Martin Lewis has issued a word of warning to anyone planning a trip abroad as peak holiday booking season gets under way.
The MoneySavingExpert founder shared a number of top travel tips in his latest newsletter - including how to steer clear of a "mistake" that many holidaymakers are guilty of when it comes to booking their holidays. This error, according to the finance expert, is leaving their travel insurance to sort out closer to the time.
Martin wrote: "Each spring without fail, someone asks me a heart-breaking question. Usually they've been diagnosed with cancer or another serious condition that needs long-term treatment, and they won't be able to go on their summer holiday.
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"Yet the airline won't refund them - within its rights as the ticket is not faulty," he explained. "I say, 'that's what travel insurance is for'. Sometimes though, they tell me they haven't got round to getting it yet.
"My heart sinks as I have to tell them there's no recourse. Half the point of the cover is to protect you if things happen that stop you going, so get it ASAB - As Soon As you Book."
Martin went on to explain the cheapest options for travel insurance based on what your holiday plans are. If you are planning more than one holiday this year, he advised, then you should opt for annual travel insurance as this will usually work out cheaper than booking insurance separately even for just two trips.
If you are only going away once, Martin suggested taking out single trip insurance - and shopping around a few providers to find the best one to suit your circumstances. Prices start at around £9 per week for one person travelling, with the cost depending on your age and where you're going - though prices can "rocket" if you are aged 66 or over or have a pre-existing medical condition, he warned.
In addition, the money expert advised seasoned travellers to check whether they can save money on travel insurance with a packaged bank account which offers protection for a monthly fee. "Used smartly, these can get you £100s of insurance at a fraction of the cost, beating standalone policies," he explained, suggesting Nationwide's FlexPlus as MSE's "top pick" which also provides mobile phone insurance and breakdown cover.
Finally, Martin urged holidaymakers to ensure they have a valid EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or its replacement the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) card before they travel. These free cards entitle you to medical treatment in state-run hospitals and GPs in EU countries and Switzerland for the same price as a local.
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