Football fans advised to invest in travel insurance before travelling to World Cup

England fans are being urged by one company to take out travel insurance before heading to South Africa for this year's World Cup.

Football fans planning on heading to this year's World Cup have been reminded by AXA of the need to take out travel insurance.

With the firm reporting that around 20,000 England supporters will travel to South Africa for the tournament, it notes that having cover in place can help reduce the financial burden that a mishap such as being robbed or disrupted travel plans can cause.

And whether single trip insurance or annual insurance is taken out, such a policy should be obtained before Britons leave the country for Africa.

"Every year we see lives ruined by holiday misadventures with the worst of these costing hundreds of thousands of pounds. Insurance can't stop these things happening, but it can at least ease the financial burden for the victims and their families," Alison Patrick, head of travel for AXA, comments.

The firm also advises people keep the details of their annual or single trip travel insurance policy close at hand, as these may need to be presented to the emergency services.

To reduce the chance of having to make a claim, consumers are advised to keep their belongings to a minimum and be aware of pickpockets operating in large crowds.

Such comments come as Joanne Mallon, travel insurance manager for Sainsbury's Finance, recently noted that having travel cover is just "as essential as your passport".

By Emma North