One in eight Brits in all have had something stolen or lost on holiday, noted Richard Mason, director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com.

But individual items are just one part of the package of contingencies you need to get covered, the advice site warned, with cover for cancellation and emergency medical treatment a must.

Strenuous efforts to save money on low-cost flights and budget accommodation will prove wasted energy if travellers end up spending more than anticipated on covering uninsured losses or medical treatment.

Looking carefully at every policy to establish what is covered is vital, Mr Mason warned, since many providers will not cover you for items covered under your home insurance policy then misplaced overseas.

“Policies vary significantly with exclusions and limitations commonplace,” he explained.

Recent figures from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office showed that a massive 50 per cent of British holidaymakers go abroad without any travel insurance cover.

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