This couple lost £1,000 after their flight was cancelled - here's what to check so you don't

This couple lost £1,000 after their flight was cancelled - here's what to check so you don'tJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleKevin PeacheyCost of living correspondentDebbie RainbirdArdon and Debbie Rainbird were left out of pocket when their flight home from Sri Lanka was cancelledIf you're planning a holiday this summer, it's important to check the insurance policy details carefully so you don't get caught out.Many of them do not cover losses linked to a war as Debbie and Ardon Rainbird from Northallerton in North Yorkshire found out the hard way.The couple got stuck for an extra two weeks during a holiday in Sri Lanka after their return flight through the Qatari capital Doha was cancelled when the Iran conflict broke out.They had an annual insurance travel policy but it didn't cover war, leaving them around £1,000 out of pocket even though their tour operator paid for some of their extra nights after which they moved to a budget hotel. If they had bought an add-on then that cost would have been covered."It is frustrating because you budget for a holiday," Debbie says. "But we were incredibly lucky compared with others."The cost of insurance hasn't really changed, but holidaymakers now have far fewer travel insurance policies to choose from when visiting areas in or near the conflict in the Middle East, say analysts Defaqto.Here are the five insurance questions you should ask before booking your summer holiday.1. What am I covered for - and what am I not?Insurance becomes invalid if you go somewhere where the Foreign Office advises against travel. For example, the current advice is against all travel to Iran."It is always worthwhile checking the policy details though or speaking with the provider as the policy may include some travel disruption coverage which could extend to civil unrest or airspace closures," says Anna-Marie Duthie, travel insurance expert at Defaqto.While some policies cov...