Many worried holidaymakers are concerned that they will not get their money back for travel plans which had to be changed or cancelled as a result of the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico.

Travellers will be pleased to hear that most travel insurance companies will refund for cancelled travel to places which the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) have advised against but essential travel to.

This week, the Foreign Commonwealth Office did advise against all but essential travel to Mexico, so most people who took out travel insurance and had to cancel a planned trip to Mexico will get their money refunded.

"Where the FCO has advised against all but essential travel, most policyholders will be able to claim a refund or an alternative trip from their tour operator or travel agent," said the British Insurance Brokers Association (Biba).

"This would be the correct procedure for travellers to follow before submitting an insurance claim."

However, Biba added: "Not all travel insurance policies will cover cancellation due to a pandemic or FCO advice against travel. Travellers are advised to contact their insurance broker or travel insurance provider for clarification."

Emma Hoyler, of LV insurance added: "We would only cover people with policies taken out and trips booked before the FCO issues advice. If someone has booked a trip to Mexico after the FCO has issued advice (i.e. in the last 24 hours) they would not be covered."

She stressed the importance of travel insurance in situations like this, saying: It's always best to take out insurance at the time of booking a trip or have an annual policy in place to avoid this kind of problem."

While refunds can be expected for people cancelling travel plans to Mexico, where the swine flu outbreak started, anyone erring on the side of caution and cancelling trips to places such as the USA, UK, Spain and Canada, where there have been a few confirmed cases, would not be likely to get a refund.

"Any cautious Brits cancelling their holidays to these areas for this reason are unlikely to be covered by their insurer or compensated by the airline or travel firm they have booked with," said a representative from a popular price comparison site.

However, the representative did add that: "those paying for their holiday, or flight, with a credit card, provided it is over £100, get the added benefit of cover from the credit card company which becomes equally liable for providing a refund if the holiday cannot be fulfilled due to a cancellation by the holiday operator or airline."

The dates of the holiday may affect the possibility of getting a refund, as the Travel Association said: "The exact period will vary as the advice from the FCO can change rapidly, if your departure date is some weeks or months ahead, therefore, your tour operator will keep the matter under review and contact you closer to your departure date if it's necessary to change your holiday. If you're concerned, please contact your tour operator."