Buying travel insurance? Check the small print

Motley fool report that "customers - particularly those of a thrill-seeking disposition - need to scan the small print with a gimlet eye before signing a travel insurance policy, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said today."

Most exclude high-risk sports so "If you're planning to go white-water rafting down the Colorado River or something, your bog-standard travel policy won't cover you."

I wonder if banana boats, parascending, water skiing etc are also not covered?

The article also warned that travel insurance is also essential for short breaks:

"I'd say it's very important, even for a couple of days. It doesn't take more than a couple of minutes for you to lose your bags."

Recent trouble with lost baggage at Heathrow airport has highlighted the issue of travel insurance...There has been a 22 per cent increase in lost baggage across Europe, according to figures from the Association of European Airlines."

A short break is just as likely to fall foul of flight delays but agaain read the small print, you are usually only covered if the delay has been for a specified minimum number of hours, eight hours or more may be the minimum!

Association of British Insurers (ABI)Spokesperson Malcolm Tarling continued: "Most bog-standard policies will cover cancellation but the cause of the cancellation will be specified in the policy; typically your illness, or an illness of someone travelling with you, or a close family member." NB They will probably ask for proof and pre-existing conditions are unlikly to be covered.