Find the right pregnancy travel insurance – you can secure cover during your third trimester. However, very few providers will offer insurance after 30 weeks.
Your trip typically needs to end before 32 weeks gestation for pregnancy-related cover.
Routine antenatal care, planned childbirth and standard pregnancy symptoms are not covered.
The second trimester, 13-26 weeks, is generally the safest time to travel.
Compare travel insurance for pregnancy
Enter your trip details, filter by "Pregnancy", and select 'More info' to see each travel insurers maximum gestation period.
Got a quote before?
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:
toxaemia
gestational diabetes
gestational hypertension
pre-eclampsia
ectopic pregnancy
molar pregnancy or hydatidiform mole
post-partum haemorrhage
retained placenta membrane
placental abruption
hyperemesis gravidarum
placenta praevia
stillbirth
miscarriage
emergency caesarean section
a termination due to medical reasons
premature births (insurers may have a gestation limit)
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.
Private Health Insurance vs. Travel Insurance
It is crucial to distinguish between these two types of cover. Travel insurance is designed for emergencies and "unforeseen" complications while away from home. Conversely, private health insurance (PHI) in Australia is intended for clinical care, elective choices, and planned hospital births. For example, travel insurance will rarely cover a planned birth in a foreign hospital, whereas a Gold-tier PHI policy is specifically designed to facilitate this in an Australian private hospital (Source: Commonwealth Ombudsman).
Hospital vs. Extras Cover
When looking at private health insurance for pregnancy, you must understand the difference between Hospital and Extras cover:
Hospital Cover: This is essential if you want to give birth as a private patient in either a private or public hospital. It typically covers hospital accommodation, theatre fees, and a portion of the doctors' fees while you are admitted. Pregnancy and birth (obstetrics) are usually only included in 'Gold' tier policies or some 'Silver Plus' variations (Source: PrivateHealth.gov.au).
Extras Cover: This covers services provided outside of a hospital. For pregnant women, this may include prenatal or postnatal classes, physiotherapy, compression garments, or chiropractic care. Crucially, Extras cover does not pay for the birth itself or hospital stays (Source: Healthdirect Australia).
Waiting Periods for Obstetrics
In Australia, private health funds strictly enforce waiting periods to prevent people from joining only when they need a high-value claim.
Standard Waiting Period: There is a mandatory 12-month waiting period for pregnancy and birth-related services. This means you must have held the appropriate level of cover for a full year before the date you are admitted to hospital for the birth (Source: Australian Government Department of Health).
Pre-existing Conditions: While most pre-existing conditions also have a 12-month wait, pregnancy is uniquely categorised. Even if you were not aware of the pregnancy when you joined, the 12-month rule still applies to the delivery (Source: Commonwealth Ombudsman).
Newborn Cover: To ensure your baby is covered from birth without their own waiting periods, you usually need to upgrade to a family policy at least two to three months before the due date (Source: Medibank).
How do travel insurers cover pregnancy?
Here's a more detailed breakdown of how some of Australia's most popular travel insurers cover pregnancy.
{"userFilters":[{"config":{"VALUES":"International, Australia, N\/A, Inbound"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FILTERS.POLICY_TYPE"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Policy Type","order":1},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"COVID-19 medical expenses,Border closure cover,Rearrangement costs if you get COVID-19,Compulsory quarantine costs,Arrival quarantine costs"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FILTERS.COVID_BENEFITS"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Covid benefits","order":2},{"config":{"VALUES":"Yes, No, Cover Chosen"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FILTERS.CANCELLATION_AND_AMENDMENT_FEES"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Cancellation and amendment fees","order":3},{"config":{"VALUES":"Yes, No, Optional"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FILTERS.RENTAL_CAR"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Rental Car Excess Insurance","order":4},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"Cancellation, Rental car, Motorcycle, Winter sports, Increase luggage limits, Cruise, Golf, Adventure pack, Bicycle pack, High value items, Device pack, Business pack, Pregnancy pack"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FILTERS.OPTIONAL_ADD_ONS_AVAILABLE"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Optional add ons available","order":5},{"dataSelector":{"recordType":"UI_FILTER_COMPONENT","fieldCode":"SPECIAL_OFFERS"},"dataType":"BOOLEAN","label":"Special offers","componentType":"SpecialOffersFilter","config":{"VALUES":"1","fields":[{"value":"exclusive_only","label":"Finder Rewards & exclusives"},{"value":"all_offers_no_rewards","label":"All offers"}]},"options":{"comparator":"eq"},"queryParameter":"special-offers"}],"niche":{"currencySymbol":"$","decimalPoint":".","decimalPlaces":"2","thousandsSeparator":",","filterBoundsMap":{"product.FILTERS.POLICY_TYPE":null,"product.FILTERS.COVID_BENEFITS":null,"product.FILTERS.CANCELLATION_AND_AMENDMENT_FEES":null,"product.FILTERS.RENTAL_CAR":null,"product.FILTERS.OPTIONAL_ADD_ONS_AVAILABLE":null}},"prefilled":false,"experimental":false}
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
Our expert says
"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."
