Why You Should Never Pack Valuables in Your Checked Luggage
You may recall hidden camera footage of Miami Airport baggage handlers, busy helping themselves to passengers' belongings inside a plane. The surveillance equipment was set up by local law enforcers as part of a long-running investigation into luggage thefts at the air hub.
If that doesn't put you off placing valuables in your hold luggage, then what about the shenanigans over at JFK? In 2013 El Al Airlines set up a hidden camera and caught a number of baggage handlers in the act of pinching a watch, iPhones, iPads, cameras, gold rings and money.
And luggage theft a problem in the UK too, alongside damage and loss.
Putting valuables in your checked luggage is simply taking an unnecessary risk. When it comes to watches and jewellery, you don't even need to put them in your hand luggage – you can wear them while on your flight.
Items stored in hold luggage are also more liable to be damaged or lost.
Can I get reimbursed?
Airlines themselves rarely reimburse passengers who have lost valuables from their hold luggage.
Most carriers warn passengers not to place items such as money, important documents, jewellery, watches, cameras and other electronic devices in their hold luggage. Less likely items such as historic artefacts, silverware and medications also feature on airlines' 'do not stow' lists.
Medication in particular should be kept with you at all times. Forget about the cash value – imagine arriving at your destination at night with your medication gone.
In short, anything that you really do not want to lose – put it in your hand luggage.
If you have something valuable that won't fit in your hand luggage, ask the airline if you can declare the additional value – and if they will cover it for loss or damage. If they won't help, then consider sending the item ahead of you by post.
Take these steps and you're almost guaranteed to have all your valuables with you when you arrive at your destination.
Are you covered for baggage loss?
A good travel insurance policy will cover you for baggage loss. Most providers, including starttravel.co.uk, will require a Property Irregularity Report to be completed.
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