LEADING insurance brokers BIB are urging holidaymakers from Darlington to read the small print before buying their travel cover.

The warning follows several cases where tourists have had accidents while taking part in daredevil activities, only to find they were not covered by their insurance plan.

Veronica Ryan, personal lines manager at BIB (Darlington), said that many policies available on the high street come with little or no advice, with many failing to cover a wide range of popular holiday activities.

She said: "So much time and consideration is taken when booking a holiday, and this should also be the case when buying travel insurance.

"Choosing the right cover is essential and could save the holidaymaker a great deal of money, should the unexpected occur."

The Darlington insurance brokers have given holiday-makers a few valuable tips on which cover would be the best buy.

These include ensuring that people know what they are covered for, as many policies do not insure for accidents while scuba diving, white-water rafting and paragliding.

The company is urging people who holiday more than once a year to take out an annual travel policy, and make sure that it covers them for delayed departure on return flights, as well as outward.

Ms Ryan said: "A holiday is something we all look forward to and by choosing the right cover you are guaranteed that extra peace of mind."