How to deal with lost luggage

(NC)-As travellers prepare for winter getaways, the last thing they may think about is losing their luggage. According to SITA, the global provider of airport IT and communication services to the air transport industry, over two billion passengers move through airports every year, losing 30 million bags annually. This could mean you arrive for your winter escape, but your baggage doesn’t.

SITA indicates that mishandled baggage transfer is the number one cause for lost luggage, followed by failure to load the baggage, ticketing errors, and passengers mistakenly switching bags. Given the possibility for lost baggage, you should consider travel insurance to help cover some of these unforeseen costs.

Baggage and personal effects insurance may provide reimbursements for lost or damaged luggage and personal items. In the case of delayed baggage, it may also compensate you for some of the costs of purchasing necessary toiletries and clothing. Travel insurance may also help cover the replacement costs of passports, driver’s licences, birth certificates or travel visas in the event any one of these is lost or stolen.

In addition to travel insurance, here are few tips to help avoid baggage problems:

. Tag your baggage with colourful tags, labels or straps for easy spotting.

. Label your baggage with your name and contact information. For security reasons, include your business address instead of your home address.

. Remember to include labels on both the outside and inside of your luggage. That way if your external tag is removed, you still have the inside tag.

. Pack important items such as medication, eye glasses and laptops in carry on luggage.

. Report missing luggage immediately to the airline. Keep a list of what you packed in your baggage to facilitate the claims process.

Next time you’re making travel arrangements, ask for RBC Insurance Company of Canada. You can also get a quote online at www.rbcroyalbank.com/travel, call 1-800-565-3129 or visit your local RBC branch.

-News Canada

December 17, 2007   Posted in: Travel Advisory