Luggage insurance is among the best-selling – and most-criticised – travel policies. The reason: much of what it promises is already covered elsewhere, and in the event of a claim, entitlements often fail due to strict obligations. As an independent broker, we tell you honestly when it pays off – and when it doesn't.
For loss, damage or delay of checked luggage, the airline is liable up to the international maximum – details and deadlines in the guide Lost Luggage: Compensation.
The innkeeper is also obliged: anyone who commercially accommodates strangers "has to compensate the damage" a guest suffers through loss or damage of brought-in items (source: Section 701 BGB, gesetze-im-internet.de, translated) – regardless of fault. The liability is capped, however: at one hundred times the daily room rate, at least 600 and at most 3,500 euros, for money and valuables up to 800 euros (source: Section 702 BGB, gesetze-im-internet.de, translated); for items given into safekeeping, the hotel is liable without limit.
Good household policies cover your belongings for limited periods also when travelling – e.g. burglary of the hotel room or robbery. Simple theft (the unattended backpack on the beach), however, is not covered here either.
Precisely in the everyday scenario – theft on the go – strict obligations apply: luggage quickly counts as "unattended", valuables are only covered to a limited extent and often only when kept close to the body or in a safe, and reimbursement is at current value, not the new price. Many rejected claims are based on these clauses. Result: for standard trips with normal luggage, the policy is rarely worth its money – existing liabilities and household contents cover the essentials.
Long-term travellers without (continuing) household contents insurance – e.g. after dissolving their flat for a world trip – genuinely have a gap: here a luggage module in a long-term package can make sense. For expensive sports and photo equipment, specialist policies (camera/sports equipment insurance) are the better choice over the classic luggage policy. We soberly calculate what pays off in your case.
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Only to a limited extent: conditions like a locked vehicle, contents not visible and daytime windows are usual. Luggage stored in the car overnight is practically never covered.
Valuables are subject to sub-limits (often 50% of the sum insured) and strict safekeeping rules. Specialist policies are more sensible for high-quality tech.
Report theft immediately to the local police, secure proofs and receipts, observe the policy's deadlines – and submit the claim via /schadenmeldung; we handle the communication.
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Sources: Section 701 BGB – Liability of the innkeeper, gesetze-im-internet.de · Section 702 BGB – Limitation of liability; valuables, gesetze-im-internet.de · Updated: 2026
