Compensation for Delayed or Lost Luggage: What Can You Do?

CaseCraft AI makes claiming compensation for your lost baggage simple. If your bag was delayed, destroyed, or non-existent, we will take you through the process of filing a simple small claims in plain language, taking you through the legal framework, and representing you in small claims.

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Key Highlights on Delayed or Lost Luggage Compensation

Understand the rules, limitations, and timelines that can make or break your luggage claim, and what to do if the aviation company ‘pushes back’:

• Act Immediately and Report It: If you have a travel bag that’s ‘missing’ or ‘damaged’, report the issue to the flight operator prior to leaving the airport. 
• Airlines Allow Expenses For Delay: You are entitled to have necessary purchases (toiletries or a change of clothes) reimbursed to you while your luggage is delayed. Retain all receipts for anything you purchase.

• Missing or Damaged Luggage Compensation: If the aviation company loses your luggage or returns it defective, you can claim compensation. Airline liability is capped at about £1,000 per passenger; travel insurance can cover anything above that.
• Deadlines Apply: Missing items or damage claims must be made within 7 days. Claims for delayed travel bag expenses must be submitted within 21 days. If you miss this deadline, your claim may be forfeited.  
• Escalate if Needed: If your claim is rejected by the company or you are offered a small amount, you can escalate the issue. You can elevate the complaint with a regulator or take to court.

Your Rights If Your Airline Delays Your Luggage

When your checked baggage didn’t arrive on your flight, it’s considered delayed. While it may be a hassle if your luggage is delayed, you may be eligible to claim compensation for the cost of essential items you purchased while you waited for your suitcase to be returned to you.

Airlines are obligated to reimburse you for reasonable purchases like toiletries, basic clothing, and other necessities. There is no dollar amount that you will receive. The basis of your compensation is based on what you actually incurred, so hold on to all of your receipts. Flight operators typically offer to deliver your bag to you if they find it and return it to you at no charge.

Travellers do not get reimbursed for luxury or non-essential purchases. A toothbrush and a clean shirt would be reimbursed. A pair of designer shoes is probably not going to be reimbursed. Be reasonable, document everything, and submit your claim in a timely manner to remain eligible.

Flight Delays or Cancellations? You May Have Another Claim

Travel bag difficulties are not the only circumstances you can claim compensation for. If your flight was delayed or cancelled, you may also be eligible for compensation under EU261 or UK261.

This would be in addition to your luggage claim, and you may make both claims. Don’t lose out on compensation to which you are legally entitled if your trip disruption is multifaceted.

Your Next Steps After a Luggage Delay

• Report It Before Leaving the Airport: Go to the airline’s desk located in the baggage area and fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Ensure you receive a copy of the PIR, including the reference number. 
• Provide Contact Information: Provide the flight operator with your address, along with your phone number, so they can arrange to deliver your bag to you.  You can also ask them if they offer essentials or a spending allowance.
• Buy Only What You Need: If you have to purchase basic items such as toiletries or clothes, save all receipts for your claim. 

• Track Your Bag and Follow Up: You can use your airline’s bag tracking system, or if you have not heard anything after a day or two, reach out to the flight operator’s customer service or tracking department. 
• Claim Your Expenses: Once your suitcase arrives, you must submit your claim using all the documentation. The PIR, boarding pass, baggage tag, and receipts. Please note that you can file a claim for a lost checked travel bag if it remains missing after 21 days.

Damaged Suitcase? Know Your Rights and Next Steps

Airlines are liable for damage to checked luggage (and contents) while it is in their care. If your suitcase or travel bags are returned with defects (e.g, rips or broken handles) or with damage to the items inside it (e.g., broken clothing, suit jackets, etc), you can file for compensation or replacement. Airline payouts usually only cover repair work or the current value of baggage items, or are limited to about £1,000 under international rules.

Air transportation companies are not required to pay for normal wear and tear not due to handling (i.e., minor scratches or dents). If you have high-value items, such as electronics, in checked baggage, you must have declared these in advance to receive compensation for items lost or damaged.  In all other instances of physical damage to the suitcase, your right is to file a claim.

What To Do If You Receive Damage To Your Checked Bags

1. Report It Right Away: Investigate your suitcase before you leave the airport. If there is a breakage, go to the flight operator’s desk and file a Property Irregularity report (often called a PIR). Be sure to keep a copy of the PIR for your records.
2. Document the Damage: Make sure you take enough photographs of your suitcase and any contents that were damaged – you’ll need these when making a compensation claim.
3. Make Your Claim Within 7 Days: Submit a written request to the airline’s customer service or use their online “claim” form. You should include a description of the breakage, photographs, the PIR, a list of items inside your suitcase that were damaged – including an estimated value- and photocopies of any relevant receipts or repair estimates.
4. Keep The Damaged Suitcase For Inspection: Do not throw anything away until the airline has responded. They may want to inspect it or may offer to repair it.

If the airline doesn’t reply or if you believe they have offered you too little, you can develop your claim further. With CaseCraft AI, you can build and file a small claim  quickly and confidently.

What Rights Do I Have if the Airline Lost My Suitcase?

If you cannot find your luggage after 21 days, the airline must consider it lost baggage, which means you can make a claim for lost travel bag, including payout for the suitcase and items within it. Most airlines are signatories to the Montreal Convention, which limits liability with regard to missing luggage to a maximum of around £1,000 per passenger. In order to make a claim, you are required to detail all the contents of the suitcase and provide an estimated value for each individual item.

 

The flight provider will assess your list and then make a payment based on the current market value of all of those items. They will not pay the amount you originally paid; older items will obviously fetch less. They will not pay anything for valuable items such as electronics or jewellery unless you made it clear to them in the first place.

In the event of the loss being in excess of the airline limit, or any loss of items that the flight provider does not cover, you may be able to recoup the remainder from your travel insurance.

What to Do When Your Luggage is Officially Lost

If your suitcase is still missing and your flight operator has been unable to locate it after 21 days, it will be considered lost baggage. You can then make a claim for the lost luggage and get paid for the value of your bag and what is in it. 

First, you should make a detailed list of everything that was in your suitcase. You should also estimate the value at fair market value (not what you paid). Be honest, but fair. The total will be the basis of your claim. 

Then you should fill out the airline’s lost bag claim form. If they do not have a form available, then you will need to write your own letter. In your letter, you should include the following information:

• Your flight details.
• Tag number.
• A physical description of your checked baggage.
• An itemized list of what was in your suitcase, along with the fair market value.
• Copies of relevant documentation, including your boarding pass, tag, Property Irregularity Report (if any), and (if you have to) all relevant receipts. 

Make sure to send in your claim as soon as the bag is missing. If the flight operator doesn’t respond within a reasonable time, follow up. If they reject your claim or they offer you an unreasonable amount of money for your claim, then you can appeal against the airline. Not sure what to expect? Explore actual case outcomes on the Money Claims Map and see real compensation awarded.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for Lost or Damaged Luggage?

Time limits are crucial in luggage claims. You should always try to report and claim it as soon as humanly possible, but here are the time limits:

• Damaged Suitcase or Missing Contents: Report and file your written claim within 7 days of receiving your travel bag.
• Delayed Baggage: You have to submit your claim within 21 days.
• Lost Baggage: As soon as it’s officially declared lost (around day 21), file your claim immediately.
• Legal Action Deadline: If you need to file a lawsuit for compensation, you have 2 years from the date of the flight to file it in court.

Missing these deadlines provides the airline with a way to deny your claim. If you filed everything on time and followed proper procedures, you have a better chance of having the airline compensate you.

Luggage lost? We’ll help you get compensated.

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