Skip to content
港險通Hong Kong Insurance Connect
Ask a broker

Information, not advice; we refer to a licensed Hong Kong broker.

Damaged or delayed bags: airline or travel insurer?

Hong Kong Insurance Connect: Notify the airline and travel insurer promptly, keeping separate deadlines and evidence. Applicable carrier liability and policy benefits follow different rules; ask how airline recovery affects your insurance claim. [C1, C2, C3] Checked on .

Checked on · Public sources; general information, not advice.

What airline limit may apply to checked baggage?

For carriage covered by the Montreal Convention, Hong Kong’s Transport and Logistics Bureau announced a baggage-liability limit of 1,519 Special Drawing Rights per passenger from . This concerns destruction, loss, damage or delay; it is not an automatic payment of the full limit. Confirm which regime applies to your itinerary and incident. [C1, C2]

What should I do before leaving the airport?

Report the damage or missing bag to the airline and retain the Property Irregularity Report. Keep baggage tags, photographs, proof of value and receipts for necessary purchases. The UK aviation regulator warns that a report does not guarantee an accepted claim. Also ask your insurer which records and notifications the policy requires. [C2, C3, C4]

Which written-claim deadlines should I check?

The Canadian Transportation Agency’s guidance specifies a damage claim within 7 days of receiving baggage and an international-flight delay claim within 21 days of receiving the delayed baggage. Confirm the applicable convention and procedure for your route. These notice periods do not replace policy deadlines or any legal-action deadline; seek legal advice if timing or treaty coverage is disputed. [C2, C4]

How should I coordinate the airline and insurer?

Send each the requested evidence and keep the airline’s written decision and payment breakdown. Ask the insurer whether it needs an airline claim first, how another payment affects reimbursement and whether accepting a settlement affects recovery rights. IA says benefits and limits depend on policy terms. This page establishes no universal claim order, full replacement payment or individual settlement amount. [C2, C3]

What do readers ask?

Is 1,519 Special Drawing Rights a guaranteed payment?

No. It is the stated per-passenger baggage-liability limit for applicable carriage. [C1, C2]

Is that amount in Hong Kong dollars?

No. Special Drawing Rights are an international monetary unit. [C1]

Does the limit apply separately to every suitcase?

The Bureau states a per-passenger baggage limit. [C1]

Is an airport report enough to secure compensation?

No. Retain it and submit the written claim and evidence. [C2]

When should a damage claim be filed?

The cited guidance specifies within 7 days of receiving baggage; confirm applicability. [C4]

When should an international-delay claim be filed?

The cited guidance specifies within 21 days of receiving delayed baggage; confirm applicability. [C4]

Can I assume travel insurance pays the full replacement price?

No. Read the policy’s settlement basis and limits, and disclose airline recovery when asking about coordination. [C3]

Where can I read more or ask a process question?

How do claims from overseas work? Which documents should I retain for Hong Kong insurance? Country guides Trust checks Historical fulfillment ratios Life-stage hub Ask a general process question

We provide information and referrals to a licensed Hong Kong broker; regulated advice and arrangements belong with that broker. Mainland visitors must sign in Hong Kong. Do not send identity, tax or medical documents through the general enquiry form. [C9]

General information, not advice.

Where are the sources?

Checked on . Public official sources; linked documents remain on their publishers’ sites.

Information, not advice; we refer to a licensed Hong Kong broker.

Enquiry form