MEDIA RELEASE
Warning on Holiday Season Luggage Loss
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Top 10 Tips to Reduce Risks When Travelling -
More than 8000 Australians will have their travel plans disrupted by lost and delayed baggage this
holiday season, Australia’s number one online travel insurer has warned.
Travel Insurance Direct (www.tid.com.au) said luggage loss, damage and theft represented the biggest
single category of travel insurance claims, accounting for around 40 per cent of total claims.
Travel Insurance Direct General Manager Ian Jackson said up to 90,000 bags were mishandled each
day in airports worldwide, of which about 2 per cent would never be recovered. For Australians who
suffered lost luggage this summer, some would never see their luggage again, resulting in thousands of
dollars in lost property and immeasurable disruption to holiday plans.
“Worldwide, about 1800 bags a day disappear forever, either lost or stolen, so it’s worth taking a few
steps to minimise the risk,” Mr Jackson said. “Even though the vast majority of misplaced bags are
found and returned to their owners within 48 hours, that’s no consolation if you’re caught in the European
winter without your coat and gloves.”
Mr Jackson said there were 10 simple precautions travellers could take to help ensure their luggage
arrived intact:
Tags – Ensure all items have clear, sturdy luggage tags that won’t tear off. Record your phone
numbers for both home and destination. Some travellers prefer to list their office address to
avoid suggesting their home is vacant.
Itinerary – Place your contact details and itinerary inside your luggage, so you can still be located
if external tags are lost and your luggage is opened for inspection.
Lock up - Locks and straps provide a deterrent to theft, but remember some destinations like the
US only allow TSA-approved locks that can be opened by customs inspectors.
Stand out – A brightly coloured bag, luggage tag or strap reduces the risk of your luggage being
mistakenly claimed by another passenger on arrival.
Timing –
Arrive at the airport with plenty of time for check-in. A last-minute check-in or tight
connection increases the chance of your bags missing the flight.
At check-in – Ensure all old destination stickers have been removed from your luggage and that
staff affix the correct destination stickers at check-in. Be sure to keep your portion of the luggage
sticker provided at check-in (usually affixed to your boarding pass).
Connections –
Don’t book tight connections. Ask at check-in whether your luggage is checked
through to your final destination or whether you’ll need to collect your luggage and re-check while
in transit at another airport (especially if you booked flight sectors separately).
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Carry on – For short journeys, consider travelling with carry-on luggage only. This is especially
worthwhile with airlines that charge for checked luggage. Even if you check-in your main bags,
place valuables and a few essentials items of clothing in your hand luggage, just in case.
Pick-up –
Ignore other distractions at the airport and go straight to the luggage carousel once
you’ve arrived and cleared customs, keeping a close eye on bags as they emerge. Keep bags
close to you and never leave them unattended.
Travel insurance – Always have adequate travel insurance, even if travelling for short periods or
domestically. Insurance covers not only loss and theft, but can also provide a clothing allowance
if luggage is delayed. Keep receipts for your possessions where possible or consider making a
photographic record of luggage contents, in case you need to make a claim.
Travel Insurance Direct is Australia’s number one online travel insurer and offers comprehensive travel
insurance at highly competitive prices, particularly when compared with large travel agents.
Media information:
Bill Gray/Jon Murrie
MG Media Communication
02 9904 0011
December 3, 2009
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