Schengen Insurance with Luggage Protection Guarantee

Date: 22/07/2026

Lost or delayed luggage can quickly make any trip complicated and expensive. This is exactly why the luggage insurance is an important component of AXA Schengen’s Schengen visa insurance.

Depending on the plan, the cover is already included (AXA Premium and AXA Annual) or can be flexibly added as an optional extra (AXA Basic and AXA Essential). This allows you to tailor the insurance coverage to each trip.

This article explains briefly and clearly when the cover applies and why it is useful for many travelers.

33 million missing bags worldwide: the problem is bigger in Europe than elsewhere

Luggage issues are particularly common in Europe! In total, 33.4 million pieces of luggage worldwide were affected – in Europe alone, more than 10 million per year. Of these, 74% are delays, 18% damage to luggage and 8% lost or stolen luggage (SITA study). Problems arise particularly often during flight connections – almost half of all cases are due to this.

Contents:

• Is luggage insurance useful: yes or no
• Luggage cover and luggage delay with AXA Schengen
• All AXA Schengen policies with luggage insurance
• Luggage insurance: comparison table by product
• Taking out luggage insurance with AXA Schengen
• Choosing the right AXA Schengen insurance
• Procedure in the event of a claim
• Additional benefits with AXA Schengen
• FAQ

Is luggage insurance useful?

Whether luggage insurance is useful depends mainly on the type of trip and your personal need for security. In many cases, however, it is a practical and reassuring addition – especially when considering the number of missing or delayed pieces of luggage at European airports.

The cover is particularly useful for:

• Trips with connections, where the risk of luggage being lost increases
• Long-haul flights or international trips to the Schengen Area
• Travelers with valuable or extensive equipment
• Individuals who rely on specific items (e.g. medication)

So if you want to travel with peace of mind and avoid unexpected costs, luggage insurance is a worthwhile investment in many cases.

What does AXA Schengen’s luggage insurance offer?

The luggage insurance is an additional module of AXA’s Schengen visa insurance and protects your luggage on trips within Europe. It applies in particular when pieces of luggage arrive late, are lost or are damaged during the trip.

1 - Luggage cover

• Protection in case of accidental loss, theft or damage to your luggage
• Reimbursement of replacement costs up to the maximum amounts defined in the benefit table
• A prerequisite for compensation is the submission of original receipts or proof of ownership
• Benefits already received under the “luggage delay” category are deducted from the final compensation

2 - Luggage delay

• Compensation if checked-in luggage on the outbound journey is delayed by at least 4 hours
• Payment up to the maximum amounts defined in the benefit table
• Coverage of emergency purchases such as clothing, medication and toiletries
• Requirement: luggage is not returned within 4 hours after arrival

Depending on the plan, this cover is already included or can be flexibly added as an optional extra. This ensures that travelers are not left to bear the costs in the event of luggage problems.

In which AXA Schengen policies is luggage insurance included?

Luggage insurance with AXA Schengen is not automatically included in all products and varies depending on the chosen plan.

AXA Premium: luggage insurance up to €2,000
In the AXA Premium policy, luggage insurance is already included as standard and therefore provides comprehensive cover in case of loss, damage or delay of luggage.

• Luggage cover up to €2,000
• Luggage delay up to €500

AXA Annual: luggage insurance up to €500
In AXA Schengen’s annual AXA Annual policy, luggage insurance is also already included and provides cover for loss and damage up to an amount of €500.

• Luggage cover up to €500 (amount can optionally be increased up to €4,000)
• Luggage delay optionally addable up to €500

AXA Essential: luggage insurance optionally addable
In the AXA Essential insurance, luggage cover is not automatically included. However, you can flexibly extend the insurance.

• Optional luggage cover up to €1,700, bookable individually
• Optional luggage delay cover up to €500, bookable

This allows travelers to decide whether they prefer basic cover or want to extend their plan with luggage cover.

AXA Basic: luggage insurance optionally addable
In the AXA Basic insurance, luggage cover is not automatically included. It can, however, be flexibly added as an additional option in order to tailor the insurance coverage to individual needs.

