Lost bags and travel delay

As the summer holiday season hots up, don't allow luggage mountains, airlines going bust or airport delays spoil your day. Stuff of nightmares perhaps but the recent the baggage chaos at Heathrow Terminal 5 is still a vivid enough memory to show what can happen.

Although much is outside the direct control of the travelling public, you can go some way to help youself by following some basic simple rules. Such as, clearly tag your baggage. This should include your name, your flight number, your departure and arrival destinations and the date of your flight. A good suggestion is to place your name and address inside the top of your suitcase just in case it needs to be opened by baggage handlers should your luggage be lost when in transit.

Do make sure that, if you lose your bags, you get a Property Irregularity Report from your carrier, preferably before you leave the airport. If your bags still don't turn up, then you should get a letter from the airline stating that they are irretrievably lost as you will need this to make a claim for the lost items.

If you suffer delay to your flight once you get to the airport, then do get written confirmation from your airline as to the reasons for and the length of the delay in case a travel insurance claim is necessary. Do keep receipts of any expenses you are forced to make as a result of a delay and approach your airline for compensation for accommodation, meals and refreshments.If your flight is cancelled, ask your airline for a refund or an alternative flight.

Lost baggage and travel delay are key components of most travel insurance policies but do shop around before buying and do check the terms and conditions to ensure there are no exclusions that could affect you. Travel insurance is there to assist when it goes wrong so it makes sense to have some cover in place whenever you travel.