There's no telling what might go missing from airline baggage. Items reported stolen in recent years include golf balls, a fresh-caught halibut in a cooler full of ice, and an endless array of laptops and other electronic equipment.
Your valuables are not covered by insurance for checked bags. Jewelry, laptops, camera equipment, money and other monetary instruments, and other types of valuables are expressly denied any coverage when you fly. Your homeowners insurance might cover some things, but you have to check your policy to be sure.
So your first line of defense is carry your valuables in your handbag or carryon bag. Get a jewelry roll and pack it in your purse or carryon bag. Be sure your wallet holds your Social Security card (if you need to bring it all - better to put it in your safe deposit box at the bank), ID's, whichever credit card you need, and a second currency when traveling internationally. Keep your laptop, Kindle, camera and other electronics in your handbag or carryon, and hang onto both of them tightly!
Locks can be broken. TSA routinely opens locked bags. Get TSA approved locks anyway and use them. They do not deter TSA, but don't make things too easy for anyone else.
List exactly what is in each bag: carryon and checked bag(s). Ensure your detailed list is accessible to you wherever you might go, and have a back-up list. Email your list to yourself, or save a list on your computer or flash drive. Keep a copy at home. Make sure you have serial numbers for valuables. If something goes missing, you need to know immediately so you can act.
Inspect your checked bags carefully when you retrieve them at baggage claim. Note any damage and/or missing items. Put in a claim with the baggage agent immediately.
If a bag does not spew from the carousel, likewise put in a claim with the airlines baggage agent immediately.
Airlines are supposed to provide urgently needed change of clothing & toiletries. Don't let them pawn you off with a 24-hour wait "to see if it arrives on the next flight." They are also required to reimburse purchases of immediately needed items, so keep your receipt for things purchased within 24 hours of your flight. Use your list to detail "black & white striped cotton knit jacket with 3/4 length sleeves," not just "jacket."
Reimbursement limits of $3300 for domestic US flights do not apply for international flights, even on a US carrier. International limits go by the kilo of baggage weight, not the depreciated value of the items contained in the bag(s). The international insurance reimbursement limit runs about US$650 per bag.
It is not unusual for the airlines to blame TSA on any flight which goes through any US airport. And TSA of course blames airline baggage handlers. Insurance reimbursement for lost (or stolen) bags, and for items stolen from checked bags, is likely to be held up. You need to document everything thoroughly, and follow up diligently.
No idea what they did about that stolen halibut, however....
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