Tourists should note the sporting elements of their trips away before they go so that they purchase the correct travel insurance, the British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba) has said.

Each individual traveller ought to ask themselves what activities will take place while they are abroad so that they are covered in the event of an accident, the technical and corporate affairs executive at Biba Graham Trudgill suggested.

While those on beach holidays could indulge in paragliding, he argued, people bound for New Zealand may be bungy jumping and insurance products should match the level of risk.

"The key thing is to have a think about what you want to do on holiday and then speak to your broker and they will tell you if you need a policy that costs a little bit more or they may get you free risk with another company," he asserted.

In comparison, travellers with children heading to France for a quiet break are less likely to need such insurance and protection, Mr Trudgill added.

Fewer than half of tourists who purchased travel insurance from agents and operators in 2007 were given advice about dangerous sports, Biba has said.

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