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Be prepared for holiday travelling

When planning a holiday either at home or abroad, nobody wants to think about the possibility of an accident or illness whilst away, yet it is essential to consider what might happen should anything go wrong through no fault of your own.

As your plans develop and you decide where you want to go and what you want to do there, take some time to think about travel insurance.

If you are travelling to countries in the European Economic Area, which comprises members of the European Union and also includes Norway, Lichtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland, there are reciprocal arrangements for medical care with those countries. You will need a European Health Insurance Card, but this is not the same as travel insurance. The UK does have arrangements with some other countries, and this should be checked before travelling. In all cases, it is essential to take out comprehensive travel insurance to make sure that any problems can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

The cost of travel insurance varies, and can be tailor-made to suit a single journey or taken out for a year. The insurance company will take into account the risks involved, so if you are travelling to take part in winter sports or other potentially dangerous activities, premiums will be higher.

Costs of medical care in the United States and Canada in particular are extremely high, so appropriate insurance should always be taken out to cover potential financial liability.