To protect your baggage from loss, theft, damage, or delay
Even if you’ve wisely chosen not to keep valuables in your baggage, your personal items are still important to you. They make you feel at home and gives you a sense of security. If something goes wrong with your baggage, you can save yourself a lot of time and trouble if you have protection. All Volunteer Card plans include coverage for baggage and personal effects loss as well as baggage delay. For more information, refer to the descriptions of coverage here.
Coverage
Baggage & Personal Effects Loss
Your protection plan will reimburse you for loss, theft, or damage to your baggage, personal effects, passports, credit cards, and visas during your trip (up to the maximum limit of your plan). Volunteer Card protection plan will either reimburse you for the actual cash value of the item, less depreciation of the item.
We strongly recommend keeping your valuables and electronics with you, and not in your luggage!
Baggage Delay
If your baggage is delayed or misdirected for more than 24 hours, you will be reimbursed for the purchase of clothing and personal articles (up to the maximum limit of your plan). You must provide receipts for purchases and a written statement from the travel supplier at fault.
Procedure
Before you leave:
1. Take a photo inventory of everything in your bag.
2. Use TSA-approved locks.
3. Keep your most valuable possessions with you.
4. Gather original receipts for your items if you have them.
If your baggage is lost or stolen, you must:
1. Immediately contact the hotel or tour manager, transportation official, or local police. Report occurrence and obtain a written statement.
2. If the loss is the fault of a common carrier (i.e. airline), first submit a claim to them.
3. Provide a copy of the outcome of your claim, the written loss statement, as well as any original receipts to Trip Mate.
Also, check out our tips on avoiding claims issues and instructions on making a claim.
