My $1000 laptop was stolen from my checked baggage on delta. I have put in a claim.Anyone have experience or advice on what I should expect?

I wouldn't expect much at all, airline liability for lost electronic equipment that has been checked is minimal at best. You're better off filing a claim with your insurance plan.

This begs the question, why on earth would you put a laptop through checked baggage?

What!!!???

In fact, DL takes zero liability in this instance, according to their website:

I think the only recourse the OP has at this point is through personal insurance (if it will even cover this).

Mike

Well, you get my sympathy. We don't know why you put it into checked luggage, so I think its a bit quick for other posters to criticise.

You say it was stolen. Theft is theft. If nothing else, I'd report it to the police. The threat of doing so might extract a gesture from the airline (I doubt it). It could also be necessary as part of an insurance claim.

In the UK exclusion of liablity clauses do not always work if an airline has been negligent or complicit in criminal activity. Hard to establish, and probably different in the US anyway. Another poster might know if there's any scope here.

What type of insurance do you have? Travel insurance would likely cover this but most people don't seem to buy that. You should look into your homeowners/renters insurance policy and you may find that your items are insured against theft even outside your residence. The only bad thing about this is that you're likely going to have a deductible of $500-$1000 so it may not be worth even filing the claim.

If you're like me it is more of an annoyance and loss of invaluable data than the cost of a stupid laptop. Did you have the data backed up?

You can rest assured that one good thing that happened because of this is that you reminded me to back up my own laptop

Whatever you do, do NOT put in a claim with your homeowner's insurance. Good grief! In theory, yes, it's covered. In reality, people who make these kind of claims give their insurers an excuse to drop them. Having to switch to a more expensive or even a state plan for your insurance could cost you a lot more than $1,000. Don't even make an inquiry with your insurance agent about it. She'll make a note on your file, and it will be counted against you when renewal time comes around. Yeah, I live in Louisiana, but I've heard the same is true for many other states. I sure wouldn't risk it over a measly $1,000. We all know the rules -- airlines have no liability for checked electronics. The poster made a mistake. But don't compound the mistake by making another that could impact your finances and your ability to insure your home for years to come.

Isn't it a shame that you have to be afraid to make a claim with an insurance company. I had a very minor accident where I backed into someone in a parking lot at night. By the time it was added up with the rental car the person needed it was about $1,000. In 40 years I have never had a ticket or an accident and my insurance (AARP Hartford) went up $300 a year for three years. I have been really, really good so far and my 3 years is up in the spring. I am hoping it will go back down again as they told me. I sometimes wish I had never reported the accident but then if the other person would later claim an injury I am guessing I would have really been in trouble. By paying for the accident and not reporting it I suppose I could be held responsible. Having my home and car with them I could not at that time come up with a better option but if they don't reduce back again I am gone and somewhere else.

Yes, it's a shame. My friend had 2 recent claims on her insurance, a robbery and a roof leak. In 2006 the insurance company dropped her homeowners insurance after her being with this company for over 20 years. It's happening to alot of Florida homeowners but I have to wonder if those 2 claims were the reason her insurance was cancelled.

Yes I read the ticket jacket from delta and it does state no responsibilty for lost electronic equipment and all that good stuff. I only had to start checking my luggage when that liquid ban when into affect before that I would go through with a roller board and my computer bag. Then I started checking in my computer bag and stuffed my toiletries in it. Lesson learned I guess..I told a few of my co workers the story and one person used to be a pilot with US AIRWAYS EXPRESS. One day he was doing his pre-flight/visual inspection of his airplane when he heard a thud coming from the baggage hole area where baggage handlers were loading bags. He made his way to that area and saw an employee loading bags and at the same time he was attempting to bend and break the handles of some rollerboards by stamping his feet on them. He was fired but it goes to show you the kind of people we have working in the high security areas. Forget stolen laptops or clothing..what if these kind of individuals who obviously have no morals or integrity and who work on and around these airplanes decide to go into even more dangerous business involving airports and airliners in order to make a buck? in my opinion since 9/11 any person trying to obtain any position with an airline or in or around an airport should undergo as much scrutiny as a person going through a CIA or FBI background check.

Nothing burns me up more than having valuable stolen from checked luggage. What really chaps me is the airlines' disclaimer that they aren't responsible. So in essence, they've got a license to rummage thourgh anyone's luggage they want and take whatever they see fit. After all, it ain't their fault as per their disclaimer.

What a freakin' crock.

When I first started traveling some 6-7 years ago, I put my digital camera into my checked luggage. It was in it's box. Got home, began to unpack and noticed the box was much lighter than it should be. To this day, I still haven't flown NW other than the one time I had no choice whatsoever. I still thumb my nose at the NW gates/planes when I see them at PIT.

Next time do not check your laptop in checked baggage. NEVER EVER. And numerous posts around the forums will attest to this fact same goes for jewellery or expensive items.

Sanosuke!

When I was first issued a company laptop in 1993, we were told to NEVER check the computer as baggage or inside our luggage. To this day, I never have. Those few who ignored the directive eventually had theirs stolen or seriously damaged.

Sad, but unfortunate reality of the world in which we live.

This thread only confirms what I've been thinking since 8/10: If/when a terrorist "threat" occurs involving electronics to the extent that carry-on electronics are banned, this will mark the end of business travel as we know it. I too have been the victim of checked baggage contents theft (a set of portable iPod speakers), and I'll never, ever check any electronic equipment again. I'm sure the majority of business travelers would agree.

Reading this thread is making my blood boil!

Daphne75, from your profile it looks like you are from the NY area. Try writing a letter to Senator Chuck Schumer and the NY Times. If you are lucky, maybe Sen. Schumer's office will take up your cause and make a call or two to Delta. I know he has previously voiced some concern about the airline industry's treatment of consumers. And perhaps an NY Times reporter will air your grievances in a national outlet.

I know it's a long shot but it's worth a try. Travelling should not be like this. It breaks my heart to be treated like criminals at the airport, yet victimized by criminals working for the airlines