Travelling should be about the experiences, not the “what ifs”. With COTA travel insurance, you may add cover for specified items if they’re lost, stolen or accidentally damaged while you’re away.
Specified items cover is an option on certain plans that can supplement standard luggage cover. For a summary of the standard luggage cover available, see the ‘Summary of luggage and personal effects cover by plans’ table below this section.
What are Specified items?
Specified items are belongings that you can add to plans that offer this option for an additional premium, for example where you have a high value item that is worth more than the applicable item limit, or where you don’t want depreciation applied to that item in the event of a claim.
To include specified items on plans with this option, list each item and its value when you buy travel insurance.
How Specified items cover works with COTA travel insurance
When you add Specified items to your COTA travel insurance policy:
- You tell us exactly what you’re insuring (e.g., “Canon DSLR camera — $2,000”).
- You may receive a higher payable benefit if that item is lost, stolen, or damaged.
- You may avoid the standard sub-limits and depreciation that apply with general luggage cover.
You must provide proof of the:
- Item’s make/model
- Purchase price (receipt or equivalent)*
- Estimated value*
*These must be dated from before you specified the items on your policy.
What are the coverage limits for Specified items?
Items separately insured under the Specified items option are covered up to the amount specified, even if this amount exceeds the total Luggage and personal effects limit set out in the Schedule of benefits for your plan.
- Maximum individual specified item limit: $4,000
- Maximum total for all specified items: $10,000
You must insure the total value per item. Please ensure you have proof of value dated from before you specified the item on your policy and proof of ownership for any item you specify, as this will be required should you make a claim. Depreciation does not apply to specified items.
Important: Cover for specified items is subject to the terms and conditions as detailed in the section ‘Luggage and personal effects’ in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
What isn’t covered?
It’s important to know what’s not included in luggage cover, including specified items:
Common exclusions include:
- Items left unattended in public places.
- Valuables or electronics left in an unattended vehicle, even if locked.
- Normal wear and tear, deterioration or mechanical failure.
- Loss from theft if reasonable care wasn’t taken.
- Cash, tickets, traveller’s cheques, and negotiable instruments (unless specifically listed in the PDS).
- Fragile or brittle items (e.g. glass or china), except loss or damage caused by fire, or by accident to the transport carrying them.
- Damage to computer, tablet or smartphone screens at any time.
The above exclusions apply, read the PDS carefully to understand all terms and conditions, exclusions, and limitations.
How to make a luggage or Specified Items claim
If your bags or specified items are lost, stolen or damaged:
- Report theft promptly to police or relevant authority and get a report.
- Contact your transport provider (airline/ship/train) for lost luggage documentation.
- Take photos of damage or forced entry (if applicable).
- Keep receipts, valuations and proof of ownership for specified items.
- Make a claim.
Important: Having clear documentation improves your claims experience and may help your claim be processed faster.
Travel tips for protecting your valuables overseas
To make the most of your COTA travel insurance cover:
- Photograph valuables before you travel and save receipts digitally.
- Use hotel safes where available.
- Keep important documents and devices with you during travel.
- Label luggage inside and out with contact details.
For any enquiries, or if you need help with purchasing a COTA policy, please contact us.
This is a summary of cover only and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions as outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement.
Summary of luggage and personal effects cover by plans
Benefit
Comprehensive
Essentials
Annual Multi Trip
Australian Travel Plan
Cancellation and additional expense plan
Luggage and personal effects maximum limit
$12,000
$5,000
$12,000
$4,000
Not insured
Personal computer, camera, video individual item limit
$4,000
See Other individual item limit
$4,000
$1,000
Not insured
Smartphones individual item limit
$1,000
See Other individual item limit
$1,000
$1,000
Not insured
Medical aids individual item limit
$1,000
See Other individual item limit
$1,000
$1,000
Not insured
Other individual item limit
$700
$500
$700
$500
Not insured
Emergency luggage
$500
$200
$500
$500
Not insured
Stolen cash
$250
Not insured
$250
Not insured
Not insured
Hiring replacement golf and surf equipment
$200
Not insured
$200
$200
Not insured
Replacement passports and travel documents
$3,000
$1,000
$3,000
Not insured
Not insured
Fraudulent use of credit or debit cards
$3,000
Not insured
$3,000
$3,000
Not insured
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FAQs
Are medical aids covered under specified items?
Certain COTA travel insurance plans include a standard $1,000 per item limit for essential medical aids if lost, stolen or damaged while travelling. We define medical aids as:
- communication aids (e.g. hearing aids)
- mobility aids (e.g. walkers, crutches, wheelchairs)
- prosthetic limbs, medical grade footwear and orthotics
- sight aids (e.g. prescription glasses)
- dental aids (e.g., dentures, dental prostheses).
These items may be covered up to $1,000 per item if lost, stolen, or damaged while travelling. Depreciation applies. If you wish to cover a medical aid for more than $1,000, or for nil depreciation to apply, you can add it as a specified item for plans where this option is offered.
Always check the PDS for full terms and conditions, details, limits and any exclusions that apply.
Note: A pair or related set of items are considered to be one item (for example, a camera and its lenses (attached or not), tripod and accessories, a chain and pendant, or a pair of hearing aids) unless each individual item has been separately insured under the Specified items option.
Does COTA travel insurance cover lost luggage?
COTA travel insurance may help cover lost, stolen or damaged luggage and personal effects up to the policy limits, or the item value, as specified when you add this option.
What are “specified items” in travel insurance?
Specified items are high-value belongings that you can list for an additional premium on plans that offer this option when buying your travel insurance policy. Listing them can increase the cover limit and reduce depreciation on claims.
What proof do I need for a claim?
You’ll need receipts, valuations, police/transport reports, and photos of damage or forced entry to support luggage or specified item claims.
This is a brief summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. Consider the PDS and TMD and if the product is right for you.