Why do I need travel insurance for my pregnancy?
Planning an overseas trip while pregnant? Travel insurance can provide important peace of mind that you're covered for the unexpected. Depending on your destination, the cost of seeking emergency medical care, especially in regards to your pregnancy, can be very high.
If you're travelling to a country that does not have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia and you don't have travel insurance, you'll be responsible for paying for your own medical treatment, potentially upfront. This is why the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website strongly advises taking out insurance if you're travelling while pregnant.
Does travel insurance cover pregnancy?
Yes, travel insurance can cover pregnancy, but coverage is generally limited to unexpected medical emergencies or complications while overseas. It's not designed to pay for routine pregnancy care or planned childbirth.
It’s also worth noting that travel insurance policies will only cover you up to a certain point in your gestation period. Some providers may cover you if you’re up to 30 weeks into your pregnancy, while others may only cover up to 18-26 weeks. Some may offer you more limited cover if you're pregnant with twins, but none will provide cover for childbirth or care of a newborn.
It's important to note that some insurers may require you to undergo a health assessment before agreeing to cover you.
Note that, if you plan on flying to your destination or taking a cruise, it's important to check with the relevant airline or cruise line to understand their rules on traveling while pregnant, to make sure you won't face any unexpected restrictions.
What should a travel insurance policy for pregnancy include?
When comparing travel insurance cover for pregnancy, it’s worth looking into whether it covers:
- Pregnancies that come from IVF and fertility treatments
- Pregnancy complications or premature birth
- Cancellation of your trip due to pregnancy or birth issues
It's also important to check:
- The gestational period that it covers you for (i.e., how many weeks pregnant you can be and still be covered)
- Whether there's a dollar limit for the emergency medical expenses covered (or if there's unlimited coverage)
- If the policy covers medical evacuations or other emergency expenses (e.g., accommodations, meals, hospital cash allowance, emergency dental work)
For your peace of mind, you may wish to find an insurance provider who covers you for the maximum number of weeks into your pregnancy, to ensure you'll be covered in the event of a medical emergency.
Is pregnancy a pre-existing medical condition?
Pregnancy complications or health problems that occur concurrently or as a result of your pregnancy may be treated as a pre-existing condition.
If you experience complications from your pregnancy before purchasing your policy, you'll need to disclose these or complete a medical screening before signing up. Sometimes, you may also be required to disclose whether you have experienced complications with a previous pregnancy.
After disclosing the relevant facts about your pregnancy, your insurer will assess if they're willing to offer you cover (possibly for an additional premium).
It's important to be honest with a travel insurer about the nature of your pregnancy. Failing to disclose any complications may mean that your claim, should you need to make one, could be reduced or refused entirely.
What is excluded from travel insurance with pregnancy cover?
As with any form of travel insurance, a policy that covers pregnancy comes with certain exclusions, meaning certain situations are not covered, along with important restrictions.
Generally speaking, travel insurance for pregnancies will not cover you if:
- You need to claim routine medical check-ups for your pregnancy overseas
- You need to claim expenses for childbirth or a newborn
- You plan on travelling after the maximum number of weeks allowed by your insurer
- Your doctor has advised you not to travel.
There are situations where a provider may ask you to provide further details or complete an assessment before providing cover. Here you may find that you face exclusions, depending on the outcome of the assessment. This may be the case if:
- You conceived via a fertility treatment such as IVF
- You have experienced complications with this or an earlier pregnancy
- You're pregnant with multiple babies (e.g. twins).
It's important to have a thorough understanding of any specific restrictions your policy may have by reading the PDS or by clarifying any missing details with the insurer.
