Monday’s bomb explosion at Domodedovo Airport in Moscow has left Russia in a state of shock and questioning a serious breach of security. Russian media have reported that the suspected suicide bomber detonated around 7kg of TNT, killing 35 people and injuring more than 100. One Briton is among the dead.

There has been a concentrated global effort to tighten airport security in the last ten years. But it’s clear that, while extremely rare, acts of terrorism still represent a genuine danger for international travellers. And the disruption of a terrorist attack extends beyond the immediate impacts. Flights get delayed, re-routed and cancelled; thousands of passengers can end up having to make hasty amends to their holiday plans.

So it’s extremely important to make sure that your travel insurance covers acts of terrorism. But figures from the FCO (Foreign & Commonwealth Office) suggest that as many as 40% of travel insurers do not cover terrorist acts. Is it worth the risk?

When buying travel insurance it is important to check the level of cover. Different companies offer different deals, some will provide this sort of cover as standard, others do not offer it at all.

If you are caught in an act of terrorism and need emergency assistance, medical treatment abroad or emergency repatriation, you need travel insurance that covers claims arising from acts of terrorism. You can get a single trip policy or cheap annual travel insurance that also provides cover under the Personal Accident section of the policy, and most policies that cover terrorism will provide a Hospital Confinement benefit if you are admitted to hospital following a terrorist incident.

One point it’s important to note, however, is that it will be hard to seek any kind of cover, no matter who the provider is, if you are visiting a dangerous country and travelling against the advice of the FCO. And remember to be careful if you’re searching for a bargain on your travel insurance. Check the details of your policy, because cheap policies often contain little cover.