Top tips from our legal expert

Looking for the best value insurance quote? There is so much more to consider when buying your travel insurance than price alone. Michael Imperato, legal adviser with the Holiday Extras Expert Panel, provides a rundown of 10 things to consider before purchasing your policy.

• Does the policy actually cover and apply to your holiday plans? This issue is particularly pertinent when taking out annual travel insurance. Ensure you do not exceed the maximum number of days' cover and check that it applies to the country you are visiting.

• Check that any activities you plan to undertake on holiday are covered, since most policies will specifically exclude some hazardous activities. If you have any doubts as to whether an activity is covered or not, it is recommended that you contact your insurance provider before you travel and clarify the situation, making a note of who you spoke to and when. You may also choose to follow the conversation with written communications confirming the insurance cover.

• Check that the period of cover is adequate for your needs and the covers the duration of your holiday.

• Make sure that the policy has an emergency number that you can call without cost from abroad. If not, the cover may not really be worth having in the first place.

• Check what documentation you need and what steps you have to take if a problem arises. For example, if there is a theft or an accident you will normally need to obtain a police report.

• Be certain to check the dates by which any claims have to be made. Most insurance policies will have a time period by which you have to claim, typically 30 or 60 days after your holiday. If you delay a claim until after that period, you lose the right to make any claims.

• If you have a pre-existing medical condition you will probably be asked to disclose it when you apply for insurance. If you have any doubts as to whether you need to declare a condition, it is best to be up front with your insurance provider to avoid any subsequent difficulty.

• For travellers to Europe, it is essential to complement your insurance cover by taking out a European Health Insurance Card. This entitles you to medical treatment when travelling in the EU.

• Ensure that your policy offers at least £1 million worth of medical cover in Europe and £2 million for the rest of the world; at least £1,500 for baggage and personal belongings (including cover for lost or stolen money); £3,000 for cancellation or curtailment; a minimum of £1 million personal liability cover; and cover for legal expenses.

• Check the excess is payable. A high excess can make the insurance cover worthless.

Holiday Extras offers wide range of insurance policies to meet all requirements and budgets. Visit our travel insurance page and book your cover today.