If like me, you like to take total control for your holiday, mixing and matching components such as purchasing flights from one company, accommodation from another and car hire from another…beware! You, like me, and 18 million other people could be putting your holiday at risk in the event of bankruptcy of any one of the companies that sold you part of your holiday.

Flights and accommodation booked separately as part of a DIY holiday are unconnected, so if an airline or accommodation provider ceases trading you could be forced to buy alternative, often more expensive, replacements - if you cannot purchase replacements, you may be unable to claim back money already paid for the unused components of your holiday. You could even run the risk of being stranded abroad if the airline you flew with went bankrupt during your holiday.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which operates the ATOL financial protection scheme, is highlighting to holidaymakers the benefits of booking all elements of a holiday together with a single, ATOL-protected travel company, and urging travellers to check that their summer holidays are financially protected.

ATOL is the UK’s only licensing scheme for travel companies selling air holiday packages, protecting around 27 million people each year from losing money or being stranded abroad if their travel company goes bankrupt. Travel companies are also responsible for all aspects of the holiday, so if one element goes wrong, the company will make alternative arrangements.

The CAA has issued the following advice to consumers on how to check for ATOL holiday protection:

• Look out for the ATOL logo on websites and in brochures if you are booking online or by telephone;

• If booking with a travel agent, check out brochures and ask the agent to confirm whether ATOL is protecting the entire holiday;

• Check the company’s details online at www.atol.org.uk or call ATOL on 020 7453 6430 for free advice.

DIY package holidays are not protected under the ATOL scheme so consumers should consider:

• Booking with a credit card. But beware - this does not always mean full protection. You must have spent at least £100 on each element of the holiday to be covered;

• There is no protection for payments made via debit cards;

• Taking out travel insurance which covers against insolvency - but check the small print, as most policies do not include this cover or will not cover all consequential losses.

• Remember – you may only be covered for the component of your holiday that has gone bankrupt. You may not be able to claim for any subsequent losses from other components.

For more information and advice about ATOL and holiday protection, consumers should visit www.atol.org.uk or call 0207 453 6430.