You may wish you had more time off work to enjoy the sunny weather but be careful what you wish for, says Scott Gallacher.

I recently commented that most of us wouldn’t think about going on holiday without travel insurance. A friend of mine is certainly glad he didn’t.

As with many people, he was sharing his holiday with us back at home by uploading the occasional holiday snap and update. We had pictures of him enjoying al fresco dining, swimming in the pool and lazing on the beach.

Unfortunately his last update is of him in hospital with his leg in plaster, complete with the x-ray photos of his broken fibula.

“As he is self-employed without the benefits of an employer’s sick pay scheme this would mean a couple of months without pay”

While my friend is no doubt glad that he had taken out travel insurance to cover his medical bills I did wonder about how much time off work he would need when he returns home (a broken fibula typically takes 4-6 weeks to heal).

He has a physical job and needs to drive so I’m guessing he will need up to a couple of months off work. As he is self-employed without the benefits of an employer’s sick pay scheme this would mean a couple of months without pay.

Fortunately however, I had recommended he take out an income protection policy a number of years ago so at least that’s one worry he won’t have.

So, if you are like my friend and jetting off for your holidays shortly, maybe as well as arranging travel insurance you might want to sit down with a financial adviser to review you and your family’s protection arrangements.

Income protection is available from less than £1 a day, i.e. less than the cost of a fancy cup of coffee.

Find a financial adviser to help you sort out your protection needs.