We've put together a list that's worth going through before you hit the road.

What to find out in advance? What not to forget? What will help you if there is an inconvenience? We've put it all together clearly here.

Health first of all

• Make sure you take out travel insurance for your trip abroad, taking into account your destination and planned activities, especially if you want to take part in adrenaline sports such as scuba diving.
• Choose higher limits for medical expenses and also sub-limits (for dental treatment, for example) so you don't have to pay out of pocket.
• Watch out for exclusions that apply to things like adrenaline sports or alcohol. However, there are also additional insurances that allow you to have a drink or two without worrying, or to play sports to the full.
• Don't just rely on credit card insurance - it often only provides basic cover.

When holidays get complicated

• It's handy to have trip or stay cancellation insurance in case something goes wrong. You can arrange this with your travel agent, but also individually as part of a travel insurance policy. It can help in serious situations such as hospitalisation, a death in the family, extensive damage to property or a natural disaster at the place of stay.
• Adding flight delay or cancellation insurance will help you cover costs such as refreshments, accommodation or alternative transport.
• Find out with whom the travel agent has arranged bankruptcy insurance. In the event of a bankruptcy, you must report the claim to the insurance company to get your money back

My house, my castle

• During the holiday season, abandoned properties tend to be the most "vulnerable" to the elements or thieves. Make sure you take out good quality insurance for your property and home (appliances, furniture, equipment), including a high enough sum insured to avoid the risk of underinsurance.
• The insurance policy defines how the property is to be secured against thieves, for example, be sure to follow these requirements or the insurance company may cut the benefit.
• Save the insurance company's contact details in your mobile phone in case you need to deal with something directly from your holiday, and leave spare keys to your flat with family or friends in case something needs to be dealt with at your flat.
  For backpacks, suitcases and bikes
  

Luggage can also be insured.

• In case of loss and theft, damage or delay. You can do this with travel insurance, third party insurance or breakdown insurance, and it's even possible with home insurance - because some variants of this policy cover the things you take with you from your home.
• Always make sure you know where ever you are covered and under what conditions. For example, if your luggage is stolen from your car, the insurance company will only pay if the car was locked. And in the case of theft at night, the insurance company will only pay if it was necessary to stay in the car.
• You can also specifically insure bicycles in case of damage or theft, again under home or travel insurance. It's important to check the limits of what the insurance company will pay and increase them if necessary for more expensive bikes. Only store bikes (and other sports equipment) in designated places, otherwise the insurance company will not pay in the event of theft.

Those who are prepared are not surprised

• Don't forget to pack all the necessary documents and other essentials such as airline tickets, proof of travel or accommodation, car documents, child's birth certificate if you have different surnames, etc.
• Check the validity of all the documents you will take with you. The authorities can issue a new ID card or passport within 24 hours for a fee.
• Take your documents in paper form and keep them photographed on your mobile phone just in case. If you lose your physical documents, you will at least have something for dealing with the authorities.