Baggage damage

According to Montreal Convention you can claim the repair or replacement of the baggage if the baggage is destroyed. If any items contained in the baggage are also affected their value is also recoverable to the extent that you present related evidence. Additionally, if the damage of any contained items resulted in your suffering of any kind you can claim moral damage as well.

The maximum overall claim is 1,131 SDR – around €1,362. Special Drawing Rights (SDR) is the currency created by the International Monetary Fund. As of August 1, 2018, the exchange rate was:

1 EUR = 0,83 SDR

1 USD = 0,71 SDR

You can follow the exchange rate here.

• While you are still at the airport, take photos of the damage of your baggage and any items contained therein and report the damage to the luggage desk of your operating carrier. Fill a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) and attach to is the photos of the damage. Keep a copy and note your PIR reference number as evidence of the timely notice of your complaint to the carrier.
• If you paid to replace damaged items contained in your baggage, keep all related receipts in order to use them for claiming your financial damage. Also, keep the receipt for the replacement of your destroyed baggage.
• Attention! In case you did not submit a PIR at the airport you have only 7 days from the delivery of your damaged baggage to make your complain to the carrier. Make sure that you create a full list of the description and value of the damaged baggage and the items contained in the baggage that were also damaged and attach all relevant receipts of the new items you had to buy, including invoices, bank or credit card statements.

Based on Montreal Convention you can claim your compensation for baggage damage within a period of 2 years reckoned from the date of arrival at your destination.

You may read the original text of Montreal Convention here.