Is travel insurance an unnecessary expense? Raisingkids.co.uk's guest travel expert Barbara Murray, of Canvas Holidays, explains why it makes sense to invest in a decent policy.

Raisingkids member's question
Do we really need travel insurance? It's so expensive.

Barbara Murray's advice
I believe insurance cover is vital. Compared to the costs that you would incur if something went wrong, the expense is negligible.

Be careful when choosing your travel insurance. The free insurance cover provided by some credit card companies is inadequate, as is the E111 form which, for example, does not cover emergency repatriation. When you're travelling as a family, it's especially important to read the small print.

If you're going on an activity holiday, is everyone covered for windsurfing, water-skiing and the other activities you've planned? Even indoor activities such as a trip to the ice-rink can be classed as 'winter sports' and you could find yourself with an expensive medical bill if someone breaks a leg. The best insurance policies offer a free helpline so you can talk to an English-speaking doctor in an emergency.

As well as insuring your family's health, you'll need to ensure that everyone is protected against such pitfalls as losing your passport, money or luggage, travel delays or missed departure, and incurring legal expenses.

I hope I don't sound like a doom-monger, but when you stop to consider all the things that could go wrong, it makes sense to take care of the insurance. Canvas Holidays take this issue so seriously that we will not accept a booking without proof of adequate insurance. We automatically arrange Personal Insurance for our customers unless they submit to us, at the time of booking, proof that they have taken equivalent or higher cover elsewhere.