Claiming For Damaged Suitcases.

[kloofnek]

I have recently come back from holidays...on the way out my case was damaged,the handle where you pull it along (irreparable).
This is not the first time I had this happened, the other was a soft case and the top of it was half ripped off...when I got to my hotel several garments were missing.I had changed planes three times ,so did not know exactly it occurred.I did look as how one claimed ...but it was really messy.

So,now I have bought a new expensive one and am worried about any mishaps in the future.It is not always possible to have them plastic wrapped.

Has anyone on AB ever claimed for damaged luggage?

[dzug2]

Yes - successfully. As you say the procedure is messy.

The sutcase damaged was one of a set of 3 - they paid up the full price for the three on the original receipt

[kloofnek]

So where did you claim ...to the airline?

[dzug2]

Yes - to the airline. You need to have put in a report at the first airport you noticed the damage.

I suspect an insurance company would make the same stipulation

How strictly they stick to that - pass.

In my case the case was missing on arrival - turned up a few days later by courier when the damage was noticed. I suspect someone had ripped it open, saw only dirty washing and gave up. Only thing missing was a bar of soap that had probably dropped out. Put in a Sainsburys receipt with soap on it asnd was paid that too.

[kloofnek]

I spoke to my home contents insurance this morning as I have an extra one mine which covers things stolen or damaged outside the home ..don`t mean outbuildings etc.But that does not cover the suitcases damaged by airline or airport baggage carriers...who do treat suitcases awful...seen them throw them onto the plane conveyor belt...no wonder there is damage done.
I will make sure I keep receipts etc.although one does not have for everything...as I did not have for the clothing I lost in the first incident I had.

It is good to know that one does get results by claiming.Thank you for your imput.Have a nice day.

[Brinjal]

Yes you have to lodge a complaint and claim at the airport first. A real pain in the drain but if you want to be compensated then you have to have patience and follow the procedures.