A trip that started off great with the purchase of cheap airplane tickets or cheap vacation packages can turn frustrating if your airline loses your baggage.
Airlines flying domestic routes are liable to pay up to $3,300 per person for bags which are lost or damaged. On most international flights, baggage liability is limited to about nine dollars per pound for checked bags, meaning a 30 lb bag only generates $270 in coverage.
Given the very limited coverage of bags going overseas, it often makes sense to look into purchasing additional coverage referred to as excess valuation (EV coverage). Many airlines will cover up to $1,700 above the federally mandated $3,300 on domestic flights if you declare excess value when you check your bags and pay for additional protection. Although the cost varies significantly by airline, it usually cost $10 per $1,000 of coverage.
United charges five times what most airlines charge. Coverage, depending on the airline, often covers you in the event of total loss but not damage to the contents or to the bag itself.
If you would like EV coverage when flying internationally, you should ask about it at the airport check in counter or at a local airlines sales office before your trip.
Remember if you have to file a claim, airlines typically try to depreciate the value of your loss and require receipts to prove your claim. Airlines usually exclude coverage for fragile, valuable and business items, such as electronics, jewelry, cash, art work, and business related documents and samples. www.cheapfares.com