Vancouver air passengers have changed the way that they travel due to the pandemic -- but one of the most significant concerns has nothing to do with protecting themselves from the virus.
Baggage loss and delay are a couple of the most common fears British Columbians have about travelling, according to a new study conducted by Compare The Market.
The company found that over a third of Canadians (32.1 per cent) have lost their luggage while taking a flight and nearly seven per cent (6.7 per cent) never saw their belongings again.
Clothing was the most commonly-lost item during air travel, with 10.8 per cent of respondents saying they had lost their threads en route. Electronic devices were a close second, with 8.9 per cent of travellers reporting losing them on planes.
Rounding out the top three, 8.4 per cent of Canadian air passengers said they lost jewellery on a trip.
In a survey of Australians and North Americans, the company also found that Canada "had the highest percentage of travellers experiencing lost luggage at nearly one in three."
Travel insurance is key for baggage loss or delay
Adrian Taylor, Compare The Market’s General Manager of General Insurance, says insurance is a crucial component of air travel.
“Even if you do get your lost or delayed baggage returned to you, it could be days without your gear, forcing you to fork out extra for vital travel essentials,” she said.
“Getting travel insurance can help because you could get a policy for your luggage that covers you against loss and theft, including cash and travel documents. It can help provide extra coverage and a better overall monetary payout so you can continue your travels.”
Compare The Market research showed that over a third of travellers (35.6 per cent) take out travel insurance to protect their belongings during travel. That said, the lion's share of people (90 per cent) who had their baggage misplaced by an airline did eventually get it back.
The study also found that over half (53.7 per cent) of Canadians keep valuable items on their person while they travel.
