ITA Lost Baggage Compensation: How to Claim Reimbursement for Damaged & Delayed Bags
What do you do when you’ve landed at your final destination only to discover that your checked baggage is lost or damaged? Baggage mishandling is a fairly common problem, but fortunately, you are entitled to compensation from airlines like ITA. In this article we’re going to take you through all the steps you need to take if you encounter this situation. We’re also going to explain your passenger rights and how much compensation you could get for ITA lost baggage.
Key Points
- You can get up to approximately €1599 in compensation for ITA lost baggage.
- An international treaty called the Montreal Convention protects your rights as an air passenger.
- If you want to claim compensation from ITA for lost or damaged baggage then you have to follow specific guidelines or your claim could be denied.
What are Your Air Passenger Rights?
Many people don’t realise that they have air passenger rights that protect them in the case of baggage mishandling. Thankfully, the Montreal Convention, signed in 1999, protects passengers when their baggage is lost, damaged, and delayed. Part of its rules state that airlines are required to compensate their passengers up to roughly €1,599 for baggage mishandling.
But while airlines like ITA are required to do this, they don’t go out of their way to make the compensation automatically available to you. Instead, you have to take very specific steps in order to get the compensation you deserve. Moreover, if you don’t file your report and claim within the specified time period, then your claim could be denied.
Report and Claim Compensation for ITA Lost Baggage
Step 1: Report your missing baggage
- Perhaps the most important step is to report your missing luggage immediately. Simply locate the ITA lost baggage counter that can usually be found in the baggage reclaim area.
- Once you locate it, you will be given a Property Irregularity Report to complete. Also, called a PIR, this report is vital to the claims process, so be sure to retain a copy and the number associated with it.
Step 2: Purchase essentials
Whether your baggage is delayed or lost, you’ll probably need to buy some items like toiletries, clothing, etc. ITA understands this, so you can file your expenditures as part of your claim. Just remember to keep all your receipts.
Step 3: Wait for up to 21 days
After you make your ITA lost baggage report, you will have to wait for an airline representative to contact you about whether your bags have been found. But while you wait, you can track the status of your lost baggage on the ITA Worldtracer page.
File an ITA Airways Lost Baggage Compensation Claim
The rules of the Montreal Convention state that baggage is officially lost if it has been delayed or missing for 21 days. So if you have waited this long, then you can begin the compensation claim process.
To file a lost baggage compensation claim with ITA, you must send the following information:
- A letter describing your lost baggage situation, including as much information and details as possible.
- A copy of your PIR
- Your flight information and booking receipt
- Any receipts for the purchases you had to make for necessities
Email this to: complaints@ita-airways.com
When you finish this step, then you wait for an airline representative to contact you about their decision. Be prepared to wait as long as a month, but you can also follow up with them to check the status of your claim.
How Much ITA Compensation Can I Get
As we mentioned above, ITA Airways is required to compensate you up to approximately €1,599 for baggage mishandling as long as you follow the reporting and compensation claim guidelines. Baggage compensation claims are denied most often because passengers fail to comply with the reporting and filing guidelines. So, be sure to take these steps within the required time frames.
Deadlines for ITA Lost and Damaged Baggage Compensation Claims
If you’ve made your damaged and lost baggage reports, then be sure to file your claim within the following time frames to avoid having it denied by the airline.
Report and Claim Compensation for ITA Airways Damaged Baggage
If you find that your ITA checked baggage has been damaged, then you need to take these steps as soon as you notice the damage.
- Find the ITA baggage desk and file a damaged baggage report.
- You’ll be given a Property Irregularity Report to complete, so when you do, keep a copy and the PIR number.
- Take photos of the damaged items so you can back up your claim.
If you need to buy essentials as a result of your baggage being damaged, remember to keep your receipts.
Once you make your report, ITA can have your damaged baggage either repaired or replaced. If you choose to have it repaired, get a detailed report of the damage as well as a receipt so you can send it in for compensation.
Documents for Your ITA Airways Damaged Baggage Compensation Claim
- Property Irregularity Report
- Photos of the damaged baggage
- Receipts for essentials
- Receipts for baggage repair
- Proof of airline ticket purchase
About ITA Airways
ITA Airlines is the largest carrier in Italy and owned by the Italian government. It has a fleet of 80 aircraft and flies to 70 destinations worldwide.
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