Lose your luggage in Israel? Get paid

A new baggage protection service for travelers will have its international roll-out in Israel, the company, Blue Ribbon Bags, announced this week.

For only $5 per passenger, the company guarantees $1,000 for each lost bag if not returned within four days, no matter the contents. No proof of what is in the bag is required to receive payment.

“Our approach is to radically simplify the baggage protection process and make it a no-brainer for people to protect their goods,” said company CEO Gabriel Menkin, at the opening of the 20th International Mediterranean Tourism Market Trade Show in Tel Aviv.

“After thoroughly testing the concept in the US and benefiting from an overwhelmingly positive response we knew we were ready to launch internationally," he added.

Company president Daniel Levine, who grew up in Israel, said that Israel had been chosen for the international launch because “Israelis are among the most active and enterprising travelers on the international scene."

Users join the service via the company's website blueribbonbags.com. After joining, all baggage checked in anywhere in the world, including last-minute bags checked at the gate, is covered by the company’s service. 

In the event that a bag is lost and hasn’t been returned to the traveler within four days, the traveler is credited $1,000 with no need for additional claims or follow-up paper work.

According to Blue Ribbon Bags, there are 150,000 bags mishandled every day worldwide.