Yes—airlines are liable for damaged baggage, but payouts sit behind rules, caps, and strict claim deadlines.
You hand over a suitcase in good shape and it rolls back dented, cracked, or split. Who pays? On both domestic and international tickets, carriers must fix the bag or reimburse you for the loss while the bag was in their control. That duty isn’t unlimited, and the way you report the damage can decide the outcome. This guide gives a clear path from the carousel to a paid claim, with the current caps and timelines that apply today.
When Liability Applies, And When It Doesn’t
Carriers accept responsibility for checked baggage while it’s in their custody. They can refuse claims for pre‑existing flaws, poor packing, or normal scuffs. They also list categories they won’t cover in domestic travel—think cash, fragile collectibles, and high‑end electronics—inside each contract of carriage. On international itineraries covered by the Montreal Convention, those exclusions don’t shield a carrier if it accepted the items in the bag. The table below shows common situations and your best next step.
| Situation | Liability? | Action To Take |
|---|---|---|
| Hard crack in shell or frame | Usually yes | Report at the airport desk; get a written report before leaving |
| Broken wheel, handle, or strap | Yes (not “wear and tear” if damaged in transit) | Photograph damage; request repair or replacement |
| Minor scuffs and light marks | Usually no | Not covered as normal handling marks |
| Electronics packed in checked bag (domestic) | Often excluded | Check the carrier’s contract; try travel insurance |
| Electronics packed in checked bag (international) | Covered if accepted | File under the Montreal rules with receipts |
| Overweight or weak bag bursts | Often denied | Carrier may cite faulty bag or packing |
Are Airlines Responsible For Damaged Luggage Claims?
Yes. In the United States, carriers owe repair or cash based on the bag’s value, minus depreciation, up to the federal cap for domestic trips. For most international itineraries, the Montreal Convention sets a separate cap measured in Special Drawing Rights (SDR). These limits change, and the clock to protest damage is short, so the best time to start a claim is right when you spot the problem.
Today’s Caps You Can Rely On
For domestic U.S. flights, the Department of Transportation lets airlines limit payouts to $4,700 per passenger for mishandled bags. Carriers may pay more, but they don’t have to. For international trips that fall under the Montreal Convention, the current baggage limit stands at 1,519 SDR per passenger after the most recent inflation update. SDR is a currency basket set by the IMF; the dollar figure moves with exchange rates. Both figures are ceilings, not targets, and carriers will still value your claim based on repair cost, replacement cost, or depreciated value, whichever is lower. See the U.S. DOT baggage page for the domestic cap and ICAO’s limit update for the SDR number.
Deadlines You Must Meet
International rules require a written complaint within seven days of receiving a damaged checked bag. For delayed bags, the window is 21 days from delivery. Domestic carriers also ask you to notify them quickly—often on the same day—so treat the baggage desk as your first stop after the carousel. The EU’s consumer portal repeats the same seven‑day rule for damage, which keeps everyone on a short leash; see the Your Europe air passenger rights page.
Airline Liability For Damaged Baggage: Limits And Deadlines
The two systems you’ll run into are federal domestic rules for trips that start and end in the U.S., and the Montreal system for most international travel. Here’s how each one works, with plain‑English takeaways.
U.S. Domestic Trips
Under 14 CFR Part 254, a carrier can set a baggage liability cap, but not below the DOT ceiling. As of January 22, 2025, that ceiling is $4,700 per passenger on flights that use large aircraft. Airlines can also exclude certain categories—often jewelry, cash, fragile art, and professional gear—inside their contracts for domestic flights. They still can’t dodge responsibility for wheels, handles, and straps damaged in transit. Mobility aids are handled differently: if an airline damages or loses a wheelchair or other assistive device on a domestic flight, liability runs to the original purchase price, not the $4,700 limit, and the device must be returned in the same condition in which it was accepted.
International Itineraries
Most cross‑border tickets use the Montreal Convention. The current baggage cap is 1,519 SDR per passenger. You can raise that ceiling by making a special declaration of interest at check‑in and paying a surcharge; the carrier then owes up to the amount you declared, limited by your actual loss. Miss the written complaint deadline and the claim can fail even when the damage is obvious, so get the report filed on time and keep a copy.
EU And UK Notes
Within the EU and UK, passenger pages point back to Montreal rules. Claims for damaged checked bags still need to go in writing within seven days. Compensation under Montreal uses SDR, not a flat euro or pound amount, so payouts move with the exchange rate on the day the airline settles the claim. Local guides often add a reminder to start with the airline, lodge a formal notice, and save the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) number.
Step‑By‑Step: Report, Prove, And Get Paid
Speed wins. File before you leave the airport when you can. Then follow these steps to keep control of the process.
1) Get A Written Report On The Spot
Find the airline’s baggage office near the carousels. Ask for a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) or the airline’s own damage form. Make sure it lists the exact damage and the bag’s brand, size, and color. Have an agent sign or stamp it. Keep a copy or a photo of the report number before you leave the terminal.
2) Photograph Everything
Take wide and close shots of the broken parts, the bag tag, and the entire bag. Photograph the contents if items inside were harmed. If the case failed due to a split seam or zipper burst, capture that too. Then photograph the carousel area or the oversize pickup zone, which helps show time and place.
