Refund and Compensation for Lost Baggage
If you’ve had the unfortunate experience of losing your baggage during your trip, it’s important to know that you are entitled to appropriate compensation and reimbursement for any expenses incurred for purchasing clothing and essential items that were in the lost suitcase. With Rimborsoalvolo.it, we provide you with the information and resources you need to claim what you’re entitled to under the regulations on air passenger rights.
Help! My baggage is lost!
A suitcase is legally considered lost if after 21 days from arrival at destination it has not yet been returned to its owner.
The airline is always held responsible and is required to provide:
- Reimbursement for expenses incurred in purchasing clothing and other essential items to replace those in the lost baggage. The reimbursable amount depends on the situation and is limited to strictly necessary purchases (luxury items, even if present in the lost baggage, are not refundable).
- Compensation for lost baggage up to 1,000 SDR (Special Drawing Rights, a standard currency unit defined by the International Monetary Fund, approximately €1,164) in the case of airlines from the European Union and countries adhering to the Montreal Convention.
What to do if your baggage is lost?
The first step is to report the issue to the airport’s customer service desk (Lost and Found office) where you will be asked to:
- Provide a detailed description of the lost baggage, including any valuable items inside
- Fill out the claim form (P.I.R., Property Irregularity Report), where you will receive a unique code for the baggage and the procedure. This code will be used to track the status of the claim and for any future communication with the airline
If the baggage is not located after 21 days, you can submit a formal request for refund and compensation to the airline.
If the baggage is found and delivered before the 21-day period, you can submit a request for Request a refund
How to request a refund and compensation for lost baggage
1. Have the necessary documentation
To receive compensation for lost baggage and reimbursement for incurred expenses, you must first make sure you have the necessary documentation:
- PIR code (Property Irregularity Report), issued when filing the report at the Lost & Found office at the airport. This is a crucial document — without it, the claim cannot proceed, so make sure to request it before leaving the airport.
- Flight ticket (the airline’s confirmation email is sufficient)
- Boarding pass
- Baggage tag, issued when checking in your baggage at the airport
- A list of the baggage contents
- Receipts for clothing and other essential items purchased to replace your personal belongings contained in the lost baggage
2. Submit a formal claim to the airline
You can submit a formal claim for reimbursement and compensation for lost baggage if, after 21 days from the initial report, your baggage has still not been found. Even if the baggage is delivered after the 21-day period, regulations consider it lost, so you may still proceed with the claim.
In this case, it is recommended to submit the request via certified email (PEC) or registered mail with return receipt, to ensure proof of the submission date.
If the airline fails to respond to the complaint or offers inadequate compensation, you may seek legal assistance to enforce your rights.
Rimborsoalvolo.it can assist you both with the reimbursement request and with the compensation claim.
How we can help you with refund and compensation claims for lost baggage
Rimborsoalvolo.it acts on your behalf to help you obtain reimbursement for expenses and compensation for damage caused by lost baggage in accordance with the limits established by the Montreal Convention, which sets the maximum amount airlines are required to pay to affected passengers.
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