Travel insurance: Pregnancy

What is pregnancy travel insurance?

Pregnancy travel insurance is a policy that will cover you for pregnancy-related expenses while you travel. It's most handy for unexpected medical expenses and cancellation. While it's not usually a specific type of policy, you can get covered by choosing the right travel insurance for your trip.

It can cover you for;

• Financial support for unexpected medical complications
• Emergency childbirth
• Cancellation cover if your doctor says it's not safe to travel
• Additional expenses to fly your partner or a relative to support you in case of emergency
• Your repatriation to Australia in case of emergency (this usually won't cover the repatriation of your baby if it's born overseas)
• Daily hospital cash allowance to cover things like TV use and magazines in the hospital

Does travel insurance cover pregnancy complications?

Yes, travel insurance may cover claims that arise from complications that include:

What isn't covered by pregnancy travel insurance?

There are certain situations and circumstances when pregnancy simply will not be covered by your travel insurance. Your insurer may not provide any cover if:

• Your claim is for antenatal care, childbirth or the care of a newborn child
• Your claim is for standard pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness, breast tenderness, fatigue, frequent urination, constipation and heartburn
• The purpose of your trip is to undergo fertility treatment
• You've experienced pregnancy complications prior to your policy being issued
• Your pregnancy was conceived through assisted reproduction services such as IVF
• You travel against medical advice
• Your pregnancy will pass the maximum period of gestation allowed by the insurer during your trip
• Your claim is for medical expenses incurred in Australia
• Your claim is for regular antenatal care and routine pregnancy check-ups, for example standard ultrasounds, blood tests or pregnancy tests

This list isn't exhaustive. If there's something specific that you're worried about, check directly with your chosen insurer.

How do travel insurers cover pregnancy?

Here's a more detailed breakdown of how some of Australia's most popular travel insurers cover pregnancy.

	Maximum Gestation Period	Unexpected complications	Twins	Emergency Childbirth	Newborn Care	Cancellation Expenses
	Up to 24 weeks		Up to 19 weeks			Up to an unlimited amount
	Up to 22 weeks		No cover			Up to $7,500
	Up to 24 weeks		No cover			Up to $5,000
	Up to 24 weeks		Cover available, gestation period not stated			Cover chosen
	Up to 30 weeks		Up to 20 weeks			Up to $20,000
	Up to 22 weeks		No cover			Up to $10,000
	Up to 36 weeks		Up to 32 weeks			Up to an unlimited amount
	Up to 26 weeks		Medical assessment must be completed			Up to an unlimited amount
	Up to 23 weeks		Up to 19 weeks			Up to an unlimited amount
	Up to 26 weeks		Cover available, gestation period not stated			Up to an unlimited amount
	Up to 32 weeks		Up to 28 weeks			Cover chosen
	Up to 26 weeks		Cover available, gestation period not stated			Chosen Limit*
	Up to 30 weeks		Up to 20 weeks			Up to an unlimited amount
	Up to 26 weeks		Cover available, gestation period not stated			Up to an unlimited amount
	Up to 26 weeks		No cover			Cover chosen
	Up to 26 weeks		Up to 19 weeks			Up to $25,000
	Up to 26 weeks		Up to 19 weeks			Up to $15,000
	Up to 24 weeks		19 weeks			Up to $40,000
	Up to 24 weeks		No cover			Cover chosen
	Up to 25 weeks		No cover			Up to $20,000
	Up to 24 weeks		Up to 19 weeks			Up to an unlimited amount
	Up to 20 weeks		Not mentioned			Up to $50,000

How to find the best travel insurance for pregnancy

Ask your doctor if it's safe to travel

Figure out your gestation period

Compare your options and choose a brand that will cover your gestation period

Make sure you have cover for pregnancy-related complications and cancellations

Buy the travel insurance policy as early as possible

When can I get travel insurance for pregnancy?

Most insurers can cover you if you're between 20-26 weeks pregnant. The risk of complications, including giving birth, increases as you move towards the end of your third trimester. But, you can still get cover outside of these times in some cases.

Be aware that some domestic travel policies won't include pregnancy cover. Also, insurers will likely set strict conditions about what they'll cover – and what they won't – in relation to your pregnancy.

Why Sarah got travel insurance

I have actually planned international travel around pregnancy in the past to give me peace of mind. The last thing I ever wanted was to end up giving birth in a foreign country without the same access to affordable healthcare we have in Australia. Different countries have different laws around 'viability' too, which is awful to think about – the gestation at which doctors think the baby being born is viable with life - but it's really important. In Australia viability is 24 weeks, but in other countries it's 26 weeks. Most recently I flew at 15 weeks pregnant and I read my policy that came free with my credit card before I travelled, and confirmed that as long as I spend at least $500 on travel using my card, I was covered for pregnancy up to 23 weeks.

