The Foreign Office has launched a campaign to persuade British travellers of the perils of going abroad uninsured, after a survey showed that one in seven never take out insurance.

The FCO's campaign, Know Before You Go, aims to encourage holidaymakers to prepare properly. According to their survey, some 70% of travellers don't bother to research their destination before departure.

While 8 million uninsured trips are taken annually, it claims nearly 1 in 4 travellers have experienced a major problem abroad. 10,000 emergency passports were issued in the 1999-2000.

Foreign Office minister Baroness Amos said: "British people make more than 53 million overseas trips each year, but many travellers don't take out travel insurance or check the safety of their destination before they go. It's a situation that spoils thousands of holidays. Last year alone it cost more than 400 lives."

The FCO's travellers' checklist of 10 things to do before you go:

• Check the FCO's travel advice online or call 0207 008 0232
• Get travel insurance and check the cover is appropriate
• Make sure whoever you book through is with ABTA or ATOL
• Take enough money for your trip
• Ensure you have a valid passport and necessary visas
• Check what vaccinations you need at least 6 weeks before you go
• Check if you need to take extra health precautions at www.doh.gov.uk/traveladvice
• Know about where you are going. Find out about local laws and customs- get a good guidebook
• Make copies of your passport, insurance policy plus 24 hour emergency number, and ticket details - leave copies with family and friends
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with family and friends and a way of contacting you such as email