The ONLY thing you should do with your luggage before checking it in at the airport
The ONE thing you should do with your luggage before checking it in at the airport, revealed in a viral TikTok video
The next time you check baggage for a flight, add this action to your airport checklist.
a viral video advises travelers to always take a photo or video of their luggage before a flight.
Why? Because these images can be used as evidence if you need to make an insurance claim for damaged or missing luggage.
Not only that, but it can also help the airport’s lost and found team track down your missing luggage.
The video was shared on TikTok by Robin Taylora world traveling influencer and registered nurse based in Las Vegas.
A viral video advises travelers to always take a photo or video of their luggage before a flight, as it can be used as evidence if you need to make an insurance claim for damaged or missing luggage
In the clip, which has received 2.4 million views and 135,000 likes to date, Robin pans the camera around each side of her khaki-colored suitcase at the airport and tells her followers: “I always take my luggage when I standing in line to check it at the airport… just in case, for proof. It saved me twice.’
She explained why it was so important in the comments section, revealing that making a video “saves a lot of trouble down the road” if your bags get damaged or disappear, as it can be successfully used as proof of “damage that was” t there before it went under the care of the airline’.
Other TikTok users quickly agreed with Robin’s advice TikToker ‘Rae’ write, “As a former “baggage lost and found” attendant, please. It’s smart and it also helps us enormously.’
User ‘Rizz’ said: ‘I sell suitcases and will always inform customers to take photos/videos as evidence in case of damage to their belongings.’
One person, user Sarah Esbensenwrote: ‘I did that last year and it saved me… my luggage was missing for five days so the video I made was very helpful!’
A travel insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket says ‘Before and after photos give your insurer evidence of the extent of damage caused in transit’
Others lamented the fact that they hadn’t learned the trick sooner, with user ‘Meery’ writing, “I wish I saw this TikTok two weeks ago, before I lost my bags.”
User ‘just be’ weighted: ‘I now do that every time my luggage is stolen and the insurance company asks me for a picture of my bag.”
And user ‘kyumyjp’ said, “I learned this the hard way… because my luggage is broken, but I can’t claim it.” [because I have] no proof.’
Speak with MailOnline Travel, Angela Dove, travel insurance expert at Money supermarket, followed Robin’s advice. She said: ‘It’s always worth taking photos of your belongings before you travel as this will help identify your luggage in case of loss or theft. Before and after photos also provide your insurer with proof of the extent of the transport damage.’
Dove emphasizes that it’s also important to take another photo when you land.
She said: “Airlines take responsibility for your luggage on board the flight, so it’s worth taking photos of your luggage when you pick it up before you have it out of your possession and on your way to the next phase of your journey. This helps to show where and when damage, loss or theft occurred when proving your claim.’
MoneySuperMarket notes that basic baggage insurance is usually included as standard with a travel insurance policy that covers loss, damage or theft.