If you are pregnant, you can purchase pregnancy travel insurance in the same way as if you were not expecting it. Insurance companies do not treat pregnancy as a medical condition, and in most cases, you do not have to state that you are pregnant when applying for coverage. When purchasing travel insurance, keep in mind that pregnant women are considered relatively high risk, especially in the later months. If you plan to travel in the eight weeks leading up to your due date, you may have difficulties finding an insurance company that covers your condition. Some companies have a lower threshold and will not insure you after 26 or 27 weeks of pregnancy. So always make sure you are covered.
Is pregnancy considered a pre-existing condition by travel insurance?
Yes and No. Although you and I both know that pregnancy is not a disease, insurance companies are concerned with the fact that it is a stage of life that affects your health. This means that similar to what would happen if you had heart disease or diabetes, insurance companies need to place limits on the coverage you will receive – otherwise they take on very high risks. So be aware of these restrictions before you buy your insurance…or even before you book your next flight!
What is the fate of a pregnant woman with travel insurance?
Since labor is an inevitable part of any healthy pregnancy, insurance companies won’t cover a routine delivery while you’re travelling. Remember that travel insurance covers unexpected medical emergencies. So just like insulin for diabetics will not be covered out of state, nor will the cost of having a baby close to your due date be covered. However, exceptions do occur in some premature births. It is important that you read your policy carefully to see if your travel dates (and due date) will exclude you from coverage.
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What does travel insurance for pregnant women cover?
Travel insurance for pregnant women provides the same coverage as any other travel insurance, including medical expenses, medical repatriation, personal liability, lost and stolen baggage, and trip cancellation. Although basic coverage can vary from policy to policy, so check lowercase in all cases.
Many policies are ‘intervened’ so that cover becomes more comprehensive if you pay a higher premium. With travel insurance, you get what you pay for, meaning cheaper policies tend to offer lower levels of coverage. Whichever policy you choose, check the level of overpayment payable in the event of a claim (excess is the amount you must contribute to any claim you make).
With some policies, you pay extra per policy (this is the best option) while with others you pay in excess of everyone named on the policy (not ideal unless the policy offers comprehensive coverage at a very competitive premium).
What is not covered in travel insurance for pregnant women?
Like many pregnant women, you may think that travel insurance will help you cover your bases while traveling. Unfortunately, the vast majority of regular travel insurance policies you come across will not include pregnancy coverage, and this is usually disclosed within the terms and conditions of these policies. Most insurance providers consider pregnancy to be a pre-existing condition, which is why it is not usually covered. When comparing policies, remember to look specifically for pregnancy coverage as regular policies are unlikely to cover it.
Does travel insurance ask for medical records?
While pregnancy is not considered a medical condition when you purchase a travel insurance policy, if you’ve been diagnosed with a pre-existing medical condition (diabetes, for example), you’ll need to declare this before purchasing your policy. This is because your case may need separate coverage, and this may come at an additional cost.
If you have an existing condition that you need to declare, you can use our simple medical examination process. Remember that if you do not declare your medical condition before purchasing your policy, you will not be covered if anything happens. If you need any guidance or help, contact us and we will help you get the best insurance policy for your pregnancy.
What is covered under international travel insurance for pregnant women?
Being able to travel safely during pregnancy also depends on the type of travel you are considering. A top priority for many is traveling during pregnancy and visiting areas with less advanced medical care. A trip in a remote area known for malaria-carrying mosquitoes is clearly not recommended. Alternatively, a short plane trip or a train trip to explore a new city where you can walk, rest and eat well can be a fun and memorable experience for parents.
You might consider traveling in your second trimester (about 14 weeks to 27 weeks at the most), which usually coincides with that quiet time after morning sickness and before the important fact of childbirth.
While not all travel insurance plans cover cancellations due to an unexpected pregnancy, some will. In this case, you will likely need to provide evidence that the pregnancy occurred after the effective date of your plan. This must be a medical document signed by your doctor.
Travel insurance & Pregnancy?
If you want to cancel your trip due to a “normal” health pregnancy, unfortunately most comprehensive travel insurance plans will not cover the costs of your trip. If you purchase an all-inclusive plan and choose the cancellation feature for any reason, you will be able to cancel and pay a portion of the cost of your trip.
Cancellation for any reason reimburses a percentage of the prepaid, non-refundable flight cost and you must be eligible for coverage by purchase within a certain number of days after you make the first payment on your flight. Also, in most cases, you must insure the full cost of the flight and you will usually need to cancel your flight 48 hours before the scheduled departure date. Cancellation coverage for any reason will not allow you to cancel on the day of departure if you decide you don’t want to go.
Pregnancy complications and travel medical coverage
While your plan may not cover cancellation due to a normal pregnancy, it may extend coverage due to complications of a normal pregnancy. If your doctor provides documentation that you cannot travel due to complications or a prenatal condition, your travel insurance plan may cover reimbursement for trip cancellation.
If you experience complications while traveling, a comprehensive plan with emergency medical coverage may reimburse any costs associated with caring for that condition. This can include evacuation back home if necessary. Make sure to read the details of your plan as it may only provide coverage for complications during a certain time frame of pregnancy.
