Travel insurance for pregnancy

The good news is that you can still get a travel insurance policy if you’re pregnant, depending on how far along you are. However, it’s important to remember that most insurers will only cover single, uncomplicated pregnancies following natural conception.

Some insurance companies will cover pregnancies up to 30 weeks (if you meet certain conditions), while other insurance providers will only offer cover up to somewhere between 18 to 26 weeks pregnant.

When it comes to travel insurance, pregnancy is not generally considered a pre-existing condition if you (the insured) are pregnant when you take out your policy, but it will depend on the insurer. Typically, you won’t have to declare your pregnancy if you’re under 18-26 weeks pregnant for a single pregnancy, depending on the policy you choose.

However, if you suffer from any known pregnancy complications or related pre-existing conditions, you’ll need to declare these to your insurer. These might include pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. Your policy may be able to cover these conditions in case you need medical treatment or emergency assistance overseas, or you may be able to pay an additional premium to ensure you have the coverage you need.

Travel insurance is designed to provide financial protection for when things don’t go quite as planned on your trip, like a medical emergency or travel delay. Travelling while pregnant can come with added risks, not to mention stress. That’s why it’s important for expectant mothers to take out a travel insurance policy.

Travel insurance can cover you while pregnant and provide you with peace of mind. However, most policies won’t provide cover for any expenses incurred if your baby is born prematurely and won’t cover medical expenses related to regular antenatal care. Remember, you may need to submit a medical assessment of your pregnancy when applying for cover, so your insurer can decide whether your policy covers your condition.

Travel insurance for pregnancy offers the same benefits as any other travel insurance, including cover for medical emergencies, evacuation or repatriation, trip delays or cancellations, lost luggage or personal items, theft and rental car excess. This means that you’d typically be covered for:

• Unexpected pregnancy-related complications for a limited period (i.e. up to 23 weeks for many policies, but this cover varies between insurers).
• Overseas emergency medical care and hospital expenses if you suffer from an unexpected illness, complication or serious injury related to your pregnancy.
• Trip cancellation cover if your doctor advises you’re not fit to travel because of complications or the risk of childbirth.
• 24-hour emergency assistance.

As with any travel insurance product, the level of cover for pregnancy will vary between insurers and policies. So, before you make a decision, read through the terms and conditions and be sure you understand the limits, sub-limits and exclusions. You can find all these details and more in your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD).

It’s important to remember that travel insurance policies come with exclusions and that cover for pregnancy comes with conditions. As such, it’s crucial you understand what you are and aren’t covered for before you purchase a policy. As a general rule, pregnant travellers may not be covered if:

• You conceived through an assisted fertility treatment such as IVF
• You need to claim for expenses related to childbirth or the healthcare of a newborn
• You travel against medical advice from your doctor
• You’re having multiple babies such as twins or triplets
• You’re planning to travel after the maximum weeks of pregnancy permitted (typically during the third trimester, but this will vary by insurer)
• You’ve experienced complications of pregnancy (including prior miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies or premature labour)
• You try to claim routine doctor check-ups for your pregnancy while overseas.

Carefully read through the PDS before signing up to a policy to know what you’re covered for. Similarly, check with your airline or cruise operator to ensure they don’t have their own restrictions on pregnant women flying or sailing.

The first 12 weeks of your pregnancy are crucial for your baby’s development, and you’ll finish it with a maternal blood test and an ultrasound.¹ While it’s typically a safe enough time to travel, you may be experiencing some regular morning sickness during this trimester. Because of this, you may want to consider scheduling any trips until after the 12th week.

Now is a great time to have a babymoon, because the second trimester is the safest time for you to travel (so long as you’re not experiencing any complications).² Consult your doctor before you make any travel arrangements, as they will be able to give you the best advice for your situation, including any vaccines you may need on your travels.

Some airlines may not let you fly if you’re far into your third trimester, or if the flight time exceeds a certain length (e.g. four hours). Even if they allow you to fly, you may still need to produce a note from your doctor stating that you’re fit to travel. When it comes to travel insurance for pregnancy, some insurers only provide cover up to the 26th week, so if it’s just for leisure, you should reconsider any travel plans.