The countdown is on until you welcome your little bundle of joy into the world. But there’s still a lot to do between now and then; perhaps you still need to travel for work, or want to head on a babymoon to celebrate the new arrival.
Whatever the case, you should always consider travel insurance before leaving Australia. But how does your pregnancy affect your cover?
The good news is that you can still get a travel insurance policy if you’re pregnant, depending on how far along you are. However, it’s important to remember that most insurers will only cover single, uncomplicated pregnancies following natural conception.
Some insurance companies will cover pregnancies up to 30 weeks (if you meet certain conditions), while other insurance providers will only offer cover up to 23 to 26 weeks pregnant. Be aware that travel insurance does not cover costs associated with the birth of your child or any newborn expenses.
When it comes to travel insurance, pregnancy is not generally considered a pre-existing condition if you (the insured) are pregnant when you take out your policy. Typically, you will not have to declare your pregnancy if you are under 24 – 26 weeks pregnant for a single foetus pregnancy.
However, if you suffer from any known pregnancy complications or related pre-existing conditions, you will need to declare these to your insurer. These might include pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. Your policy may be able to cover these conditions in case you need medical treatment or emergency assistance overseas, or you may be able to pay for additional premium to ensure you have the coverage you need.
Travel insurance is designed to provide financial protection for when things don’t go quite as planned on your trip, like a medical emergency or travel delay. Travelling while pregnant can come with added risks, not to mention stress. That’s why it’s important you take out a travel insurance policy.
Travel Insurance will cover you while you are pregnant, and provide you with peace of mind. However, most policies will not provide cover for any expenses incurred if your baby is born prematurely, and won’t cover expenses related to regular antenatal care. Remember, you may need to submit a medical assessment of your pregnancy when applying for cover, so your insurer can decide whether your policy covers your condition.
Travel insurance for pregnancy offers the same benefits as any other travel insurance, including cover for medical emergencies, trip delays or cancellations, lost luggage or personal items, theft and rental car excess. This means that you’d typically be covered for:
As with any travel insurance product, the level of cover for pregnancy will vary between insurers and policies. So, before you make a decision, read through the terms and conditions and be sure you understand the limits, sub-limits and exclusions. You can find all these details and more in your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
It’s important to remember that travel insurance policies come with exclusions and that cover for pregnancy comes with conditions. As such, it’s crucial you understand what you are and aren’t covered for before you purchase a policy. As a general rule, pregnant travellers may not be covered if:
Carefully read through the PDS before signing up to a policy to know what you’re covered for. Similarly, check with your airline or cruise operator to ensure they don’t have their own restrictions on pregnant women flying or sailing.
The first 12 weeks of your pregnancy are crucial for your baby’s development, and you’ll finish it with a maternal blood test and an ultrasound.1 While it’s typically a safe enough time to travel, you may be experiencing some regular morning sickness during this trimester. Because of this, you may want to consider scheduling any trips until after the 12th week.
Now is a great time to have a babymoon, because the second trimester is the safest time for you to travel (so long as you’re not experiencing any complications).2 Consult your doctor before you make any travel arrangements, as they will be able to give you the best advice for your situation.
Some airlines may not let you fly if you’re far into your third trimester, or if the flight time exceeds a certain length (e.g. four hours). Even if they allow you to fly, you may still need to produce a note from your doctor stating that you’re fit to travel. When it comes to travel insurance for pregnancy, some insurers only provide cover up to the 26th week, so if it’s just for leisure, you should reconsider any travel plans.
Be informed rather than sorry. For expectant mothers, it’s important to look up any healthcare facilities near your accommodation in case of an emergency and take a copy of your medical records with you. The Australian Government maintains travel advisories for over 170 destinations on .
Get familiar with all the dos and don’ts of your destination and pay particular attention to foods, drinks and activities you should avoid when pregnant. If you’re travelling to a developing country, be especially careful of travellers’ diarrhoea, which is caused by consuming contaminated food or water.
As a pregnant woman, you could be at risk of serious complications if you contract a particular virus or infectious disease. There’s a chance you and your unborn baby might be exposed to foreign illnesses overseas, especially if you’re travelling to an exotic destination or developing country.
You should be wary of travelling to developing nations with poor healthcare infrastructure and take into consideration that it’s not recommended you be vaccinated with any live viruses (e.g. measles shots) while pregnant.2 The influenza vaccine, however, is considered safe (and important) to take.
So, be sure you’ve received all your travel immunisations before departing Australia. Some vaccines are unsuitable for pregnant women, so chat with your doctor or nurse about your options before you go.
When flying, many people experience mild air travel symptoms like fluid retention, nasal congestion, fatigue and dehydration.
If you’re pregnant, you may also be at higher risk of developing DVT. DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein (usually in your leg) and can be fatal if it lodges in your lungs or heart. To reduce the risk of a DVT, you should:
If you are travelling with a partner and other children, you may want to consider a family insurance policy. This type of travel insurance cover protects your family (including your spouse, dependent children and yourself) under one policy that has higher cover limits for the number of travellers covered. However, it’s important to remember that childbirth and newborn babies are generally not covered under any travel insurance policy.
As Compare the Market’s resident expert in travel insurance, Stephen believes in educating customers so they can make the most of their trip without worrying about pregnancy complications or financial losses. No matter what sort of trip you’re planning, Stephen’s expertise in travel insurance is top-tier.
Stephen has over 30 years of experience in financial services and he’s also an allied member of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF). Stephen is passionate about helping customers prepare for their trip.
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1 Victoria State Government – Better Health Channel. “Pregnancy – week by week.” Accessed July 2022.
2 Victoria State Government – Better Health Channel. “Pregnancy and travel.” Accessed July 2022.
