Around 25 per cent of all students embarking on gap year travels have either no or very little insurance.

Gapyear.com, a website primarily geared towards students, says that this could potentially be financially disastrous for parents as they bail out children who have had accidents or been robbed.

Tom Griffiths, founder of the information site, said that the average price to get an air ambulance is now around £18,000.

He cited the example of a boy who had fallen ill on a mountain in Nepal whose medical treatment and transport costs came to over £50,000.

"We are seriously concerned," he said.

"No parent would ever let their child jump in a car without car insurance, yet they'll let them leave the country without travel insurance."

Another problem, he said, was that adventure-hungry backpackers looking to bungee jump or go white water rafting, may not realise that a basic insurance policy may not cover hazardous sports.

Others may not be aware that, when hiring mopeds, they may be covered up to 250ccs but not if they upgrade to more powerful bikes.

A Mintel report reveals that 230,000 18 to 24 year-olds will go backpacking on gap year travel every year.

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