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Grandparents are relied upon more than ever for help with childcare during the long school holidays.

But those who are planning on taking grandchildren on a summer break are being warned to double check the terms of their travel insurance – before packing and jetting off.

Some travel policies won’t allow you to add grandchildren to your cover, they stipulate kids must live in the same household as the adult and can only be children or stepchildren.

Travel insurance comparison site Compare Cover found cover for 62-year-old grandparents taking a 10 and 12-year-old to Spain can cost more than double if you choose the wrong type of policy.

The cheapest was a group policy (four individuals travelling together) for £22.19, compared to separate grandparents and children cover at £30.41 and a hefty £49.64 for a family policy.

Simon Williams, head of travel at Compare Cover, said: “Premiums tend to increase the older a traveller is, so even if you can get a family policy covering both grandparents and grandchildren, it may end up being more expensive in the process.”