Research by esure suggests one in six Brits would take part in an adventurous sport on holiday knowing they wouldn’t be covered if they got injured.

The survey also reveals a quarter of holidaymakers choose their destination or resort based on the availabilty of such sports including scuba diving, white-water rafting and bungee jumping.

With 88% of British holidaymakers having previously taken part in these types of activities while on holiday, of which over 8% incurred an injury in the process, it’s more important than ever to buy travel insurance and read the small print as not all travel insurance policies are the same and exclusions apply.

One in 10 Brits wrongly believe that all travel insurance policies cover adventurous activities as standard and could leave themselves liable to a hefty bill in the event of an accident. Alarmingly, just 63% of Brits abroad would take the time to check their travel insurance documents before taking part in a hazardous sport or activity and worryingly 15% admitted that they would go ahead and make a booking even if they knew the activity wasn’t covered under their travel insurance.

Mike Pickard, head of travel insurance at esure, said: “Brits want more from their holidays nowadays and appear to be swapping the sun lounger for the bungee cord. It’s not where they’ve been on holiday but what they’ve done that seems to be important.

“With a surge in the popularity of, and access to, more adventurous sports and activities at holiday resorts across the globe, it’s crucial for holidaymakers to take out travel insurance and check they’re covered before they try out the likes of white-water rafting in Australia or shark-feeding in the Bahamas. Get injured and the medical bills could turn a paradise trip into a nightmare.”