Airlines asked to reduce risk
In addition, it has criticised some airlines for not properly compensating their passengers when luggage is lost. Perry Wilson, founder of the insurer, said: "Lost luggage is now the second most common travel insurance claim we receive after those for medical treatment abroad. We estimate that UK travel insurers receive 45 claims for lost luggage every hour and just over 1,000 a day." InsureandGo's figures show that UK-based travel insurance companies receive over 33,000 claims for lost or stolen luggage every month, but if the predicted increase in the number of air passengers comes to pass over the next decade, the number of lost bags could rise to 53,000 a month by 2019. Wilson continued: "We believe airlines need to do more to reduce the chances of losing their passengers' luggage and they should be more open about what they are doing in this area. We are concerned that as many airlines announce operational losses or significantly reduced profits in the current global economic downtown, they could look to cut back on their investment into reducing the number of bags they lose, and the problem could get worse." He added that nearly £38 million was paid out by travel insurers in the UK for claims relating to lost or stolen baggage in 2008 'the hope is that by airlines taking more responsibility for passengers' bags, the figure will drop.
In addition, it has criticised some airlines for not properly compensating their passengers when luggage is lost. Perry Wilson, founder of the insurer, said: "Lost luggage is now the second most common travel insurance claim we receive after those for medical treatment abroad. We estimate that UK travel insurers receive 45 claims for lost luggage every hour and just over 1,000 a day." InsureandGo's figures show that UK-based travel insurance companies receive over 33,000 claims for lost or stolen luggage every month, but if the predicted increase in the number of air passengers comes to pass over the next decade, the number of lost bags could rise to 53,000 a month by 2019.
Wilson continued: "We believe airlines need to do more to reduce the chances of losing their passengers' luggage and they should be more open about what they are doing in this area. We are concerned that as many airlines announce operational losses or significantly reduced profits in the current global economic downtown, they could look to cut back on their investment into reducing the number of bags they lose, and the problem could get worse." He added that nearly £38 million was paid out by travel insurers in the UK for claims relating to lost or stolen baggage in 2008 'the hope is that by airlines taking more responsibility for passengers' bags, the figure will drop.