In life, there are always risks associated with damage or loss of personal property. Unfortunately, such situations can occur while traveling to a competition. If the trip involves a bus or train, there are usually no issues with transporting the bicycle. It becomes more complicated when a triathlete needs to fly with their bike. To protect yourself from unforeseen situations, it's better to insure your bicycle.

Insurance 

A bicycle is registered as luggage, and compensation for a damaged or lost bike is paid according to the airline’s policy. Usually, the compensation is up to $20 per kilogram of luggage. This does not cover the loss of an expensive professional bicycle, nor does it compensate for emotional distress. To reduce risk, the bike should be insured independently. In this case, the athlete chooses the amount of the insurance payout. In the event of an insurance claim (damage or loss of luggage), expenses will be covered. You can purchase insurance when buying a ticket on the website or separately through an insurance company, or even at the airport.

Insurance offers

Insurance companies do not provide specific options for bicycle insurance. A bicycle can be insured as "Property." When contacting airlines, they offer to calculate the insurance amount individually. However, you must first insure yourself, and the bike can be added as an extra.

Insurance options for cyclists

• Purchase a life and health policy for yourself and add a "luggage" option. By paying an additional fee, you can expect compensation if the bike is damaged or lost during transportation.  
• Purchase bicycle insurance after buying it. Some options cover costs for damage or theft. Check with the seller if they offer such a service. You can also buy a bicycle with an insurance policy in an online store.  
• Declare the value of the bike when purchasing an airline ticket. To do this, when checking in the bike as luggage, you must confirm its value and pay according to the airline’s rates.

When purchasing a ticket, be sure to check the rules for transporting bicycles. If you don't notify the airline in advance, they may refuse to transport the bike at the airport. On the airline's website, check the baggage dimensions and weight for free transport, as well as the surcharge for overweight baggage. Some airlines transport bicycles for free within the normal baggage weight limit. Usually, bicycles are checked in at the oversized baggage counter. When checking in the bike, you can ask the airport worker to place a “Fragile. Handle with care” sticker on the packaging. Upon arrival, it’s best to assemble the bike right away to ensure there is no damage.

If the bicycle is damaged

Immediately at the airport, upon receiving your luggage, contact the service staff in the baggage claim area or the airline representatives to file a claim. A **Damage Report** is an important document. It includes information about the passenger and baggage, along with the airline's contact details: phone numbers, email, address, and a reference code. This code is necessary to follow up with the airline regarding your claim and compensation. Additionally, keep all supporting documents related to the flight and baggage: tickets, tags, and boarding passes. The airline staff will also provide a claim form and a guide on which documents to submit to receive compensation for repairs.

If you notice the damage only after arriving home, you can call the airline’s call center to find out what documents are needed to receive compensation. To file a claim against the carrier, keep your airline ticket, boarding pass, and the baggage tag that was attached to your luggage—essentially all documents related to your trip. You will also need to send a letter demanding material compensation. Attach all the documents that can serve as evidence. The claim review process can take from a few days to a month.

If the bicycle is beyond repair

If the bike is so damaged that it cannot be repaired, you should request financial compensation. To do this, report the baggage damage to the airline representatives at the airport. They will issue a report on the incident. Be sure to keep all travel documents. You’ll need to send the airline a receipt for the bicycle purchase. If the receipt is lost, you should provide the bike’s value, brand, and year of purchase. Additionally, include a link to the store’s website where the same or similar models can be viewed. Also, attach photos of the damage and a workshop's conclusion that the bike cannot be repaired.

If the baggage was lost

Almost every airport has a **Lost & Found** counter, where you can file a lost baggage report. You’ll need to provide your passport details, the airline responsible for transporting your items, the information from the baggage tag, and a description of your luggage. If they don’t find it within 21 days, you are entitled to compensation. If you check valuable items as luggage, you must fill out a customs declaration. In case of loss of declared baggage, the full value will be compensated.