3) Save Proof Of Value
Receipts carry weight. If you don’t have the original, pull a bank statement, order history, or a manufacturer page that shows a current model and price. Screenshots are fine. Carriers apply depreciation to used items, so show age and condition to support fair value. For gifts, try the sender’s order record or a dated product page with a price.
4) Choose Repair, Replacement, Or Cash
Some carriers offer a repair desk or a replacement bag from a partner. You can also ask for cash based on the real value of the damaged bag and contents, up to the cap that applies to your ticket. If a wheel or handle is fixable, a repair invoice can be faster than a full claim. If the shell is cracked or the frame is bent, a replacement or cash payout is more likely.
5) Track Deadlines And Keep Everything In Writing
For international trips, send your written complaint within seven days. For delays, send it within 21 days of delivery. Keep email threads, submission confirmations, and names of agents you spoke with. If the airline asks for receipts or forms, reply promptly and keep copies. If you mail anything, use a method that gives you a timestamp and tracking.
What The Airline Can Deny—And How To Work Around It
Even valid claims run into friction. Here are common sticking points and practical ways forward.
“That’s Wear And Tear”
Scuffs and tiny dents usually don’t qualify. But a cracked shell, bent frame, torn seam, or broken hardware points to mishandling. Bring clear photos and the station report. U.S. guidance also says carriers can’t refuse claims only because the damage hit wheels, handles, or straps.
“Valuables Aren’t Covered”
On domestic trips, contracts often exclude cameras, laptops, watches, and artwork. Travel insurance can fill that gap. On Montreal itineraries, if the airline accepted your checked bag, it remains liable up to the SDR cap even when the bag held valuables—so file the claim and document the contents.
“Your Bag Was Overstuffed Or Defective”
If a zipper pops because the bag was crammed, expect pushback. Show that the bag was within the weight limit and in serviceable condition at check‑in. Photos from the drop‑off area help. If the bag was new, include a copy of the product page or receipt to show the model and build.
“You Missed The Window”
Time bars are strict under Montreal. If you picked up the bag on Friday, the written notice must reach the carrier within seven days. When you can’t file at the desk, submit the online form the same day and save the confirmation. Then follow up by email so you have a second timestamp.
How Payouts Are Calculated
Expect carriers to value items at the lesser of repair cost, replacement cost, or depreciated value. Depreciation tables reduce the value for age and wear. Presenting current prices for equivalent models and proof of purchase helps keep the number fair. For sets—like nesting suitcases—note the set price and the size that broke. If contents were damaged, list each item with a date of purchase, price paid, and a link or scan that backs up the figure.
Raising The Limit With A Declaration
Flying with specialty gear? On international tickets you can declare a higher value at check‑in for an extra fee. The airline then owes up to the declared sum if the bag is lost or damaged, limited by proof of actual loss. Not all desks offer this by default, so ask before you hand over the bag. For high‑value items that you need on arrival, carry‑on remains the safer play.
Mobility Aids And Medical Devices
Wheelchairs and other assistive devices sit outside the domestic cap. If a carrier damages a device on a U.S. domestic flight, liability runs to the original purchase price. On international tickets, Montreal’s limits apply, but carriers still must return the device in the same condition in which it was accepted. Photograph the device at drop‑off and at pickup, and include the make, model, and serial number in your report.
Documents And Details That Strengthen A Claim
A clean paper trail speeds payment. Build a simple packet and send it in one go.
- Airport report number (PIR or airline damage form)
- Photos of the bag, the damaged parts, and the tag
- Boarding pass and baggage claim sticker
- Receipts or statements for the bag and any harmed contents
- Repair quotes or invoices, if available
- Written complaint sent within the required window
Quick Reference: Caps, Deadlines, And Extras
Use this table as a checkpoint before you send the packet.
| Where You Flew | Current Limit | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. domestic roundtrip | $4,700 per passenger | Carrier may exclude certain items; wheels/handles can’t be excluded if damaged |
| International under Montreal | 1,519 SDR per passenger | Seven‑day written notice for damage; 21 days for delay; declaration can raise limit |
| EU/UK flights | Montreal applies (SDR) | Same seven‑day rule; guidance routes you through airline first |
Smart Packing To Reduce Risk
Use a hard‑shell case with recessed wheels and strong zips. Keep laptops, cameras, watches, and medication in your carry‑on. Place a copy of your contact info inside the suitcase in case the tag rips off. A small roll of duct tape and a luggage strap can help you limp a damaged case through the trip if needed. Adding a simple name card inside each packing cube helps if the liner tears and items spill out.
Template: Short Damage Notice You Can Send Today
Subject: Damaged Checked Bag — [Name], [Record Locator], [Flight], [Date]
Body: “I collected my checked bag today on flight [number]. The bag arrived with [describe damage]. Please treat this as timely written notice under the Montreal Convention/domestic rules. Attached: photos, PIR [number], boarding pass, bag tag, and receipts. I request repair or reimbursement within the applicable liability limit.”
Helpful Official Resources
For current U.S. domestic caps and plain‑language guidance, see the U.S. DOT baggage page. For the latest Montreal SDR limit, see ICAO’s limit update. If your trip involves the EU, the Your Europe air passenger rights page explains timelines and how to start a claim with your carrier.
Bottom Line
Airlines are liable for damaged baggage, and the rules are clear once you know where to look. Report fast at the airport, send a written notice in time, document real value, and point to the limits that apply to your route. Do those four things and you give the claim every chance to succeed.