There are limitations and exclusions in any insurance policy and it is essential to read yours as soon as you receive it and make sure it gives you the protection you need. If you're unsure call your travel insurance company and ask for help.

Arrange your policy as soon as possible after you book - to make sure you have cover in case you have to cancel. And tell the insurer about any medical conditions affecting you or other members of your party, or your/their immediate family. Insurers may refuse to pay a claim for cancelling or shortening your holiday if you don't tell them about conditions affecting immediate family. Or, they might refuse to pay medical expenses if you or a member of your party has a condition and haven't told them. Pre-existing medical conditions are excluded by most policies.

Cover for your baggage and personal possessions under a travel policy is likely to be more limited than the cover under your home contents insurance - most travel policies do not replace lost or damaged items on a 'new for old' basis, most home contents policies do. If you are taking valuable or fragile items with you it may be better to insure them under the 'all risks' section of your home policy - if you have not already done so. Talk to your home contents insurer before you go.

If you've decided to undertake a more extreme activity, like bungee jumping or parascending, check the policy to make sure the activity is covered and under what conditions. Many policies will include cover, but they may require expert supervision and may limit the number of times you can undertake the activity.

Before buying a policy, check that you do not already have cover as part of your banking arrangements. Some credit cards and bank accounts provide travel insurance automatically as a benefit.