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?
Yes, most airlines require a 'fit to fly' letter from your doctor or midwife especially if you are in your second or third trimester. This letter should state your estimated due date, confirm you have an uncomplicated pregnancy and that you are fit for travel. Always check with your specific airline as their rules vary regarding gestation limits and when a medical certificate is needed, as insurers expect you to follow airline rules for your policy to remain valid.
Cruise lines often have strict policies regarding pregnant passengers due to limited medical facilities on board. Many will refuse to carry passengers who will be 24 or 28 weeks pregnant or more at any point during the cruise. If you are pregnant and planning a cruise, you must check the cruise line's specific terms and conditions before booking. Travel insurance will only cover you for pregnancy related issues on a cruise if the cruise line permits you to travel and your policy includes the necessary pregnancy cover and gestation limits.
If you become pregnant after purchasing your travel insurance policy you should notify your insurer as soon as possible. Your cover will depend on the terms and conditions of your policy. Some insurers may still cover unexpected pregnancy complications up to their maximum gestation limits, provided the pregnancy is declared and approved. However, some policies may exclude cover if the pregnancy was not declared at the time of purchase or if it is considered a pre-existing condition. Always review your policy's PDS and speak to your insurer directly.
If your baby is born overseas you will need to apply for their birth registration and potentially a passport from the local authorities and the Australian embassy or consulate in that country. The baby's citizenship will depend on the laws of the country where they were born and Australian citizenship law. Travel insurance does not typically cover the costs or arrangements for obtaining a newborn's travel documents or citizenship.
Travel insurance policies generally do not cover the repatriation costs for a newborn baby if born overseas even in an emergency. The cost of bringing a premature or ill baby back to Australia can be substantial potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. While some policies may cover emergency medical care for the mother and potentially for a premature baby within strict limits, repatriation for the baby is almost always excluded.
Coverage for pregnancies conceived through IVF or other assisted reproductive services varies significantly between insurers. Some policies may explicitly exclude cover for any complications arising from such pregnancies. Other insurers may offer cover but only after a medical assessment and potentially requiring an additional premium. When purchasing cover, you must declare that your pregnancy was conceived through assisted reproduction when you apply for your policy. Failure to do so could void any claims related to your pregnancy.
Jessica Prasida brings a decade of experience in the travel industry, including over four years as a travel agent and branch manager at STA Travel. She holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Marketing from the University of Technology, Sydney, as well as a Tier 1 General Insurance qualification that complies with ASIC guidelines. An avid traveller herself, Jessica combines her professional expertise with a passion for ensuring safe and enjoyable journeys for all travellers. Jessica was a Travel Insurance Publisher at Finder from 2019 to 2024.
See full bio
James Martin was the insurance editor at Finder. He has written on a range of insurance and finance topics for over 7 years. James often shares his insurance expertise as a media spokesperson and has appeared on Prime 7 News, Insurance News, 7NEWS and The Guardian. An experienced journalist, James' work has featured in publications including The Irish Times, Companies100 and In Business. He holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, both of which meet the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
See full bio
James's expertise
James
has written
180
Finder guides across topics including:
Some of the insurance companies you have listed above show they cover for IVF and Multiple pregnancies but when I go to their sites one or both of these conditions isn’t covered. Is this table up to date? Thanks
Finder
RichardApril 7, 2016Finder
Hi Sally,
Thanks for your question. I have gone through the table to make sure the information is correct. A couple of the providers have indeed updated their information. The data contained in the table reflects the information available in the product disclosure statements (PDS) available from each insurance brand and is up to date.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
ErinNovember 10, 2016
Your table is still out of date. Already been through three of the companies you listed as being ok to cover pregnancies as a result of IVF and none so far actually cover this.
Finder
RichardNovember 11, 2016Finder
Hi Erin,
Thanks for getting in touch. I’ve reviewed the table and amended those policies which have been updated. It looks like for the majority, you’ll need to provide a pre-existing medical declaration. Also, Worldcare does offer this cover.
