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Travel Insurance for Pregnancy
Travel Insurance for Pregnancy
Written by
Tina Sendin
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettEasily compare Travel Insurance
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Does travel insurance cover pregnancy?
Long story short
Most uncomplicated pregnancies are covered by standard travel insurance
Many insurers will cover you up to a specific week of gestation, but the cut-off varies.
Pregnancy is not usually considered a pre-existing condition
But any related conditions you had before the policy, or that pop up unexpectedly, need a closer look.
Trip cancellation due to complications can be covered
If your doctor advises against travel due to unexpected issues, your policy may cover prepaid expenses.
Airlines have strict rules for flying while pregnant
If you’re denied boarding for not following their policy, travel insurance is unlikely to cover your losses.
Does travel insurance cover pregnancy?
Travel insurance can cover you if you’re pregnant, but it’s not as simple as ticking a box and forgetting all about it. While there’s no standalone travel insurance solely for pregnant people, there are some things to keep in mind when comparing pregnancy cover across different policies.
Many insurers include pregnancy cover in their standard policies if it’s an uncomplicated pregnancy and there’s only one bub in your belly. They also typically cover expectant mothers if they haven’t had any complications with other past pregnancies, and up to a certain point in your pregnancy – although the cut-off varies between insurers.
If you’re carrying twins or became pregnant through assisted fertility treatment like in vitro fertilisation or hormone therapies, then it’s worth double-checking with the insurer. Some policies cover these, while others might require you to apply for pregnancy cover and, if granted, pay an extra premium. Note, however, that not all travel insurers cover these situations at all.
We’ll get into the nitty-gritty of what’s usually covered and what’s not in travel insurance for pregnancy in just a tick. But the key is to read the product disclosure statement (PDS) like you’d joyfully watch an ultrasound screen – with laser-sharp focus. Now that there’s bub and you travelling, don’t be shy about giving your insurer a buzz if you’re unsure about anything.
Helpful tip
Most insurers won’t need a medical assessment for a single, uncomplicated pregnancy. But if you’ve had complications or are expecting multiples, you might need one. Either way, it’s a good idea to chat with your doctor before travelling to play it safe – and to help inform your decision on the travel insurance policy to get.
If you’re pregnant or planning to be, it’s worth locking in travel insurance early and ensuring there’s coverage for cancellations or medical emergencies.
And don’t forget – if you’re flying or taking a cruise, check with the airline or cruise line about their rules for pregnant travellers. Better to know now than get a shock at check-in!
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
Do I need travel insurance if I’m pregnant?
Yes. Travelling without insurance is a gamble at the best of times – and pregnancy can be unpredictable. Not to sound like a worrywart here, but a healthy pregnancy can develop complications without warning. If that happens overseas, you could be looking at staggering medical bills for things like premature labour or other emergencies.
When you’re pregnant, the stakes are higher. Morning sickness might be worse than you expected (especially if you’ve dealt with hyperemesis gravidarum – it’s next level), or your doctor could recommend against travelling at the last minute. Without insurance, you could risk losing all the money you’ve spent on your trip.
Beyond the medical side, travel insurance can also provide a safety net for cancellations, delays, stolen money, and lost luggage.
What does travel insurance typically cover around pregnancy?
Here’s where the rubber hits the road: what your policy covers and what it doesn’t. Coverage between travel insurers varies, so you’ll want to know the ins and outs of your policy before you jet off. However, here’s what coverage and exclusions could look like.
Cover for emergency childbirth if bub arrives early (cut-off dates vary by insurer and whether you’re having one or more)
Costs for premature birth – say more than 10 weeks early, or 18 weeks for twins or more
Medical bills for sudden pregnancy issues like gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia
Trip cancellation and pre-paid expenses covered if your doc says you have to cancel due to pregnancy complications (usually on higher-tier policies)
24/7 travel assistance services
If your pregnancy is further along than the cut-off (this varies between providers)
Trip cancellations or travel losses due to everyday pregnancy stuff like standard morning sickness or just feeling crook
Cover for newborns, if your bub is born overseas
Normal childbirth, unless there are serious, covered complications listed in the policy
A history of early delivery, say you’ve delivered early before and are told not to travel
Any complications not listed in your policy, or complications occurring after a certain cut-off, say 26 weeks of gestation
Cover for emergency childbirth if bub arrives early (cut-off dates vary by insurer and whether you’re having one or more)
Costs for premature birth – say more than 10 weeks early, or 18 weeks for twins or more
Medical bills for sudden pregnancy issues like gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia
Trip cancellation and pre-paid expenses covered if your doc says you have to cancel due to pregnancy complications (usually on higher-tier policies)
24/7 travel assistance services
If your pregnancy is further along than the cut-off (this varies between providers)
Trip cancellations or travel losses due to everyday pregnancy stuff like standard morning sickness or just feeling crook
Cover for newborns, if your bub is born overseas
Normal childbirth, unless there are serious, covered complications listed in the policy
A history of early delivery, say you’ve delivered early before and are told not to travel
Any complications not listed in your policy, or complications occurring after a certain cut-off, say 26 weeks of gestation
I’m pregnant and planning to travel. How can I benefit from travel insurance?