• Optional luggage cover up to €500, bookable individually
• No luggage delay cover

Luggage insurance: comparison by product

💡 Tip: Use our table to compare all benefits of the individual insurance plans yourself.

Which Schengen insurance with luggage insurance should you choose – which product suits you?

The main plans – AXA Basic, AXA Essential, AXA Annual and AXA Premium – differ primarily in the amount of minimum medical coverage and in the additional benefits. Here is a brief overview of the different policies:

AXA Basic – affordable basic insurance with flexible options

• Coverage amount: up to €30,000 for emergency treatments and hospital stays
• Luggage cover for theft, loss or damage not included but optionally addable up to €500
• Meets the minimum requirements for a Schengen visa
• Repatriation of the insured person and return of luggage included
• Suitable for stays of up to 180 days in the Schengen Area as well as the European microstates San Marino, Andorra, Monaco and Vatican City

AXA Essential – insurance for budget-conscious travelers in Europe

• Coverage amount: up to €100,000: extended coverage in case of more serious illnesses or accidents. Higher reimbursement limits for hospital costs and medical services.
• Luggage insurance not included but optionally addable up to €1,700; luggage delay cover not included but addable up to €500
• Repatriation of the insured person and return of luggage included
• Suitable for short stays of up to 180 days in all Schengen countries, EU countries (as well as European microstates) and in the United Kingdom.

AXA Premium – best all-round protection

• Coverage amount: up to €2,000,000: high coverage amount for all types of medical emergencies. Also covers the costs of complex treatments, longer hospital stays and expensive procedures.
• Luggage insurance included up to €2,000; luggage delay cover up to €500
• Repatriation of the insured person and return of luggage included
• Suitable for short stays of up to 180 days in all Schengen countries, EU countries (as well as European microstates) and in the United Kingdom.
• Particularly suitable for older travelers or individuals with a high need for security

AXA Annual – for frequent travelers

• Coverage amount: up to €100,000: extended coverage in case of more serious illnesses or accidents.
• Luggage insurance included up to €500; luggage delay cover optionally addable
• Repatriation of the insured person and return of luggage included
• Annual insurance: covers any number of trips of up to 90 days within one year
• Ideal protection also for holders of a Schengen visa with multiple entries
• Valid in all Schengen countries, EU countries (as well as European microstates) and in the United Kingdom.

Tip: Do you want to know exactly which countries are covered? Take a look at oura href="https://www.axa-schengen.com/de/reiseversicherung/schengen">overview of the insured countries.

How to take out luggage insurance with AXA Schengen

Taking out luggage insurance as part of the Schengen visa insurance is simple and can be done quickly online.

1 – Choose the right product:

• AXA Premium / AXA Annual → luggage insurance already included
• AXA Basic / AXA Essential → luggage cover optionally addable

2 – Complete the process online in just a few minutes:
The entire process is digital and involves no complicated steps. If you wish, you can first obtain your free quote here.

3 – Receive your insurance confirmation immediately:
Directly after completing your purchase, you will receive your insurance certificate – ideal for your visa application.

What should you do if your luggage is lost or delayed?

With AXA Schengen, you can submit your claim easily online. All you need are the requested documents, which are listed below.

1 – In case of luggage loss or damage

• If loss, theft or damage occurs at the hotel, with authorities or transport companies:
  • Report the incident in writing without delay
  • Obtain a police report within 24 hours
• In case of problems with the airline:
  • Request a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) directly at the airport
  • Submit a written claim to the airline within the specified time limit
  • Be sure to keep a copy of the claim

What you need to submit:

• Police report: In case of loss or theft of your luggage, a police report confirming that you reported the incident to the police within 24 hours of discovering the loss
• Confirmation from the airline: In case of loss or damage caused by the carrier, please obtain a damage report and a letter from the airline confirming the loss. Please also keep all luggage tags if possible.
• Damage report in case of damage: A damage report and a cost estimate for the repair of the damaged items. Also keep any damaged items that can no longer be repaired, as they may need to be inspected.
• Proof of costs: Original receipts for additional accommodation and travel costs

Important for reporting a claim: Always keep travel tickets and luggage tags, as they are required to assess your claim.

