Travellers most often experience luggage mishaps at airports in Turkey, Italy, and Greece

Travel insurance data compiled by BTA Baltic Insurance Company AAS (hereinafter – BTA) shows that travellers most frequently experienced luggage mishaps in Turkey, Italy, and Greece, followed by Bulgaria and Spain. Overall, 58% of luggage insurance claims involve damaged, lost, or otherwise compromised luggage. According to Ivo Danče, Director of the Claims Department at BTA Insurance and an insurance expert, luggage delays, loss, and damage are the top three most common risks during summer travel, influenced by a range of unpredictable factors – airport congestion, travellers connecting through multiple flights, airline strikes, changes in flight schedules, etc. 

BTA travel insurance data shows that over the past three years, from June to August, the highest number of insurance claims were received for various incidents at destinations popular among Latvian residents – Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, Germany, and Spain. 

Meanwhile, luggage-related issues account for nearly one in ten travel insurance claims overall. Most often, these involve damaged, lost, or otherwise compromised luggage – 58% of all luggage insurance claims. In about one-third, or 35%, of cases, the suitcase does not arrive at the destination with the traveller or is delivered later. Another 6% of claims are related to the loss or damage of belongings during the trip. 

Luggage mishaps occurred most frequently at airports in Turkey, Italy, and Greece 

Luggage delays or damage may seem like a minor incident, but at the start of a trip, they can cause various inconveniences. After analysing the data, BTA concluded that Turkey, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, and Spain are the destinations where Latvian travellers have experienced the most luggage-related issues. 

“In practice, luggage delays can last several days, especially on longer routes or trips with multiple layovers. Therefore, it is always advisable to keep documents, medications, mobile devices and their chargers, a minimum of hygiene items, and at least one set of clothing in your carry-on luggage. That said, even that might not be enough. If a suitcase doesn’t arrive for several days, a person has to buy additional clothing, toiletries, children’s items, or other essentials locally – these are unnecessary extra expenses, which is why more and more people, when choosing travel insurance, are paying attention to whether the coverage also includes risks related to luggage,” notes I. Danče. 

The insurance expert adds that on routes with layovers, the risks to luggage are objectively higher – namely, each layover means another stage during which the suitcase must be transferred from one plane to another. On the other hand, if the first flight is delayed, the layover time is short, and the airport is busy, the likelihood increases that the traveller will arrive at the destination before their luggage. Due to errors, it may even end up on a completely different flight. Therefore, on long-haul trips and connecting flights, you should be especially prepared for the possibility that your suitcase won’t arrive immediately or might go missing entirely. 

Broken wheels, torn-off handles, and damaged shells – what luggage “goes through” during flights 

Luggage incidents during travel vary. In some cases, a suitcase arrives at the destination several days late. In other cases, travellers receive their luggage damaged – with broken wheels, handles, zippers, or damage to the body. Losses due to such damage most often range from a few dozen euros to several hundred euros in some cases. For example, in one case reported to BTA, a traveller flying to Canada received damaged luggage – the suitcase had a deformed body and a broken handle. The insurance claim for this case amounted to 500 euros. 

Therefore, it is recommended to choose a high-quality, durable suitcase with a sturdy shell and high-quality wheels, as handles, zippers, and wheels are most often damaged during transport. It is also advisable not to overpack your luggage – an overloaded suitcase is significantly more prone to damage. It is also important to remove old stickers and labels from your luggage to reduce the chance of the suitcase being mistakenly diverted to a different route. For added security, travellers are increasingly using protective film, or luggage covers to help shield suitcases from scratches and dirt. Meanwhile, it is recommended to carry valuables, documents, electronics, and medications in carry-on luggage. 

The largest insurance claim paid for lost luggage over the past three summers – 680 euros 

The largest insurance claim paid by BTA for a luggage claim during the summers of the past three years reached 680 euros. This was paid out for a case in Canada where travellers, upon arriving at Calgary Airport, did not receive their luggage and were forced to purchase necessary items because the suitcase was delivered only after several days. Another case involved a theft in Spain, where a bag containing personal belongings was stolen from a car, resulting in insurance claim of 600 euros. In another situation, due to the luggage carrier’s fault, a traveller in Switzerland was left without his suitcase and had to purchase items necessary to continue his trip, for which BTA’s insurance claim amounted to 560 euros. 

While getting ready for the summer travel season, a BTA expert reminds travellers: if luggage is not received at the destination or is received damaged, you must immediately contact the carrier or the airport’s luggage service to obtain written confirmation of the delay, loss, or damage to the luggage. You should also keep receipts for the purchase of essential items, as these will be required when filing a claim.