Have you seen a film that has made you afraid to travel? Films like 'Taken' and 'Ransom' should serve as a warning to prepare properly with travel insurance. Spare a thought for the businessmen that travel all over the world on behalf of their companies; they have their business travel insurance to lean on, but not Denzel Washington to come to the rescue.

Hollywood is in the business of exaggerating for effect. Nonetheless, there have been plenty of movies where one poor character gets abducted and the hero has to find them. Who can forget the ordeal of Meg Ryan's husband in "Proof of Life" when he is held in a jungle in South America? Such films make you wonder how risky travelling really is, and if your travel insurance will pay for Russell Crowe and the helicopter to get you out.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office is a good place to start when planning a journey; it has the latest safety advice about travel to countries around the world, as well as guidance on local customs. Make a visit to the FCO site part of your preparations before your trip, along with checking your travel insurance policy and arranging a transfer to the airport.