We are flying to New York on Maxjet, and the next day will fly on to Cancun in Mexico with American Airlines, returning the same way. I want to be insured for the missed departure of the New York-Cancun flights, because if we miss them we will need to buy new tickets. However, my travel insurance only covers me for missed departure of flights out of or returning to the UK. Can you help? Clive Reffell

Times Travel Editor Cath Urquhart responds: This is a sensible question. If you buy two flights with different airlines, the airlines have no obligation to each other, so if you don’t turn up for the connecting flights you will indeed have to buy new tickets. If you miss the flight out of, or back to, the UK you should be covered by your travel insurance (but see the first question, above), but you are rarely covered for connecting flights with a different airline.

I suggest you contact the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (0870 950 1790, www.biba.org.uk) who will put you in touch with a broker who may be able to arrange a one-off, bespoke policy to cover this situation.

If you book your entire holiday through a tour operator, you will be covered by the EU Package Travel Regulations, so if you miss a flight that is part of the package, the tour operator will be obliged to help you.

Times recommends

• The three best routes to the Med
• How to cash in on your holiday money
• 10 tips for the perfectly packed suitcase