All the best,
Richard
RebeccaMarch 11, 2016
Hi,
I am planning to travel to Fiji for 1week, returning in my 32nd week of pregnancy. Obstetrician is happy for me to go.
Single, unassisted and healthy pregnancy.
I have found some providers that will cover me, but not the baby if it is born prematurely. Can you provide any advice on who would cover the costs for both me and the baby?
Thank you,
Rebecca
Finder
RichardMarch 13, 2016Finder
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for your question.
There are a lot of travel insurance brands that include pregnancy cover as part of their standard policy. While a fair few insurers cover emergency births, some insurers do not cover childbirth at any stage of the pregnancy.
If the policy you are going to take out covers pregnancy, then there’s a good chance it will cover emergency births. If this is something you’re worried about, make sure you confirm directly with your insurer.
Dear Will,
I would like to ask you, if you can recommend me some travel insurance. I will travel to Israel on 2.July till 13.July and will be in my 31./32. week of pregnancy. Im from Czech rep. and here we have travel insurance covering pregnancy issues just till 28.week. Thanks for your answer
Finder
RichardJune 16, 2015Finder
Hi Lucie,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and we are not permitted to provide personalised advice. The travel insurers in our panel provide policies for Australian citizen and those in Australia on certain visas.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
CatApril 30, 2015
Will anyone cover a refund of paid for bookings if I get pregnant after paying and therefore have to cancel because the destination is not safe during pregnancy (such as Cusco in Peru)?
Finder
WilliamMay 1, 2015Finder
Hi Cat,
Generally Pregnancy will be only covered up to 26 weeks inclusive, if it is a single, natural and no complications and cover will only be provided if it is an emergency. General check ups are not covered under the policy.You would not covered if it is unsafe to travel, you are only covered for cancellation if case there is a complication that has been certified by a medical practitioner.
I hope this helps,
Will
HbAugust 3, 2017
Hi can I check if a 26 week 5 day pregnancy would be covered under the ’26 week inclusive’ clause? Thanks very much.
ArnoldAugust 4, 2017
Hi Hb,
Thanks for your inquiry.
This extension provides cover from the 26th week of pregnancy for unexpected pregnancy-related complications, childbirth, and care of new-born during the trip, provided:
– Your trip does not extend beyond the 30th week of pregnancy
– You’re not traveling against the advice of your doctor or midwife
– There have been no complications with your pregnancy
– It’s not a multiple pregnancy
– The pregnancy did not result from assisted reproductive programs
Note: if you have any non-pregnancy related medical conditions you will need to apply for this extension by phone
Want to make sure you're covered in case your relative falls ill or passes away at home while you're travelling? Read more.
Important information about this website
Finder is a comparison service. We do not compare every product or every provider in the market.
We make money through commercial arrangements with some of the providers on this site. Products marked 'Sponsored', 'Promoted', 'Featured' or 'Advertisement' appear as a result of a commercial arrangement.
Our editorial content, product reviews and any 'Top Pick' designations are prepared independently of these commercial arrangements.
The default order of products in our tables can be influenced by commercial arrangements. You can re-sort or filter using the controls above each table.
Some content on this site may be generated or supported by AI tools. You should verify details directly with the provider.
Finder is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stand by our editorial principles.
Our comparison service does not include every product or every provider in the market. Some product issuers offer their products under multiple brands or through associated companies. Where we can, we identify the underlying issuer so you can compare like with like, but you should always check with the provider directly to confirm which brand you are dealing with.
Finder is a comparison website and an intermediary. We are not a product issuer and we do not provide personal financial or credit advice. When you click a link to a product, or apply for a product through our site, you deal directly with the product issuer. We may receive a referral fee, commission or other payment from the issuer if you click through, apply or take out a product. We describe these arrangements in more detail under 'How we make money' below.
Product features, fees, terms and eligibility criteria are set by the product issuer and may change. We rely on information supplied by issuers when we present product details on our site. Before you apply for or take out any product, you should confirm the details directly with the issuer.
We earn revenue from Finder in four principal ways:
Referral fees and commissions. When you click a product link, complete an enquiry form or apply for a product through our site, we may receive a referral fee, commission or other payment from the product issuer. We may also receive payment based on the volume of leads or conversions we send to an issuer.
