Travel Insurance for Pregnant Women
Thinking about travelling while you’re pregnant? Let’s take a look at your travel insurance options.
Travel Insurance When You Are Pregnant
Travel insurance is essential for everyone going on vacation, business trips, or traveling for any other reasons. If you are pregnant, you might wonder if there’s special travel insurance for pregnant women. Well, there isn’t. Pregnant women can buy travel insurance in the same way as if they’re not expecting because most insurers don’t treat pregnancy as a medical condition. Furthermore, you won’t be charged extra premiums because you’re pregnant.
Keep in mind, however, that travel insurance only covers you for complications that may arise due to pregnancy and childbirth, not for routine treatments or normal birth. There are also some time restrictions. For example, some insurers would only cover for complications caused by premature birth within the first 32 weeks.
Every insurer can have different coverage for pregnant women, so it is vital that you read the policy details for any conditions or exclusions.
Key Points
- There is no special travel insurance for pregnant women. You can purchase travel insurance in the same way as if you’re not pregnant.
- Travel insurance only covers you for complications that may arise due to pregnancy and childbirth, not for routine treatments or normal birth.
- Every insurer can have different coverage for pregnant women.
What Is Covered By Travel Insurance For Pregnant Women?
Travel insurance for pregnant women offers the same cover as any other travel insurance. The basic cover can vary from one policy to another, so you need to check the small print. However, you’re generally covered for:
Medical expenses, including pregnancy-related complications and emergency caesarean section.
- Medical repatriation.
- Lost and stolen luggage.
- Personal liability.
- Flight cancellation.
- Trip curtailment.
You can claim for any of the above coverage because you have a pregnancy-related condition.
Remember that, like other types of insurance, the cover gets more extensive if you pay a higher premium. However, whatever policy you decided to take, make sure to check the level of excess payments payable when you need to file a claim. The excess is the amount you have to contribute towards the claim you’re filing.
What Are the Exclusions?
As mentioned before, travel insurance for pregnant women offers the same coverage as other travel insurance plans. And like other travel insurance, there are always limits and exclusions.
The exclusions for every policy are different. Typically, you won’t be covered for the following things:
- If you are travelling when your doctor advises you not to travel.
- If the airline or travel operators don’t let you travel.
- If you have a pregnancy-related condition before travelling and you don’t inform your insurer.
- For routine treatment in a normal pregnancy or childbirth. Remember that your travel insurance only covers you for emergencies and new conditions.
- For premature birth after a specific period in your pregnancy.
Travel insurance for pregnant women offers the same cover as any other travel insurance, which means it costs the same.
What Happens If I Become Pregnant After I’ve Booked Travel Insurance?
If you find out you’re pregnant after purchasing travel insurance, it would be better to contact the insurer and ask if there’s a policy that suits pregnant women better. Furthermore, you should talk to your doctor or midwife about travelling while pregnant. You should also check health advice for the destination you are going to visit in case it requires any vaccination for the safety of your pregnancy.
If you find out or feel unsafe to travel, you can cancel your trip. The policy you get will cover for cancellation if:
- You bought the insurance before you know you were pregnant, and you will be more than 32 weeks pregnant at the time you’re travelling.
- Your doctor advises you not to travel because of pregnancy complications.
You won’t have to declare whether or not you are pregnant unless you have a pregnancy-related medical condition.
What To Keep In Mind
Pregnant is not an illness or medical condition, but it would be better if you let your insurer know you’re pregnant. If you don’t notify the insurer before you fly, you will not be covered by your pregnancy-related condition. During pregnancy, a well-deserved rest might be just what your doctor ordered. Therefore, you need to plan ahead of time to get a smooth and stress-free holiday.
Flying during pregnancy is safe. As long as you don’t have any issues with your pregnancy, flying shouldn’t cause any problems. Still, it would be better to talk to your doctor before taking a flight. Also, it would be best if you avoid flying after 37 weeks of pregnancy or 32 weeks if you’re expecting twins.
Keep in mind that most airlines will ask to see a confirmation letter from your doctor if you are pregnant. Therefore, you should take your medical notes with you in case you need to see a doctor while you’re travelling. Make sure to bring your doctor’s contact details as well. If you have a medical condition related to your pregnancy, you should inform your insurer.
Is It Hard To Get A Quote For Travel Insurance When You’re Pregnant?
No, getting a travel insurance quote while you’re pregnant shouldn’t be hard. It will be the same as if you’re buying travel insurance when you’re not pregnant. You will only need to enter the destination(s) you’re travelling to, the dates you’ll be travelling, and some other personal information. You will also have to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions that you might have.
Pregnancy is not a medical condition. Therefore, it doesn’t make any difference to the availability of the insurance or the price. You won’t have to declare whether or not you are pregnant unless you have a pregnancy-related medical condition.