TRAVEL

Policies from the holiday firm you booked with can be the most expensive and those at the airport are pricey too. It’s worth a bit of effort to ensure you get the right policy, at the right price. Buying online can save a small fortune. One week’s cover for a family of four to Tenerife at February half-term with Moneysupermarket costs £25.27 compared to £76.74 for a comparable Post Office policy.

Family cover, usually for two adults and two under-18s, can be the most cost effective for one or two trips. As well as saving cash, a family policy will save time and effort of buying individual cover. For three or more trips a year go for an annual family policy – but double check for any restrictions on age, all living at the same address and singleparent families.

Individuals planning several holidays a year should consider an annual policy rather than cover for each individual trip. Be honest about pre-existing medical conditions – even those such as asthma and high blood pressure controlled by regular medication. One small omission could cost you thousands of pounds in medical bills or even leave you stranded abroad if an insurer will not pay up.

If you have pre-existing medical conditions, or are over 65, get a specialist firm to help you compare quotes from across the market and find the cheapest cover. Payingtoomuch.com specialises in cover for older travellers and those with pre-existing medical conditions. It has examples of hundreds, and even thousands, of pounds being saved on cover for a single trip, enabling people to afford jetting off.