Travel insurance is fine and dandy for reimbursing you when you lose your luggage. Still, it’s a major hassle, and you’re likely to be stuck for at least a day or two without some pretty important items. Rather than going without or paying premium prices for replacements, here are some things you can do to deal with lost luggage:

1. Know your luggage. Know what it looks like and know what’s in it. Mark it distinctively. Make a list of the contents, and even consider taking a picture of your bags and keeping it with you.
2. Prepare at least one change of clothes ahead of time. If you’re traveling with someone else, put one change of clothes in each person’s bag. If not, put a change of clothes in your carryon bag. Heck, you can do both.
3. Be careful going through security. In many cases, luggage isn’t lost when it’s being transferred from one plane to another during a layover. It’s lost during the security screening process. Someone has a similar bag, or thinks they have a similar bag, and they walk away with yours.
4. Keep cool. You’re going to have to talk to the airline as well as the travel insurance company. Be firm and precise, but don’t be an ass. Even the best airline attendant can’t make your luggage appear out of nothingness.
5. If you do need to buy clothes, don’t buy from the tourist traps. Try to find a regular clothing store or department store, somewhere outside of the tourism district. There’s no sense in blowing a bunch of money on a stack of T-shirts that say “I’m with Stupid.”
6. Let your hotel know. Most of the time, a hotel can offer you complimentary toiletries, and things like a shaving kit. Some hotels will even help you with the process of working with the airline to try to locate your luggage.
7. Keep contacting the airline. Figure out what the airline’s procedure is for making a lost luggage claim and follow it explicitly. Make a record of every contact you have with the company, including emails and making a note of phone calls. Never underestimate the power of a written letter sent with a signature confirmation or certified, as well. Be sure to follow up with your travel insurance agent, too.

Photo via FaceMePLS