Airline baggage liability-international??

[amajamar]

Does anyone have experience with what the airlines cover and don't cover as far as scuba gear is concerned?

After reading through the Continental Airlines baggage regulations, it seems that they don't assume liability for lost or damaged scuba gear in checked luggage.

Am I correct in my interpretation?

 

[diver 85]

There's a maximun per bag they cover & they don't care what's in the bag ie they are not covering any high-priced stuff unless you're willing to pay them for covering it..........

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Get a special insurance policy.

Your homeowners won't cover the contents of a lost suitcase, and the airlines won't pay what its worth.

Don't ask me how I know this.

One option I like, although there are others (do a Search,) is offered by DAN:
DAN Divers Alert Network : Insurance : Equipment
https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/trip/index.asp

But read the policies carefully before you send in a signed app. They are changing constantly. Be sure you know what is covered and what is not, and ensure you have an insurance policy that will replace lost luggage contents (if that is your concern).

Regards,

Doc

 

[Night Diver]

In order to actually answer this question (and you may decide you don't really want to) you need to determine whether the Warsaw Convention of the Montreal Convention applies to your flight. Eventually the Montreal Convention will replace the Warsaw Convention but for now you can look at this chart (look under the "Date of Entry Into Force" column) to see which countries are parties to which convention:

http://www.ICAO.int/icao/en/leb/mtl99.pdf

If you are traveling internationally FROM a country that has signed the Montreal Convention, it applies. If you are travelling anywhere on an EU-based carrier (e.g., British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, etc.) the Montreal Convention applies. Otherwise the Warsaw Convention applies.

Under the Montreal Convention, liability is generally limited to 1,000 Special Drawing Rights (sometimes called SDR's, labeled for currency exchange as "XDR's"). Today the US Dollar exchange rate per XDR is .628281, so 1,000 XDR = $628.28. So that's the answer to your question if the airline loses your whole bag(s) for 21 days or more (after 21 days the bag is deemed lost).

Under the Warsaw Convention, liability is limted to 17 XDR per kilo of luggage. Most airlines will limit you to 2 checked items at 50 pounds each, so you're looking at $485.44 which is, as they say, worse. If the airline accepts or you pay for more luggage, then of course higher limits would apply.

You can hope to pry a better reimbursement out of an individual air carrier with whom you have a business relationship but those are the rules. In a nutshell don't rely on airline reimbursement as insurance.

 

[amajamar]

In order to actually answer this question (and you may decide you don't really want to) you need to determine whether the Warsaw Convention of the Montreal Convention applies to your flight. Eventually the Montreal Convention will replace the Warsaw Convention but for now you can look at this chart (look under the "Date of Entry Into Force" column) to see which countries are parties to which convention:

http://www.ICAO.int/icao/en/leb/mtl99.pdf

If you are traveling internationally FROM a country that has signed the Montreal Convention, it applies. If you are travelling anywhere on an EU-based carrier (e.g., British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, etc.) the Montreal Convention applies. Otherwise the Warsaw Convention applies.

Under the Montreal Convention, liability is generally limited to 1,000 Special Drawing Rights (sometimes called SDR's, labeled for currency exchange as "XDR's"). Today the US Dollar exchange rate per XDR is .628281, so 1,000 XDR = $628.28. So that's the answer to your question if the airline loses your whole bag(s) for 21 days or more (after 21 days the bag is deemed lost).

Under the Warsaw Convention, liability is limted to 17 XDR per kilo of luggage. Most airlines will limit you to 2 checked items at 50 pounds each, so you're looking at $485.44 which is, as they say, worse. If the airline accepts or you pay for more luggage, then of course higher limits would apply.

You can hope to pry a better reimbursement out of an individual air carrier with whom you have a business relationship but those are the rules. In a nutshell don't rely on airline reimbursement as insurance.

Yeah, I've been looking into this stuff, and it just isn't worth the risk... I'm staying home.

Actually, I'm just going to buy the H2O insurance plan and be done with it. It's good for a year and is pretty comprehensive.

My two setups are worth just a little more than $485.44!

 

[adrisen]

When I flew with my gear I signed a liability waiver for my gear. I had to sign the same waiver with a few airlines so many of them are not taking responsibility for the gear. Now I never read the fine print on it. I do not know if it is to that they do not take responsibility for damage, They will take responsibility for loss if they lose it.

 

[Papa_Bear]

Never travel without insurance! If you use your Platinum Card to buy your ticket you might have insurance or you might have to sign up for their coverage. I also have DAN and depending on the expense and where I often do trip insurance as well! Insurance is not too expensive because the airlines do a pretty good job!