Hmm, what to expect when you’re expecting – and travelling? With how unpredictable pregnancy is, the answer to this question is a hard nut to crack. Planning a trip while pregnant can feel like trying to read the weather three months out. There are a million things that could go right – and a few that could throw your plans off the rails.
Think of travel insurance as a safety net and peace of mind for you and your future family member.
Medical coverage overseas
An emergency overseas can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Should any complications (listed in your policy) happen, or bub decides to arrive much earlier than expected, travel insurance could absorb that financial shock.
And with some insurers, knowing you have a 24/7 assistance team to call if something goes wrong is invaluable. They can help you find a doctor, arrange medical transport, and navigate a foreign healthcare system – things you don’t want to be figuring out during a crisis.
Non-medical benefits
Getting insured means you can actually relax. Apart from the medical stuff, you can also reap the other benefits of travel insurance.
Say if Murphy’s law hits and your bags decide to go on their own holiday while you catch your connecting flight. Maybe your flight gets delayed for 12 hours and you need to book a hotel. Or your wallet gets pinched while you’re shopping for baby clothes at a German weekend market.
You don’t need to stress (because, let’s face it, bub picks up on that too). Leave the worry to your insurer and get on with enjoying your trip.
Is pregnancy considered a pre-existing condition?
Pregnancy isn’t usually counted as a pre-existing condition, but there are rules depending on how far along you are and what comes up during your pregnancy.
Pregnant when you buy your policy (or fall pregnant afterwards)?
You could be covered for pregnancy-related events – as long as they happen before the insurer’s gestational cut-off and they’re listed in your policy. Any pregnancy illnesses like severe morning sickness or gestational diabetes have to pop up after you took out your policy for them to be covered.
Got a pre-existing pregnancy-related condition?
It’s probably not covered unless you add it as a specified medical condition on your policy. You might need to undergo a medical screening and get a written offer to cover from your insurer. Even then, these might likely be under the more comprehensive plans.
Have you and your partner been trying?
If you’re not pregnant yet but have an existing medical condition that’s linked to a previous pregnancy, you could also apply for a specified medical condition to be added to your policy. And again, you might need to go through the same process described above.
Do I need to inform my insurer if I’m pregnant?
Some insurers don’t require you to declare your pregnancy. But transparency is everything, especially if you want all your bases covered.
When you get a quote or purchase a policy, you’ll likely be asked a series of questions about your health. Its worth being honest about your pregnancy and how many weeks along you are. This can help make sure the policy you get is valid and adequate – so you can enjoy your holiday while living your best preggo life.
Frequently asked questions
I’m heavily pregnant and my airline didn’t let me fly. Can travel insurance cover my cancelled trip?
Generally, no. Sorry, but it’s your responsibility to check the airline’s policy on flying while pregnant before you book. Most airlines require a doctor’s certificate based on how far along you are and may not allow you to fly at all beyond a certain time.
For instance, Qantas’s pregnancy policy states that if you’re flying for over four hours, you’re good to travel up until the end of week 36 – if you’re having one bub. If you’re expecting multiples (like twins), you’ve got until week 32 to hop on a plane.
For a shorter trip than that (less than four hours), you can fly right up to the end of week 40 for a single pregnancy, or week 36 for multiples. But if you’re dealing with any pregnancy complications, you’ll need medical clearance.
If you’re denied boarding because you didn’t follow the airline’s rules, travel insurance is unlikely to cover your losses.
I’ve already booked my flight and suddenly can’t go anymore due to pregnancy complications. Can I be covered by travel insurance?
Some policies may cover trip cancellations due to pregnancy. If your doctor thinks you’re unfit for travel due to pregnancy complications, travel insurance can help you get sorted – especially if it’s got coverage for trip cancellation and pre-paid expenses. You’ll likely need to provide medical records to confirm the timing and the doctor’s recommendations, so it’s worth checking your policy’s details.
Do I need to inform the airline if I’m pregnant before flying?
You don’t really have to, especially if you have an uncomplicated pregnancy and are in the early days (like within the first 28 weeks). However, it’s prudent to check with your doctor (or midwife) and carry a medical certificate, especially if you’re further along and have complications. Most airlines have rules about flying while pregnant, and some might need a doctor’s certificate to give you the green light.
It’s a good idea to check the airline’s website on rules around this so you can avoid any dramas at check-in. Because no one wants to be grounded when they’re ready to take off!
Expecting adventures? Compare policies with iSelect
Pregnancy doesn’t have to put the brakes on your travel dreams – if you’ve done your homework and chosen suitable cover, you can set off with real peace of mind.
If you’re ready to explore travel insurance policies for you and your growing family, iSelect can help you compare travel insurance. It’s as breezy as a babymoon by the beach, and as quick as a baby’s first cheeky smile!
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