New service to help claim full compensation for lost luggage

Lostluggageclaims.com has launched a service to help travelers claim maximum compensation when their luggage is lost by their airline.

56,937,000 flights were taken by UK travelers last year and more than 16 passengers per 1,000 experienced delayed or lost luggage - almost 1 million people. The legal service is primarily aimed at the one in four travelers who holiday abroad without insurance.

Payment is only made for successful compensation claims by the company and the service aims to ensure that customers receive the maximum amount allowed under the Montreal Convention - approximately £987. This is worked out by a formula using Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and the amount of compensation varies on a daily basis depending on the value of the currencies it is based on.

Rosanna Spero, LostLuggageClaims.com Marketing Director commented: "The current system of compensation is difficult for passengers to understand and negotiate and airlines are able to pay minimum compensation to affected passengers. We have launched LostLuggageClaims to help ensure travelers who have suffered the distress of lost luggage receive a better service and higher payout from the airlines."

In 2007 British Airways was the worst offender, losing 22 bags per 1,000 passengers, followed by TAP Portugal at 21 lost bags per 1,000 and Air France 20 per 1,000. Around 85% of bags eventually turn up, but SITA figures show that 0.46 bags per 1,000 never reappear. You have two years from the date your luggage was lost to claim compensation.

Rosanna Spero added: "The problems faced by customers of British Airways at Terminal Five show the problems poor luggage handling can cause. Hopefully the majority of people will have been reunited with their belongings, but if they are not or if their insurer refuses to pay out, then LostLuggageClaims.com will contact the airline on their behalf and work to get maximum compensation."

People with insurance have the option of claiming on the ‘personal belongings' section of their travel insurance or using LostLuggageClaims.com. They can also use LostLuggageClaims.com to obtain a refund of the excess they paid on any insurance claims. LostLuggageClaims.com do not charge upfront fees and if it is not possible to obtain compensation, no fee is payable.