If you have any questions on whether your policy covers luggage, make sure you contact your insurance company.

What your insurance clients need to know

If you do find yourself in the precarious situation of being left with only the clothes on your back, here are five things you should know before you file a claim with your insurance provider:

1. You will most likely need to be able to substantiate the claim. If your suitcase was misplaced by your airline, they will provide you with a report that confirms the bag was lost. The same is true if your bag was damaged while in their custody. If you're luggage or personal effects are stolen, you will likely need a police report to substantiate the claim.
2. If you are travelling with high-value items, such as designer goods, cameras, or electronics, take a picture of valuables while you're packing as proof that you had them. This will expedite the claims process.
3. Receipts can be very helpful. While it's unrealistic to expect you to have the receipt for those designer jeans you bought last year, do keep receipts of anything you purchase while on your trip. Some insurance companies will deduct the amount payable if you don't have receipts for your items.
4. Keep in mind that if you do indeed have baggage coverage as part of your travel insurance policy, you might also have baggage delay coverage. This coverage will reimburse you for essential items like clothing and toiletries if your bags are delayed in being recovered, but not outright lost.
5. Lastly, many travel insurance policies are excess — or secondary — to other coverage providers such as homeowners' or renters' insurance, or to any reimbursement provided by a common carrier (e.g. an airline). You might need to file a claim with one of those entities first, but, if they don't cover everything you can also file a claim with your travel insurance provider. As an example, say your claim is for $700, but you have a $500 deductible on your homeowners' policy. You would first file a claim with your homeowners' insurance provider first, then file with your travel insurance provider to show that you were only reimbursed $200 of your $700 loss and they will make up the excess.

Read policies carefully

Even the best planned trips can be impacted by the unforeseen, like losing your luggage. But, with the proper travel insurance plan, you can have some peace of mind that you will be covered, so that you can go on to enjoy your trip without the stress of added expenses looming.