When you're heading off on your holidays it's important to check that you've got everything.

Alongside the clothes, toys for the kids and the all important sun cream, there's also the paperwork to take care of.

Before you travel it's important to ensure you have some form of cover in case anything should happen to yourself or your family whilst abroad.

As well as arranging some travel insurance, you may need other paperwork depending on where you are holidaying to, as well as covering yourself for any additional activities you want to participate in - including winter sports.

If you're travelling from the UK to European destinations it can be worth your while to take out a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

This handy little card replaced the old E111 form system at the beginning of 2006. The card entitles holidaymakers to reduced costs should they require medical assistance if something should happen on their trips.

However, the card itself is not a substitute for holiday insurance, and many fall into the trap of believing that the EHIC card will be all they need for when they go on holiday to Europe.

The EHIC card is valid for three to five years and can be useful for expatriates as well as holidaymakers, although it might not cover all types of treatment - so you may find yourself having to pay a small contribution to your medical treatment.

Should you require medical treatment whilst holidaying in Europe, taking out an EHIC before you travel could help reduce the cost of your treatment.

As for the treatment itself, you're likely to receive treatment at a state-provided level, which might not be quite what you are used to on the NHS. Some countries may also charge for some treatments which you may be used to getting free of charge back home on the NHS.

Combined with a travel insurance policy, this handy little card can provide holidaymakers with peace of mind from a financial point of view.

Remember that only state-provided emergency treatment is covered. The EHIC does not cover you for all medical costs or for repatriation, and so it is not an alternative to travel insurance (it most definitely does not cover costs involved in cancellation or curtailment of your trip. It would also not cover things like lost luggage, money etc). Even though you are just travelling within Europe it is advisable to take out some travel insurance to cover all eventualities and peace of mind.

Few countries pay the full cost of medical treatment even under reciprocal health service arrangements. It is therefore advisable to take out travel insurance and not to just rely on the European Health Insurance Card [http://europeanhealth.org.uk/] or EHIC.