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Free damaged or lost baggage claim letter template

Send a documented baggage claim to the airline using your booking and Property Irregularity Report details, photographs, receipts and valuation evidence.

Who this letter is for

Claim repair, replacement or essential-purchase costs after baggage is damaged, delayed or lost. It is written in the formal register companies, landlords and card issuers expect, and it records the facts, the remedy sought and the deadline in a way that supports any later escalation to an ombudsman or the courts.

How to use this template

  1. 1Get a Property Irregularity Report.
  2. 2Keep the baggage tag and boarding pass.
  3. 3Photograph damage and retain receipts.
  4. 4Itemise repair, replacement and essentials.
  5. 5Send the written claim before the applicable deadline.

What to include before you send it

  • Include the Property Irregularity Report number and baggage tag.
  • Send the written claim promptly because baggage deadlines can be short.
  • Attach purchase receipts, repair quotes and receipts for reasonable essentials.

The rights you are relying on

The Montreal Convention governs many international baggage claims and has short written-notice deadlines; domestic rules and airline conditions may also apply.

The letter template

[Your name]
[Your address]
[Email address] · [Phone number]
[Date]

Baggage Claims
[Airline]

Re: [Damaged / delayed / lost] baggage — booking [REFERENCE], PIR [NUMBER]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I travelled on flight [NUMBER] from [ORIGIN] to [DESTINATION] on [DATE]. My checked bag, tag [TAG NUMBER], was [damaged on arrival / delivered on DATE after a delay of X days / not returned]. I reported this at [AIRPORT] and received Property Irregularity Report [NUMBER].

The loss I claim is:
- [Repair or replacement item] — [AMOUNT]
- Essential purchases during the delay — [AMOUNT]
- Other evidenced loss — [AMOUNT]
Total: [TOTAL].

I enclose photographs, receipts and [a repair quote / evidence of the bag and contents]. Please assess the claim under the applicable baggage rules and confirm payment within 14 days. If any item is refused, please identify the rule and evidence relied on.

Yours faithfully,

[Your name]

Enclosures: boarding pass, baggage tag, PIR, photographs, receipts and valuation evidence.

Turn this example into your own formal letter

The £0.59 option creates one formal letter using your names, dates, sums and evidence. The £3.99 Case File also includes an email, evidence checklist, action plan and follow-up notice.

Uses the facts you provide Includes a clear response date
Personalise this letter — £0.59

Or read more about our personalised baggage claim.

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