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Lost suitcase – who pays for the damage?

2022-07-06T10:30:20.874Z


Your suitcase doesn't turn up after the flight, is it damaged or arrives late? This can be annoying, so you should exercise your rights.


Your suitcase doesn't turn up after the flight, is it damaged or arrives late?

This can be annoying, so you should exercise your rights.

If the suitcase refuses to show up at the baggage carousel after landing or if the piece of luggage has suffered damage, this is not a good start to the holiday for most people.

Therefore, you should act quickly so that you are reimbursed for the value of the contents of your suitcase or the cost of items that you must buy as replacements at the holiday destination.

Baggage Lost or Damaged After Flight: What You Should Do Now

As soon as you notice the damage or loss, you should report it directly to the airport.

To do this, fill out the so-called

Property Irregularity Report (PIR)

at the counter.

This serves as proof that the airline is actually responsible for the damage or loss, as the European Consumer Center (EVZ) Germany explains according to the German Press Agency (dpa).

Please have the baggage label from check-in ready.

Package travelers should also fill out the PIR and notify the tour operator immediately - this will allow you to claim a reduction later.

In addition, those affected should also report the loss or damage in writing.

The following deadlines apply:

  • Baggage delayed

    : report the damage in writing to the airline within 21 days of receipt of the baggage.

  • Baggage lost or damaged

    : report the damage in writing to the airline within 7 days.

The Hamburg consumption center also advises asking for an “emergency kit” directly at the airport.

Many airlines would offer this to their guests.

+

Baggage loss occurs again and again at airports.

© Stefan Zeitz/Imago

What are airline passengers entitled to if their baggage is lost, delayed or damaged?

If your suitcase arrives late at your holiday destination, you usually have to get the most important items on site - for example a toothbrush, pajamas or underwear.

The airline bears the costs for such purchases, provided they are really necessary and not overpriced.

In the case of purchased clothing, the price is usually only reimbursed for half, as this can still be worn, as the EVZ explains.

In order to get the money back later, you should keep all receipts.

The delayed suitcase will then be taken directly to the accommodation.

If this is not the case, you can also claim back the travel costs to the airport from the airline.

The situation is different if the luggage is delivered with a little delay on the journey home.

If the baggage is still not found after 21 days, it is considered lost.

In this case, there is a claim for compensation for a

maximum amount of currently 1,700 euros per passenger

, as the dpa learned from consumer advocates.

Not only replacement purchases are refunded, but also items that have been lost or damaged.

According to the Hamburg consumption center, only the value of the lost luggage at the time of travel will be reimbursed.

Sometimes airlines only pay flat daily rates.

Valuables such as jewellery, money or laptops are also excluded.

These belong in hand luggage together with medication.

In order to avoid problems with the reimbursement, it can be worth taking pictures of the contents of the suitcase from the outset and having proof of purchase ready.

Well taken care of on the go: This belongs in the first-aid kit

Well taken care of on the go: This belongs in the first-aid kit

Is luggage insurance worth it?

As a rule, luggage insurance is only worthwhile if the value of the luggage is above the liability limit of 1,700 euros.

Read the policy very carefully before taking out insurance, because the requirements for reimbursement are usually very narrow.

(fk)

List of rubrics: © Stefan Zeitz/Imago

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-07-06

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