Travel insurance more important now than ever before

In 2007, 42.4 million bags were lost,making travel insurance necessary

Travel Insurance News - 24/04/2008

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A new study has recently revealed how many bags were lost, delayed or mishandled by airports and airlines in 2007. The rates are surprisingly high, especially since they measure a period before the opening of Heathrow’s Terminal 5, when many travelers found themselves separated from their bags and wishing they had purchased travel insurance before flying.

According to SITA, a group which tracks passenger luggage on an international scale, 42.4 million bags were either lost, mishandled or delayed by airlines or airports in 2007.

The study identifies baggage mishandling as the main problem facing passengers and their luggage in 2007 with 49 per cent of all problems that year attributed to mishandling. Although it is still a serious problem, mishandling has actually improved since 2005, when it accounted for 61 per cent of all problems.

Francesco Violante, chief executive of SITA, said: "It is important that we continue to move towards a comprehensive, fully-integrated global baggage management system that can direct, track and trace passenger baggage throughout the entire journey from check-in to final delivery at the destination."

While airlines and airports must continue to work hard to improve their baggage handling procedures, the statistics illustrate that passengers, no matter if they are flying from Heathrow or another airport, can not afford to travel without insurance which protects them from baggage lost, damage or theft.

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