What can be insured on a holiday?

When the passport, sun cream and little black number have been packed in the suitcase, most holidaymakers' tick list is complete.

One other thing to be tucked safely away among the sarongs and shorts, however, is travel insurance documents.

The amount of Brits who forget to take out travel insurance before they go on holiday is staggering, but for those who are sensible enough to take out the cover may wonder what is actually insured on their policy.

"Simply taking out cover does not guarantee a person will be aided in all instances so it can be important to know what is included" one expert advised.

Provisions for emergency medical treatment are a feature of many policies – a slip or trip by the pool could have financial repercussions to go along with broken bones and sore heads. This allows you to buy a medical kit at home or abroad to use just in case of any small accidents.

Some insurance firms can offer a 24-hour helpline for people who end up in these situations – so checking the small print for this could be crucial.

Refunds for flight cancellations can be another aspect of a policy, along with instances where a trip needs to be cut short due to extenuating circumstances such as bereavement. This is often a common feature of ski holiday insurance, as unforseen bad weather can ruin an entire holiday.

Most policies have clauses to help you recover money for stolen goods. Checking the small print will show you how much money you are covered for, so taking excessive amounts of expensive electronics is not the best idea.

Personal liability may also be a consideration, covering a person if they encounter legal issues on foreign soil.

It should be noted there can be exclusions penned into an agreement, for example if an incident occurs when a person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Limits and levels of cover can also vary between insurers - meaning it can be very important to get answers to your questions from your provider before heading off to top up your tan.

Generally speaking it is ill-advised to bring laptops abroad unless you need one. All valuables should be locked away at night or well hidden to avoid theft.