Top ten insurance exclusions

If you are taking out travel, home, wedding or payment protection insurance, make sure you check the small print for exclusions before signing up.

Insurers tend to include a number of clauses saying they won't cover certain things - some are obvious, but there are others you might expect to be part of the policy. Here, Moneyextra brings you top ten insurance exclusions to watch out for.

Seat belts

If you have a car accident and are not wearing a seat belt, your insurer may refuse to pay up. Research shows that providers including the RAC and Swiftcover will not pay out a motor insurance or personal injury claim to those not wearing belts, while the AA, Barclays, Budget, Kwik-Fit, Marks & Spencer, the Post Office and Zurich are unlikely to.

Hazardous sports

Adrenaline junkies need to check their travel insurance policies carefully as activities such as rafting, bungee jumping or skydiving tend not to be covered as standard. Most insurers will cover them if you ask, but you will have to pay extra. If you are hitting the ski slopes this winter, be aware that common exclusions include tobogganing, off-piste skiing and snowboarding, ski-jumping, heli-skiing and luging.

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A change of heart

If you're getting married then wedding insurance can cover you for a torn dress, flooded church or double-booked reception venue. One thing that isn't covered though, is a change of heart by the bride or groom so those unfortunate enough to be jilted at the alter will find themselves left standing by their insurer too. On the other hand, if it all goes to plan in church but you step outside to find its raining, wedding insurance wont cover you for your photos not turning out as planned.

Delayed baggage

Most travel insurance policies cover delayed baggage but few travellers realise that insurers tend to only compensate for baggage that is delayed on the way to the holiday destination. In some cases you might not be able to make a claim if your bag fails to show up on the airport luggage carousel on the way home.

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Drink and drugs

Anything alcohol or drug-related is outlawed by most insurance policies. If you're on holiday and come a cropper after one or two beers too many, don't expect your insurer to pay up for any injuries. And if you decide to hold a party in your house and it gets out of control causing items to be damaged or stolen, your home insurer may refuse to pay up.