Travel insurance for pregnancy - Guide to coverage, providers and more

Pregnancy can be an incredibly exciting time of life. However, if you’re considering traveling when pregnant, there are some extra things you need to take into account and we will take you through all the pressing questions.

Travel insurance is one of these considerations. It’s vital that you have the necessary travel insurance in place that provides coverage for your pregnancy should anything unexpected occur during your travels. We will also touch on Wise, a handy travel companion that can help you save on overseas spending.

What is pregnancy travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a policy that will cover you for unexpected medical issues and expenses that you may incur whilst overseas. You will usually pay into a policy for a predetermined period of time. Then, you will be able to claim insurance to assist with things like medical bills when this time has elapsed. Assistance with repatriation and recovery is also available.

Pregnancy travel insurance is a policy that has been specifically designed to cover common medical issues that might occur during the course of one’s pregnancy.

Most travel insurance policies will include pregnancy within that cover as standard, though it is always necessary to confirm this through due diligence before taking out any policy.

Travel insurance and pregnancy - what exactly is covered?

Most travel insurance policies are usually very good at covering most general pregnancy issues, with some also covering for unexpected complications.

A typical policy for travel insurance that covers pregnancy will include things such as:

• Treatment and costs for emergency or premature childbirth (though the gestation period might influence this)
• Repatriation to Australia once the pregnancy has taken place and the child is safe to travel
• Cancellation costs if a doctor declares that it is unsafe for you to travel
• Financial support for some medical complications linked to pregnancy

When it comes to unexpected pregnancy complications, insurance policies can vary a little more, so this is where your own due diligence will come into play depending on your own personal circumstances. Typically, a policy for pregnancy travel insurance might include things such as:

• Toxaemia
• Gestational diabetes
• Gestational hypertension
• Miscarriage
• Emergency Caesarean operation
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Pre-eclampsia
• Placenta praevia

This list is not exhaustive. If you have a particular condition that might affect your pregnancy, you will need to compare policies until you find one that covers your requirements.

What is not covered?

Unfortunately, there are a number of pregnancy-related conditions that aren’t usually covered by a travel insurance policy. This is why you must do your own research on the various policies on offer. You will likely be left with a heavy bill to pay with no support from your provider if you experience something that isn’t on your policy.

Some of the more common issues that are not covered by pregnancy travel insurance include:

• Antenatal care
• Standard pregnancy issues such as nausea, tenderness and constipation
• Fertility treatment
• Pregnancy issues experienced before the policy being taken out
• Exceeding the stated gestation period on the policy
• Continuing to travel against medical advice

Best travel insurance providers that cover pregnancy

You must ensure that the provider you choose is best suited to your individual circumstances. There are several different options available, each with slightly different stipulations and requirements. You will find a selection of the most popular below.

Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Southern Cross offers a wide range of different policy options, including some that are difficult to secure on most arrangements¹.

• One of the only providers to offer cover for newborn care
• Covers for emergency childbirth and unexpected complications
• Maximum gestation period that cover is valid for is 24 weeks
• Offers cover for prenatal twins, though the gestation period is variable and is likely to be dependent on other circumstances
• Will not offer cover for pregnancy complications that were experienced prior to the policy being taken out

Southern Cross is a good choice for an all-encompassing policy that covers a wide range of issues. However, other providers are able to go considerably higher in terms of the valid gestation period.

All Clear Travel Insurance

Another travel insurance option that covers pregnancy is All Clear. It offers a number of different levels within its policy options².

• One of the few providers that offers coverage for the full 36-week gestation period
• Offers up to 32 weeks for the gestation period for twins
• Unlimited amount for cancellation expenses
• Covers for both unexpected complications and emergency childbirth

All Clear Travel Insurance would suit those travelers who are quite far in their pregnancy thanks to their generous maximum gestation period.

Tick Travel Insurance

Tick Travel Insurance is another well-established provider that offers travel insurance pregnancy coverage³.

• One of the only providers that offers cover for conception as a result of assisted reproductive services, including that which has resulted in twins
• Coverage for a gestation period of 30 weeks and for twins, a gestation period of 20 weeks
• Cover for unexpected complications, but not emergency childbirth
• Only cover cancellation expenses of up to $20,000.

If your pregnancy was as a result of assisted reproductive services, such as IVF, then this could be the most suitable policy for you.

Insure and Go Travel Insurance

Insure & Go offers a wide range of cover within their pregnancy travel insurance policy. This includes automatic cover as well as additional cover dependent on certain circumstances being met⁴.

• Offers coverage for both natural and assisted pregnancy
• Assisted pregnancy has a slightly higher automatic period at 32 weeks, with natural cover valid up to 30 weeks
• Offers cover for a gestation period of up to 20 weeks for twins
• Covers for both pregnancy complications and emergency childbirth
• No upper limit on cancellation expenses

Insure & Go is a very well-rounded policy, though as with all cases, it should be researched carefully being selected.

Things to consider before travelling while pregnant

Once you’ve selected the policy that best suits your circumstances, there are a couple of other steps you should look to take to make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible.

Relay any pre-existing conditions

Is pregnancy a pre-existing condition for travel insurance? The answer is no. Pregnancy is not considered to be a pre-existing medical condition in relation to travel insurance. However, you should still ensure that your insurer is aware of any pre-existing conditions prior to taking out the policy that aren’t related to pregnancy.

Seek medical advice

Make sure that you remain in constant dialogue with your doctor or medical provider prior to travelling, particularly if you start to experience adverse symptoms the closer you come to flying.

If a doctor feels that you are not well enough to travel due to issues related to pregnancy, you should listen to this. Some insurance coverage becomes null and void if a holder chooses to travel against the advice of a doctor.

Travelling soon? Bring Wise and save on overseas spending

If you’re about to jet off on a dream babymoon to a far-off land, it’s time to work out the best way to spend during your trip to avoid foreign transaction fees and marked-up exchange rates. Meet the Wise account and card.

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No matter where you’re headed, take Wise with you, and save up to 7x when you spend internationally.

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