As St Valentines Day approaches would-be Romeos should take care to ensure that their grand romantic gesture doesn’t turn out to be more expensive than they thought.

With thoughts turning to romantic weekends away, thanks to a new generation of low cost airlines, Halifax General Insurance wants to remind all lovebirds that even a two-day trip to Paris requires travel insurance.

And for those truly 'loved-up' individuals who are planning to pop the big question or simply knock their sweetheart off his or her feet with an expensive gift, Halifax is advising that you should check that the engagement ring or diamond earrings that you have hidden in your suitcase are actually insured.

Howard Posner, Chief Executive Officer of Halifax General Insurance said:

“The protection of a travel insurance policy is paramount whether you are going away just for a weekend or for a month. It is easy to forget insurance if you are planning a short surprise break.”

“And if you do plan to take an expensive piece of jewellery with you on a trip abroad you need to ensure it is covered. Most travel policies have single item limits of just a few hundred pounds, so a gift or engagement ring worth more than this would probably have to be covered by your home contents policy instead.”

According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, more than 40% of Britons who go on short breaks abroad fail to take out adequate travel insurance despite the fact that it is equally as necessary on short breaks as it is on annual summer holidays.