1. Will you be covered for the cost of repatriation in an emergency? The FCO sets the guidelines of having at least £2 million worth of cover so that hospital fees and the associated cost of returning you home will be met. The cost should not be underestimated, particularly if your condition means unusual arrangements for your transport must be made.

2. Does your insurer provide 24-hour assistance? This is of the utmost importance in emergency situations. For example, some insurers need to be informed before medical procedures are started if they are to be paid for. You don’t want to be left waiting in pain.

3. How will you be reimbursed for cancellations, if at all? There are thousands of reasons why you may cancel a trip, but not all of these will be considered legitimate reasons by you insurer. Before doing anything definitely check what the insurer’s stance is on this issue. It is also worth checking what provisions are in place should the tour operator or airline cancel your trip.

4. How soon does cancellation protection kick in? Either the insurer will vouch for your temporary accommodation or replacement flight or you will have to purchase them and be reimbursed later. This can make a big difference if money is tight. The recent Bangkok airport protests are a prime example of this cover coming in handy.

5. Are adventurous sports covered, and if so which ones aren’t? Standard travel insurance policies do not automatically cover extreme sports, and even some you’d think might be fine actually aren’t. The level of risk is key. Things such as paragliding or skiing won’t be covered as standard, but things like swimming should be fine.

6. Will your insurer protect you against personal liability? Accidents can happen anywhere and sometimes they might be your fault. Causing a traffic accident is a common example, and despite the fact that you meant no harm if someone has become injured you may be sued. Personal liability cover can be invaluable and take the stress out of a possible holiday-ruining situation.

7. Does the policy offer reimbursement of legal expenses incurred if a damage claim needs to be made? This is the flip side of the previous question. Of course, it may be you who has suffered an injury because of somebody else, say whiplash in a car accident. You’ll need to hire legal advisors to fight your corner, and your insurer can help you with this.

8. What are the upper limits for lost, stolen or damaged possessions claims? Quite simply, you don’t want to be out of pocket if you lose all of your luggage because their value is higher than the insurer has agreed to pay. Ski trips are a notable example of having valuable equipment. You can always up your cover limits if you’re going to need the extra assurance, but make sure you do it before all your stuff gets stolen