Lost Luggage and Baggage Insurance: What Actually Gets Reimbursed

Baggage coverage has one of the widest gaps between what people assume ("my stuff is covered") and what the policy actually pays, largely because of per-item and per-category sub-limits most travelers never read.

Two limits that matter more than the headline number

• Per-item limit — even with a $2,000 overall baggage maximum, a single item (a camera, a laptop) is often capped at $300-500 unless separately declared or scheduled.
• Electronics/valuables category cap — many policies group all electronics into one sub-limit regardless of the overall maximum — a stolen laptop and phone together might hit this cap fast.

What you need to actually get paid

• Original purchase receipts, or at minimum credit card statements showing the purchase, for anything valuable — insurers pay replacement value based on evidence, not your estimate
• A property irregularity report from the airline for lost/damaged checked luggage, filed before leaving the airport
• A police report for theft, filed as soon as possible at your destination

Airline liability vs. your travel insurance

For checked luggage, the airline has its own liability under international conventions (typically capped around $1,700 for lost bags on international flights) — file with the airline first, then your travel insurance for anything beyond what the airline covers. Filing with both simultaneously is fine; just don't get reimbursed twice for the same item.

This guide is for general information only and isn't insurance advice. Confirm exact per-item and category limits directly with your insurer and the airline's liability terms before traveling with valuables.