Lost luggage? Household contents insurance can help

Due to the uncertain situation and travel warnings caused by the coronavirus pandemic, many Swiss want to take their vacation in Switzerland and travel by train or car. But what happens if luggage gets lost or is damaged? No worries: In these cases, your household contents insurance steps in.

Coronavirus has upset the plans of many holidaymakers. Many already canceled their planned air travel weeks ago and are now planning to spend their summer vacation on Lake Maggiore, in the Bernese Oberland or the Engadine.

But who pays for the “damage” if a suitcase or sports equipment goes missing when traveling by car or train? If you have taken out household contents insurance with the correct additional cover, you at least don't have to worry about the financial aspect and can enjoy your vacation in peace.

What does household contents insurance cover?

What many people don’t know: Apart from existential risks concerning your own home, household contents insurance also steps in if mobile phones, cameras, laptops, accompanied or checked luggage  are stolen, go missing or are damaged when you’re traveling . Exciting for anyone who would like to travel in their own or in a hire car: At AXA, basic cover also includes theft from a vehicle. As everyone living in the same household can be insured together, this insurance makes sense for large families in particular.

Important: You must have chosen the correct additional cover when taking out the insurance in order for household contents insurance to cover the claim.  “Theft away from home”  additional insurance covers any theft that does not involve burglary or robbery. For example if your video camera is stolen from your rucksack or your road bike is stolen from the roof rack of your car.

How do I insure my expensive equipment for my vacation?

In Switzerland it’s usual for theft away from the home to be covered for up to CHF 2,000 , but in some circumstances this amount may be too low. If you take an expensive e-bike, a valuable camera or luxury watch on vacation with you, these should ideally have additional insurance, such as “all-round protection” from AXA. This way, the insured amount for theft can be increased and the items also covered against any kind of loss and damage. This means that your favorite item is not only insured on vacation but anytime and anywhere.

And what if your luggage doesn’t arrive?

Sensible additional insurance: “Luggage all-round protection” also helps if a suitcase is missing upon arrival and you suddenly find yourself without any clothes, toiletries etc. The additional insurance makes an advance payment of CHF 1,000 for you to buy replacement personal travel necessities. An additional benefit is that your luggage is also insured against accidental loss and damage (e.g. camera defect due to leaking shampoo).