If there was a good example why comprehensive travel insurance is a good thing it was the recent problems at Heathrow’s new terminal 5.

It was a worrying and very stressful time for thousands of air passengers last month when Heathrow’s terminal 5 experienced major problems. Many of those who had to endure cancelled flights and lost luggage, where left unsure to the extent that they would be compensated. For any people without travel insurance, the uncertainty and worry would have been magnified.

But for those flyers who had taken out comprehensive travel insurance, at least, at the very minimum had the peace of mind and consolation that they would be able to claim for delays and lost luggage, in addition to flight cancellations and the costs of acquiring accommodation.

The operational failures at the new £4.3bn Terminal last month saw over 200 flights having to be cancelled and tens of thousands of luggage being mislaid.

Airlines involved will cover all passengers for certain things, such as refunds or alternative bookings for missed flights. In fact thousands of passengers whose flights out of Heathrow Terminal 5 were cancelled should be entitled to compensation of up to €600 (£470) each under European Union regulations.