Sponsored placements. Products marked 'Sponsored', 'Promoted', 'Featured' or 'Advertisement' appear as a result of a commercial arrangement between Finder and the issuer. These labels always indicate a paid placement. We do not use them for editorial choices.
Display advertising. Banner advertising, newsletter advertising and similar display ads on our site are paid by advertisers.
Content sponsorship. Some articles, videos and social media posts are sponsored by an issuer and are clearly labelled as such.
Our editorial opinions, product reviews and any 'Top Pick' designations are prepared independently of these commercial arrangements. A 'Top Pick' is an editorial choice made by our writers and editors based on the criteria described on each comparison page. A 'Top Pick' is not a personal recommendation and does not mean the product is appropriate for your circumstances.
If you would like to know whether we have a commercial arrangement with a specific product issuer, please contact us.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the default order can be influenced by commercial arrangements we have with product issuers. In some categories, sponsored or featured products appear in the top positions of the table by default, and are always labelled as such.
Other factors that influence default order include price, fees and features, and (where relevant) our editorial view of the product.
You can re-sort every comparison table using the controls above the table. You can filter by product features that matter to you. The order you see after re-sorting or filtering is not influenced by commercial arrangements.
Some content on this site is generated or supported by artificial intelligence tools, including our AI-powered assistant FinderBot. AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify important information directly with the product issuer before making a financial decision. For more information about FinderBot, see the FinderBot Terms of Use and FinderBot Privacy Collection Notice.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Some of the insurance companies you have listed above show they cover for IVF and Multiple pregnancies but when I go to their sites one or both of these conditions isn’t covered. Is this table up to date? Thanks
Hi Sally,
Thanks for your question. I have gone through the table to make sure the information is correct. A couple of the providers have indeed updated their information. The data contained in the table reflects the information available in the product disclosure statements (PDS) available from each insurance brand and is up to date.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Your table is still out of date. Already been through three of the companies you listed as being ok to cover pregnancies as a result of IVF and none so far actually cover this.
Hi Erin,
Thanks for getting in touch. I’ve reviewed the table and amended those policies which have been updated. It looks like for the majority, you’ll need to provide a pre-existing medical declaration. Also, Worldcare does offer this cover.
All the best,
Richard
Hi,
I am planning to travel to Fiji for 1week, returning in my 32nd week of pregnancy. Obstetrician is happy for me to go.
Single, unassisted and healthy pregnancy.
I have found some providers that will cover me, but not the baby if it is born prematurely. Can you provide any advice on who would cover the costs for both me and the baby?
Thank you,
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for your question.
There are a lot of travel insurance brands that include pregnancy cover as part of their standard policy. While a fair few insurers cover emergency births, some insurers do not cover childbirth at any stage of the pregnancy.
If the policy you are going to take out covers pregnancy, then there’s a good chance it will cover emergency births. If this is something you’re worried about, make sure you confirm directly with your insurer.
You may see the list of insurers on the pregnancy travel insurance and speak to insurers that includes emergency childbirth.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Dear Will,
I would like to ask you, if you can recommend me some travel insurance. I will travel to Israel on 2.July till 13.July and will be in my 31./32. week of pregnancy. Im from Czech rep. and here we have travel insurance covering pregnancy issues just till 28.week. Thanks for your answer
Hi Lucie,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and we are not permitted to provide personalised advice. The travel insurers in our panel provide policies for Australian citizen and those in Australia on certain visas.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Will anyone cover a refund of paid for bookings if I get pregnant after paying and therefore have to cancel because the destination is not safe during pregnancy (such as Cusco in Peru)?
Hi Cat,
Generally Pregnancy will be only covered up to 26 weeks inclusive, if it is a single, natural and no complications and cover will only be provided if it is an emergency. General check ups are not covered under the policy.You would not covered if it is unsafe to travel, you are only covered for cancellation if case there is a complication that has been certified by a medical practitioner.
I hope this helps,
Will
Hi can I check if a 26 week 5 day pregnancy would be covered under the ’26 week inclusive’ clause? Thanks very much.
Hi Hb,
Thanks for your inquiry.
This extension provides cover from the 26th week of pregnancy for unexpected pregnancy-related complications, childbirth, and care of new-born during the trip, provided:
– Your trip does not extend beyond the 30th week of pregnancy
– You’re not traveling against the advice of your doctor or midwife
– There have been no complications with your pregnancy
– It’s not a multiple pregnancy
– The pregnancy did not result from assisted reproductive programs
Note: if you have any non-pregnancy related medical conditions you will need to apply for this extension by phone
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Arnold