These are general guidelines which most airline carriers abide by.

• Liability for loss, delay, damage to baggage is limited to $1250 per passenger on domestic U.S. flights. On international flights liability is limited to $9.07 per pound ($20 per kilo) or a maximum liability of $634.90 per piece of checked luggage. Liability for unchecked baggage is limited to $400.
• These limits may be higher if a charge has been paid which specifically values items exceeding these limits. (Certain items may not be allowed this excess valuation)
• Please be aware that almost every airline specifically states that they cannot be responsible for any valuable items (e.g. computers, electronic equipment, camera equipment, jewelry, cash, etc..) in checked or carry-on baggage.

DAMAGED LUGGAGE

When traveling via an Airline it is possible your luggage may be damaged in some way. In the past, generally speaking, airlines have paid for repairs to most types of damage to luggage. Today things are changing and airlines are becoming stricter in enforcing the policies regarding the types of damage they are responsible for.

•  Things airlines will not cover include: normal wear and tear/minor cuts, scratches, dents, or soiling/loss or damage to parts protruding from the case (e.g. wheels, feet, pull-handles, flaps, pull-straps)/damage resulting from oversized or over-packed bags/manufacturer defects

New:  Many airlines will not cover damage to wheels and outside handles (including the pull out handle systems found on most new suitcases today)

• Airline personnel are not always uniform in enforcing their baggage damage policies. It is best to check over your baggage upon pickup and make a claim with the airline immediately with regard to any damage you may notice.
•  Most airlines will not accept damage claims unless they are made within a reasonable time frame (usually within 48hrs)
•  Airlines have greatly improved upon the ways in which they handle passenger luggage in recent years. The majority of damage occurs with poorly constructed bags which literally break, tear, and fall apart through normal usage and handling. For many years airlines have been responsible for much of this damage, but recent changes have allowed the airlines, legally, not to accept responsibility for much of this damage.