situation before purchasing it. You should also check customer reviews to see other travelers' claims experiences, as it varies wildly from company to company.

The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your total trip cost, so it could vary widely depending on where you're traveling and the length of your trip. Your age, the number of people in your group, and other factors can also influence how much you'll pay.

Yes, travel insurance typically offers some coverage of canceled flights, but if this benefit is important to you, make sure you read the fine print of your policy to make sure it offers adequate reimbursement. If you think you may need to cancel your travel plans, you should consider purchasing cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance .

For adventure sports coverage, you'll want to look at World Nomads , which covers over 300 sports.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Baggage Delay Benefits

Delayed luggage axa travel protection has you covered .

We have all been there – eagerly waiting for our luggage at the baggage carousel, only to find out it is nowhere in sight. But did you know your travel insurance could come to the rescue in such situations? Let us break down baggage delay coverage for AXA Travel Protection plans. 

Getting Your Essentials Back: 

If your checked baggage does not arrive as planned and you are left without your necessary items for (12-24) hours, AXA has your back. We can offer reimbursement for the expenses you incur to replace those essential personal belongings, like clothes and toiletries that were in your checked baggage.  

What You Need to Do: 

When the unexpected happens, and your baggage goes astray, there are a few steps you need to take to make sure you're covered: 

Notify the Right People:  Immediately inform the airline or transportation company about the situation. This way, they know the problem and can help you locate your luggage. 

 Getting Proof from the Carrier:  AXA needs evidence that your baggage was delayed or misdirected. The airline or transportation company must  provide you with a verification of the delay or mix-up. 

Hang Onto Those Receipts:  If you end up having to buy replacement items, make sure you keep the receipts. You'll need these to back up your claim when you seek insurance reimbursement.   

What is Baggage Delay?

Do i need baggage delay coverage.

If you are traveling with valuable items or you have connecting flights, it may be a clever idea to consider this type of coverage to protect yourself against the inconvenience and expenses of delayed baggage.

Imagine you are on a trip, and your checked baggage goes on an adventure. It could get delayed or even end up at the wrong place. No need to fret – AXA Travel Protection plans have a special provision for this kind of hiccup.  All three of  AXA’s travel plans  include baggage delay coverage, maximum coverage per person is up to:

Maximum Benefit: $200

Maximum Benefit: $300

Maximum Benefit: $600 Receive a  Free Quote  within minutes, decide which plan fits best for your travel needs!  

What Qualifies as Baggage Delay

• You must be a ticketed passenger on a common carrier
• All claims must be verified by the common carrier, who must certify the delay or misdirection
• Receipts for the purchases must accompany any claim
• Checked baggage is delayed or misdirected by a common carrier for more than
• (24) hours for Silver and Gold plan policyholders.
• (12) hours or more for Platinum plan policyholders.

Travel plan benefits vary by selection. Explore our  Silver ,  Gold , and  Platinum  plans.

Other Travel Insurance Benefits : Trip Cancellation , Emergency Evacuation , Baggage Loss , Cancel For Any Reason , Trip Interruption , Medical Travel Benefit , Trip Delay

Compare Travel Insurance Plans

Get covered against Trip Delays, Medical Emergencies, Lost Baggage, and more!

Baggage Delay FAQs

  What should I do if my baggage is delayed? If your baggage is delayed, you should report it to the airline as soon as possible and obtain a written confirmation of the delay.  Call our claims team: (888)-957-5015  Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM-4 PM Central Time Is Baggage Delay coverage included in all AXA travel plans? Yes! Baggage Delay coverage is included in  Silver ,  Gold , and  Platinum  travel plans.  Coverage limits will differ based on the travel plan selected.   

Can I purchase Baggage Delay coverage separately from a travel plan policy?

Unfortunately, you cannot purchase baggage delay coverage separately from our travel plans.  But our  Silver plan  is our lowest cost plan, which includes baggage delay, trip cancellation, and more.

Why choose AXA Travel Protection

With a presence in over 30 countries worldwide, AXA provides assistance with a wide range of features that include: 

• Extensive knowledge of local health risks and medical facilities to respond swiftly in the event of a medical emergency
• 24/7 global team of travel experts that offers assistance and assurance while traveling

How to get a Travel Protection Quote

Receive a  free quote  within minutes Or call us at  855-327-1441  to speak with our licensed Travel Insurance Advisors. Monday-Saturday, 8 AM-7 PM Central Time  

Need Help Choosing a Plan?

Speak with our licensed team of multilingual travel agents. From Medical Coverage to Trip Cancellation protection, our team of travel experts will help you choose the right coverage.