Check ahead before you book your holiday

Over 15 million Brits are looking to cash in on January holiday bargains, but millions of these bargain hunters could ultimately lose out by booking their paradise holiday for potentially weather-blighted dates and failing to check Home Office warnings or visa requirements.

According to new research out today by esure Travel Insurance, 79% of holiday bookers did not know when the hurricane season in popular parts of the USA begins and 87% do not know when the monsoon season blows in across parts of Asia. Holidaymakers could be in for a shock having booked a holiday in Malaysia for November and turning up finding they need to use their parasols to protect them from monsoon rain rather than beaming sunshine.

The research also shows that less than half (48%) of holidaymakers check the weather for severe weather warnings prior to booking their holidays abroad and only 47% check the foreign office website to see if there are any warnings against travelling to that destination.

Weather aside, many people's perfect holiday could be blighted by a failure to do necessary homework before leaving for their dream holiday destinations. A third (26%) of holidaymakers fail to do their research to see whether or not they need a visa to enter the destination and a third (27%) do not look into what vaccinations and tablets they are advised to take - potentially putting their health and the health of others they may be travelling with at risk.

Finally, the research also reveals that for the third of people (34%) who book their holidays ahead in January, one in five (20%) will not take out any travel insurance cover.

Jacky Brown, Head of Travel Insurance at esure, said: "Most people love to jump on the bandwagon of the January sales season. A holiday deal may look great from the outset, but come holiday time - you could be caught out by flying out to your destination, such as Mexico, during the hurrican season. Delays and even flight cancellations in such extreme weather are inevitable therefore it's vital to make sure you have travel insurance to make sure you're covered.

"It's also important to remember that the government EHIC form like the E111 is not an insurance policy. It provides emergency medical care only, which in some destinations may be very limited."

Tips for holidaymakers looking to book their holiday this month:

1. Don't forget to buy travel insurance: make sure you take cover to protect you and your family should the unexpected happen. Essentially cover will be provided for you becoming ill or getting injured whilst on holiday, are delayed at the airport or end up losing your luggage. Also, make sure you take your insurance documents with you as having telephone numbers and policy particulars at hand is crucial.

2. Check what's covered: if you're booking a holiday for the start of the skiing season in November, before booking any activity at a ski resort - such as glacier-walking, ski mobiling or cross country skiing - check your insurance to make sure the activity isn't excluded.

3. Cancellation: when you book your holiday, make sure you take your travel insurance cover out at the same time to ensure you are covered in case you suddenly fall ill / are not fit to travel and have to cancel your holiday.

4. Plan ahead before you travel: Make sure you check the British foreign and commonwealth office (fco.gov.uk) for any warnings about travelling to your holiday destinations and to see if you require any visas prior to travel. Make sure that all your vaccinations are up to date and find out about any other suggested medical advice by visiting your health-care provider. Follow this advice and be aware of possible health risks during your trip. Websites such as dh.gov.uk\travellers are also a useful source of information. Check the weather ahead of packing for your holiday (bbc.co.uk\weather\world ).