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With the summer holiday season upon us, lots of people are scouring the internet for the best deal possible for their holiday. The popularity of booking a vacation on the internet has surged, but according to the Daily Mail one aspect of your holiday where it pays to be careful is looking for bargain travel insurance .

Every year, there are many British holidaymakers who experience illnesses and accidents abroad through no fault of their own. When purchasing travel insurance , it is best to deal with a reputable company as if you fall ill abroad and are not covered, the costs can run into thousands. You would have to pay for any medical treatment abroad, and also hire a medical repatriation company to get you back to the UK safely.

Even with the peace of mind you get with travel insurance , there are several things that you can do to help yourself when travelling abroad.

Don’t leave it until the last minute to have any vaccinations. Hepatitis A injections don’t work immediately, and anti-malaria medication is usually only effective two weeks after you first take it. Vaccines such as polio and typhoid are best taken several weeks apart. Other vaccinations can leave you feeling poorly for a while, so they’re best taken well before your holiday.

Keep a note of your travel insurer’s phone number and your doctor’s details in your passport and wallet. Put their numbers on your mobile phone, as this will aid an overseas doctor in getting information about you

If you regularly take medication, make sure you take it in the original package in your hand luggage with an up to date prescription. This should ensure you have minimal problems at customs, as unidentified pills may be confiscated. Bear in mind that some UK medications such as codeine are prohibited in countries such as the UAE.

Be careful of what you eat. Hotel buffets are notorious for causing upset stomachs, and contaminated water can be a source of illness, even if it just used for ice cubes.

Finally, make sure you take a phone charger and adaptor. If you’re unfortunate enough to end up in hospital, it can be isolating if you can’t stay in touch with your loved ones.