Sarah Megginson
Head of editorial at Finder

Risks for pregnant women while travelling

While travel can be relaxing, memorable and fun, it also comes with a number of risks attached. Before hitting the road, make sure you’re aware of what can go wrong, and the complications it could cause for you and your unborn child:

• Illness. Falling ill on the road is not only unpleasant, it can also cause serious issues for pregnant women. Due to the increased risk of disease, travel to developing countries is not recommended. You should also be very wary of visiting any country where malaria is present, as malaria can cause miscarriage, premature labour and stillbirth.
• Food poisoning. Some infections can harm your baby or even lead to miscarriage, so be careful what you eat and drink if visiting a country with poor hygiene standards. Avoid undercooked meats and soft cheeses, wash your hands thoroughly, and don’t eat from dodgy street food vendors. If you’re not sure about the quality of the water supply, make sure to only drink bottled water.
• Medications. Pregnant women need to be wary of taking any medications during pregnancy. Some medications, including some products commonly used to treat traveller’s diarrhoea, are dangerous during pregnancy. Make sure you only take medication recommended by a doctor who is aware of your pregnancy.
• Stress. Battling crowds, rushing to make it to the airport on time and dealing with unexpected delays can all cause stress on a holiday. Try to just take it easy and go with the flow at all times, and avoid situations or experiences that are likely to cause stress. While piloting a scooter through the manic city streets of Hanoi might have been the perfect holiday experience when you were younger, a lazy beach holiday is a much better idea at this time of your life.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Extended periods without moving, such as on a plane or in a car, can cause clots to form in the deep veins of the leg. DVT can potentially be fatal, and pregnant women have a higher risk of developing it.
• Overheating. Overheating during pregnancy can cause serious problems, so take care if travelling in hot weather. Take it easy, stay hydrated at all times, avoid the hottest part of the day, wear plenty of sunscreen and avoid overexerting yourself.

Any more questions?

• When is the best time to travel when pregnant?

  According to pregnancybirthbaby.org, it's best to travel within the second trimester - between 13-26 weeks. At this time, you're at the lowest risk of complications. It's also helpful to note that some airlines have a restriction on gestation periods for your own safety. Make sure to check this before you travel, if you're denied boarding for being too far long in your prgenancy, travel insurance is unlikely to cover you.

• Do I have to pay extra for pregnancy cover?

  Not usually. Most insurers will automatically cover single, uncomplicated pregnancies at no extra cost. If you're having twins, have had fertility treatments (like IVF) or have pre-existing conditions related to your pregnancy, you may have to pay an additional premium.

• Can I get cover if I'm having twins or triplets?

  Yes. There are a fair few travel insurance brands that will cover multiple pregnancies. You may have to take an online medical assessment when applying and pay for any additional premiums for cover.

• Does travel insurance cover giving birth?

  Some travel insurers will cover emergency childbirths, but not all. Make sure to check directly with your insurer. If it's a planned overseas birth, your travel insurance probably won't cover the costs as it's usually for unexpected medical care.

• Will the baby be covered?

  It really depends on the insurer.
  There are many insurers who will not provide any cover for the cost of childbirth or expenses related to the medical care of a newborn baby. If you select such a policy and your baby is born overseas, keep in mind that you will most likely face extensive out-of-pocket expenses and, depending on where you're travelling, may not be able to access the best possible level of care for your baby.

  However, some insurers will provide cover if your baby arrives early, as long as your little bundle of joy is born inside the insurer's maximum weeks of pregnancy permitted time limit. As always, check the PDS closely to read the full terms and conditions and contact the insurer directly if there's anything you're unsure about.

• What if I hit 32 weeks after I've already commenced travel?

  If you reach the 32-week mark halfway through your holiday, don't expect your travel insurance to continue providing pregnancy cover all the way through until you return to Australia. In fact, many will refuse to provide any pregnancy cover for your trip unless you're due to return to Australia before the gestation limit has been reached.
  Once you've reached the insurer's maximum coverable gestation, you will most likely be unable to claim for anything related to your pregnancy or its complications.
  We recommend making sure your trip ends before you hit the 32-week mark to ensure your whole holiday is covered.

• What if I have to cancel my trip due to pregnancy

  If you're advised against travelling by your doctor, the good news is that your travel insurance policy can provide cover for the cost of cancelling your holiday. This includes cover for any cancellation fees you're required to pay, as well as any pre-paid deposits for accommodation, tours and the like that are non-refundable.
  You can also take advantage of trip interruption cover from your travel insurer. For example, if an unexpected complication develops during your journey and treating doctors recommend that the best course of action is for you to return home and rest, travel insurance can cover the cost of your forfeited pre-paid expenses and also the additional flights needed to get you home safely.

Read more:

• Worried you might have to cancel your trip?

• Get the right cover for pre-existing medical conditions

• Looking for top level cover? Get comprehensive travel insurance