2 – In case of luggage delay

• A written confirmation from the airline stating the duration of the delay is required
• Have a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) issued at the airport
• Only actually incurred additional costs that have not already been covered by the carrier will be reimbursed
• In case of subsequent permanent loss of luggage, any compensation already paid will be deducted from the final benefit under the luggage cover

What you need to submit:

• Damage confirmation (Property Irregularity Report – PIR) from the carrier or handling agent
• Letter from the airline stating the reason and duration of the delay and the time at which the items were handed over to you.
• Original individual receipts for any emergency purchases.

Good to know: Always keep travel tickets and luggage tags, as they are required when you report a claim.

What additional benefits does AXA Schengen offer?

The AXA Schengen travel insurance goes beyond simply covering the cost of repatriation to the home country. Travelers benefit from additional services that make their stay abroad significantly safer and more comfortable.

1. 24/7 medical assistance

• Available around the clock for medical advice, hospital referrals and emergency assistance
• Helps with language barriers, finding specialists or obtaining second medical opinions.
• Remote medical consultation via the “Doctor Please” app

2. Daily hospital allowance

• In the AXA Essential, AXA Premium and AXA Annual plans, you receive a flat-rate allowance of €50 for each day spent in hospital.

3. Safety in medical emergencies in Europe

• Whether accident or sudden illness – the AXA repatriation guarantee ensures that you are returned to your home country in an emergency.
• We make sure that you can quickly return to an appropriate medical environment in your home country.

4. Support with authorities and formalities

• AXA Assistance supports you in contact with clinics, authorities and embassies, if needed.

5. Additional insurance for damage to third parties and in case of disability or death

• Personal liability for bodily injury or property damage during the trip up to €10,000
• Cover in case of permanent disability or death up to €10,000

6. Optional cover, in some plans also included

• Luggage insurance (loss, theft, damage, delayed delivery)
• Search and rescue costs
• Increase of maximum reimbursement limits for medical costs

7. Insurance certificate issued immediately

• Immediate dispatch of the insurance certificate by email after completion of the AXA Schengen insurance online, recognised by all embassies and consulates
• Simply attach it to the visa application and present it to medical staff if necessary to simplify formalities and speed up cost coverage

8. Special support for solo travelers

If you have taken out AXA Essential, AXA Annual or AXA Premium, we organise and pay for the round trip of a relative. This relative can visit you if you are travelling alone and are admitted to hospital for more than 5 days (2 days if the person concerned is under 18 years of age).

We additionally cover:

• the accommodation costs for this person in a local hotel (up to €75 per night, max. €750)
• We provide this person with AXA Schengen travel insurance “AXA Basic” for the duration of the stay, up to a maximum of 15 days.

9. Insurance 100% refundable in case of visa refusal

• Submit your request online together with the official refusal letter to receive a full refund.

You may also be interested in these articles

• Schengen insurance compared: which insurance should you choose?
• How much does insurance for a Schengen visa cost?
• EU and Europe check: terms explained simply

FAQ

Is luggage insurance included in every Schengen visa insurance?

No, not always. With AXA Schengen, however, it is included in AXA Premium and AXA Annual, and optionally addable for AXA Basic and AXA Essential.

When does luggage insurance pay out?

It pays out in the event of loss, theft, damage or delayed delivery, provided the conditions are met (for example, proof as described earlier in this article).

What is not covered by the luggage insurance?

The following are not covered, for example:

• unattended luggage
• normal wear and tear
• negligent behaviour

From when is luggage considered delayed?

As a rule, when it has not been delivered at least 4 hours after arrival – at AXA Schengen, these are the conditions.

Is the full value of my luggage reimbursed?

Yes, but only up to the maximum amounts contractually defined in the insurance plan. For AXA Premium up to €2,000, for AXA Annual up to €500, for AXA Essential up to €1,700 (if added), for AXA Basic up to €500 (if added).

What proof do I need in the event of a claim?

• Purchase receipts or proof of ownership
• Flight tickets and luggage tags
• Confirmation from the airline or police