Oleksandr Rohovnin You’re counting the weeks and days until you welcome your child into this world. You must’ve covered volumes of literature and even bought toys for your infant, but have you taken care of yourself? New sights, a warm sea, and a light summer breeze could energize you before your first most challenging months of parenthood.
Indeed, traveling is one of the best ways to pamper a future mom, but here the question arises: will your standard policy be enough to cover your needs on your babymoon, or should you buy extra travel insurance when pregnant?
Below is everything you should know about travel insurance for pregnant travelers.
First of All, Is it Safe to Fly When Pregnant?
There’s no evidence that flying can harm pregnant women or their babies. Again, neither changes in air pressure nor changes in humidity during a flight can harm you or your baby, provided you are healthy and we’re talking about a straightforward pregnancy.
At the same time, there are nuances:
- In the first few weeks of your pregnancy, you may not feel like traveling due to sickness and exhaustion.
- If you’re in the third trimester (or week 37 or further), you will likely not be allowed to fly.
- If you’re in the middle of pregnancy, your airline may require a letter from your doctor or midwife.
Is it Possible to Cover Pregnancy with Standard Travel Insurance?
You can fully cover your pregnancy with travel insurance, but such a type of plan would go beyond what most standard travel medical insurance policies provide. In this case, you need a tailor-made policy for soon-to-be moms.
There are two ways to get the coverage you need:
- Update your existing travel insurance policy
- Buy a travel insurance policy with coverage for pre-existing conditions
Is Travel Insurance for Pregnant Travelers Worth it?
Traveling while pregnant is associated with extra risks per se, but this doesn’t mean you necessarily need extra coverage. Here you should proceed from the duration and distance of your trip, your age, health, budget, and risk tolerance. But then again, all other things being equal, it’s always better to be protected than to be left up to chance.
What Does Travel Insurance for Pregnant Travelers Include?
Travel policies for pregnant travelers vary dramatically depending on the country and provider. What is considered standard in the United States may be excluded in the United Kingdom and vice versa. Every case is individual, so make sure to review the contract before putting your signature on it.
A typical pregnancy plan will cover:
- Unexpected complications up to the third trimester (27th week)
- Emergency hospital and medical expenses related to pregnancy complications
- Trip cancellations as per the advice of your doctor
- Round-the-clock assistance during your trip
As for the rest, travel insurance for pregnant travelers includes the same benefits that a standard plan does: personal liability, lost luggage, rental car reimbursement, emergencies, theft, flight cancellation, etc.
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What Does Travel Insurance for Pregnant Travelers Exclude?
Exclusions vary depending on the country and the insurance company, but you always have a chance to add more coverage at the expense of a higher premium. However, there are a few exclusions that will come with almost any travel insurance for pregnant women.
You will likely be denied coverage for pregnancy if (most restrictions and exclusions are about lowering the possibility of you going into labor mid-air where medical help is complicated or may not be available to the extent that it is available on the ground):
- You are traveling against your doctor’s advice
- You’ve had pregnancy complications before purchasing the policy
- You are planning to travel after the third trimester
- You have more than one baby
- You conceived your baby through ART technology
Likewise, your airline may also have restrictions. For example, you may not be allowed to fly in the third trimester of pregnancy, so you always have to calculate whether you will still fit the requirements of your airline on the way back.
What Are the Basic Airline Rules for Flying When Pregnant?
Airlines are entitled to establish their own rules for pregnant passengers.
- American Airlines requires a medical certificate for women within four weeks of delivery.
- Southwest has no pregnancy prohibition, except the recommendation to stay home from the 38th week of pregnancy on.
- United requires an obstetrician’s certificate after the 36th week of pregnancy.
Make sure to consult with your airline before booking your flight or purchasing your travel insurance.
Does Travel Insurance for Pregnant Travelers Cover Trip Cancellation?
Whether it is a classic travel plan or an extended policy for a pregnant traveler, cancellation coverage may be provided if caused by unforeseen circumstances, such as:
- Illness or injury
- Bereavement
- Fire, flooding, and other acts of nature
- Breaches of safety
Cancellation coverage will reimburse you for the cost of your trip, including pre-booked transport, accommodation, and other expenses (tours, campsites, etc.). On the flip side, travel policies do not cover trip cancellations resulting from a normal pregnancy.
Do I Have to Mention That I’m Pregnant When Purchasing Travel Insurance?
You don’t have to mention that you’re pregnant when purchasing your travel insurance because pregnancy is not a medical condition. The very fact of being pregnant will not invalidate your insurance, although you will have to disclose your ‘status’ to get extended coverage.
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Will I Get Covered if I Give Birth During a Trip?
You are unlikely to be covered with standard travel insurance, but a tailor-made insurance plan may provide such coverage.
How Can I Get a Quote for Travel Insurance for a Pregnant Traveler?
Fill out the form provided by your insurer. A typical form will require personal details and your pre-existing conditions. Keep in mind that:
- Pregnancy itself is not a pre-existing condition, so you are not obliged to disclose that you’re pregnant.
- You are required to disclose all pre-existing conditions related to pregnancy.
Best 2022 Travel Insurance Offers for Pregnant Travelers in the U.S. and UK
While most standard travel insurance plans will only include standard coverage, there are some plans covering pregnancy complications: Safe Travels USA Comprehensive insurance (USA), Atlas International insurance (USA), Allianz Global Assistance Travel insurance (UK), and AllClear Travel insurance (UK).
Oleksandr is an expert in deep research. He covers insurance topics across four major insurance verticals – auto, health, life, and home insurance – while taking into account the legal landscape of the state in question. Come rain or shine, you can expect regular quality blogs and timely updates from Oleksandr.
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