I flew Delta to a shoot in Miami. I checked my Pelican 1510 with my lighting kit and backup bodies ($12,000 value). It never arrived on the carousel. After 3 days, Delta declared it lost. They sent me a check for $3,500 and said, “That is the federal liability limit for domestic flights.” I was out $8,500.
Key Takeaways
- DOT Liability Limits: For domestic U.S. flights, airline liability for lost luggage is capped at $3,800 per passenger (as of 2026). For international flights under the Montreal Convention, the limit is even lower—$1,700 per passenger.
- Media Rates Don’t Increase Liability: Paying for “Media Bags” gets you a weight allowance, but it does not increase the insurance limit on the bag.
- Excess Valuation: You can declare higher value at the check-in counter (up to $5,000 usually), but you must pay a fee and they often refuse to insure electronics/cameras in checked bags anyway.
- Your Insurance is Primary: You should never rely on the airline. Your Inland Marine / Camera Floater policy covers the gear worldwide, regardless of who loses it.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Assuming the Airline Pays.”
The airline contract of carriage explicitly excludes liability for “fragile or valuable items” including electronics and cameras in checked bags.
Even if they lose it, they can point to the fine print and pay you $0 for the camera, paying only for the clothes and the case itself.
The $3,500 limit is a maximum, not a guarantee. They depreciate everything inside.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Recovery)
I looked at the layers of protection.
Athos / Hill & Usher
- The Coverage: Worldwide coverage. Transit included.
- The Process: You file a claim with them. They pay you $12,000 (minus deductible). They subrogate against Delta for the $3,500. You get paid quickly.
AirTags / Smart Tags
- The Reality: In 2026, if you don’t have a tracker in the case, the insurer might ask why. It’s cheap risk mitigation.
- The Recovery: Often the case isn’t “lost,” just sitting in the wrong terminal. A tracker helps you tell the airline where it is.
Carry-On Rule
- The Rule: Never check cameras or glass. Only check grip, stands, and cables. If you must check cameras, use a “Gate Check” if possible, but even that is risky.
[IMAGE: Photo of a Pelican 1510 with an AirTag taped inside the lid, sitting on a tarmac]
Comparison Table
| Source | Max Payout (Domestic) | Max Payout (International) | Electronics Covered? |
| Airline | ~$3,800 | ~$1,700 | No (Often Excluded) |
| Credit Card Travel Ins | ~$3,000 | ~$3,000 | Limited |
| Pro Camera Insurance | Full Value | Full Value | Yes |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- File PIR Immediately: Do not leave the airport without a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) number from the baggage office.
- List Contents: Provide the airline with a detailed list, but know they will cap it.
- File with Your Insurer: Do this concurrently. Send them the PIR.
- Use “Media” Cases: If checking expensive gear, use nondescript cases. Don’t put “Canon” stickers on the Pelican.
FAQ
Does TSA locks help?
They are required. If you use non-TSA locks, they will break them.
What if items are stolen from the case?
This is “Pilferage.” Airline denies it usually (“prove it was in there”). Your insurance covers it with a police report.
Is the Pelican case itself covered?
Yes. If the case is cracked, insurance replaces it.