The insurance company Esure have recently reported that many Britons are risking being faced with heavy bills by not ensuring that their travel insurance covers them for adventurous activities.

Esure’s research found that one in ten Brits wrongly believe that all travel insurance covers all adventurous activities and 15 per cent would still book a hazardous sport even though they knew that they were not covered for it.

Around two- thirds (63 per cent) of Brits abroad would even think to check their travel insurance document before agreeing to participate in such activities.

According to Esure, 88 per cent of British holidaymakers have tried an activity such as scuba diving or bungee jumping. Over 2.8 million (eight per cent) sustained an injury during the process.

Some of the most popular activities for British holidaymakers this year are off-road mountain biking, scuba diving and jet skiing. The insurance company highly recommends that consumers read the small print on their holiday insurance and check conditions for coverage of activities.

Mike Pickard, who is head of travel insurance at the online insurance company Esure, said it was "crucial" for holidaymakers to check they are covered for hazardous sports, adding: "Get injured and the medical bills could turn a paradise trip into a nightmare."