One in three Brits experience luggage mishaps

New research by insurer, Aviva, reveals that more than one in three Brits (34%) have had their luggage go missing or get left behind while abroad^[1].^.

The study finds:

• 15% have lost luggage
• 10% have had luggage damaged in transit
• 8% accidentally left luggage behind
• 6% have had their items stolen 
• 6% were forced to leave items behind at the airport

According to the data, almost one in three (30%) Brits blamed their airline/travel provider for their lost or missing luggage. Just under a fifth (18%) admit to being distracted, with a further 17% forgetting about their luggage. 

Commonly lost items include clothing or shoes (30%), cosmetics or toiletries (18%) and small electronics such as chargers, power banks and adaptors (14%). The most expensive items for those who have lost or left them behind include gadgets (£464), camera and video equipment (£418) and jewellery/watches (£410).  

Other lost items include hair styling tools (9%) – costing £241 on average - and personal identification documents such as a driving licence (9%) or passport (8%), which cost an average of £253 to replace. In fact, Aviva travel data reveals that claims for emergency passports cost £429 on average last year^[2].

James Devereux, Travel Manager at Aviva, said: “Losing luggage is not only hugely inconvenient but can be expensive, so it’s worrying to see that almost one in ten never buy travel insurance.

“Travel insurance provides cover for many events, such as cancellation or medical expenses, but when taking out a policy, it’s important to check your documents to see whether you need to purchase an optional add-on known as ‘baggage’ or ‘belongings’ cover. This can offer protection if your luggage is lost, stolen, damaged or even delayed. In some cases, travel insurance can also cover the cost of essential items - such as clothing or toiletries - while you wait for your luggage, providing that you’re unable to recover these expenses from your airline or tour operator.

“It’s important to note that most policies will have a single item as well as a valuables limit, so it’s worth checking your policy documents to make sure you have the right level of cover in place. Gadgets or jewellery, for example, can be particularly high in value, so it could also be worth looking at your home insurance policy to see if you have Personal Belongings cover, which can protect personal items while away from home.”

What is baggage or belongings cover?

Baggage or belongings cover is usually an optional add-on to standard travel insurance at an additional cost, and helps to protect your personal belongings during your trip if they’re stolen, lost or damaged.

This can cover the cost of replacing essential items, or if your belongings or golf equipment are delayed by their transport provider on the outbound journey for more than 12 hours.

What is covered? 

With an Aviva Signature Travel policy, belongings cover will protect your belongings and valuables for up to £2,000 per person (with a £100 excess per person, per incident). This includes up to £400 on a single item, pair or set and a total valuables limit of £400 per person.

In addition to the £2,000 limit, a Signature Travel policy also provides cover for up to £500 for money (up to £100 if under 16 years old) and up to £1,500 for golf equipment.

What isn’t covered?

Your belongings won’t typically be covered if:

• It’s lost, damaged, or stolen because you weren’t keeping an eye on it, left it somewhere on purpose, or didn’t store it in a locked room or safe, or out of view such as in enclosed storage or in the boot of a locked vehicle.
• You don’t report your belongings stolen within 24 hours (or as soon as possible) to the police.
• Your possessions are held up or taken by customs or other officials.
• Not all items such as hearing aids or dental fittings are covered under this, so it’s worth double checking your policy for high-value items. 
• You fail to report lost, delayed or damaged luggage to your airline within the required timeframe. Time limits vary between airlines, so it's important to notify the airline and report any missing or damaged items as soon as possible.

Aviva’s top travel tips include:

Check your policy before you travel – Not all travel policies include baggage cover as standard, so it’s worth reading your policy documents to be sure. It’s also worth looking at your single item and valuables limits, as high‑value items such as gadgets and jewellery also often exceed this. 

Pack your essentials in your hand luggage - Keep must-have items like medication, travel documents, valuables, a phone charger, and a change of clothes with you in your cabin bag. That way, if your suitcase is delayed or lost, you’ll still have everything you need to get by comfortably until it’s returned.

Use a tracking device for peace of mind - Consider placing a small tracking device (like an AirTag or similar) in your luggage so you can keep tabs on its location throughout your journey. It can provide reassurance if your bag is delayed and help you share accurate details with airlines if it goes missing.

Check your home insurance - It could also be worth checking your home insurance policy to see if you have Personal Belongings cover for items while away from home. In some cases, home insurance policies can have higher limits, which might be more appropriate for high-value items.  

If your luggage is missing while in transit - Contact your airline or tour operator as soon as possible to report your missing bag. This is essential if you make a claim. In some cases, they will reimburse you for basic toiletries and other essential items while you wait for your luggage, so make sure you keep hold of any receipts. If you find that your airline provider or tour operator is being unresponsive, you may be able to make a claim on your travel insurance instead. 

If your luggage is damaged while in transit - Contact your airline or tour operator straight away and take plenty of photos, as well as making a note of the damage caused. Again, if you’re unable to recover the costs for damaged items from your airline or tour operator, you might be able to make a claim on your travel insurance.

If your items get stolen - Make sure you report the theft to the local police within 24 hours - this is crucial if you need to make a claim. If important documents – such as a driving licence or passport – have been stolen, contact your insurer, who can help guide you through the process of applying for an emergency passport. In some cases, your travel insurance may cover the cost of a temporary passport itself, which according to our research costs £253 on average. If you need to buy essentials such as toiletries or clothing, keep hold of all receipts as these could also be covered by a travel insurance policy.

Keep hold of receipts – While you wouldn’t be covered for items that are confiscated at the airport – such as liquids or toiletries over the permitted amount – travel insurance can provide cover for lost, stolen or damaged items providing that you are able to provide supporting documentary evidence or proof of purchase.

-ends- 

References:

^1. _{Research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 Nationally Representative UK respondents (Aged 18+). The data was collected between 13.02.2026 - 16.02.2026. [↑]}

^2. _{Aviva travel claims data 2025. [↑]}

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