If you are a frequent international traveller, making two trips a year or more you will probably be better off arranging an annual travel insurance contract rather than cover for each journey. These policies generally allow unlimited trips as long as no one trip exceeds 90 days. Annual policies are offered by insurers such as Columbus, WorldCover Direct, Inter Assurance, GA Direct and Barclays. But check the cover, some annual contracts will not insure you for winter sports, for example, so if one of your trips is to the ski slopes, you may still be better served by dedicated policies. And if you are planning a long trip off the beaten tourist path, you will probably need specialist help.

British skiers have something of a reputation on the slopes! It seems we have a tendency to ski just a little too fast for our own good. Statistically, you are far more likely to have an accident skiing, or indulging in some other hazardous sport, than you are sitting on a beach reading a book. This is why most basic travel insurance policies exclude hazardous pursuits. You should make sure you are covered, for example, for mountain rescue costs (if you need to be brought off the mountain); the cost of prepaid expenses such as ski pass and skis; and expenses incurred as a result of delays caused by avalanches in addition to the standard travel cover.

Credit cardholders paying for holidays or air tickets with their plastic may be eligible for free insurance. Standard cardsą protection may be limited but many gold cards provide comprehensive travel insurance. If your household insurance policy is arranged on an "all-risks" basis, it means your possessions are also insured outside the home.