No-one doubts that being pregnant is an amazing time in any woman’s life. But does that mean that she has to stay at home for the whole period? Is pregnancy covered by a travel insurance policy? And can we give peace of mind to pregnant women who want to travel?
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Is pregnancy covered under travel insurance?
Emerald is an insurance provider that likes to do things differently. We aim to ensure fair treatment for underserved groups, including women and the LGBT+ community, and that included pregnant women who may find travel insurance, and what it might cover, confusing, at a time when things are supposed to be simple. Please do bear in mind that there are some changes related to COVID-19 as well but as COVID-19 risk reduces these may change.
You can get a quote from Emerald HERE
How does pregnancy affect my travel insurance policy?
Emerald has two types of travel insurance – standard and enhanced. The standard travel insurance would normally provide suitable travel insurance cover for someone without pre-existing medical conditions, but Emerald’s enhanced cover may provide better travel insurance cover if you have some other pre-existing medical conditions where a usual travel insurance cover might not be enough. We hope that we can always provide peace of mind for many women.
With travel insurance you need to declare any pre-existing medical condition or medications before you fly or travel. There are some exceptions (for example, if you are living with HIV and undetectable) but mainly for travel insurance the safer option is to over-declare rather than under-declare.
Having said that, pregnancy and childbirth are not considered to be a medical condition for travel insurance.
Your cover is date-related, so it is important to understand your length of pregnancy as cover reduces later on in your term given that birth is a medical procedure, and the likelihood of birth increases over time!
What are the cover conditions for different stages of pregnancy?
Our policies are designed to include cover under the cancellation section, curtailment section and medical and repatriation expenses section for pregnancy and childbirth from week 0 to week 28 inclusive for a single pregnancy, or week 0 to 24 weeks (note – not 28 weeks, which is a common other figure) inclusive for a multiple pregnancy, whilst you are away. That would normally include pregnancy complications, medical emergencies, and related other medical conditions.
From the start of 29 weeks and up until 40 weeks for a single pregnancy, or the start of week 25 and up until 40 weeks for a multiple pregnancy, cover is only provided under the cancellation section, curtailment section and medical and repatriation expenses section if any of the following complications arise:
- Toxaemia,
- Gestational hypertension,
- Ectopic pregnancy,
- Post-partum haemorrhage,
- Pre-eclampsia,
- Molar pregnancy or hydatidiform mole,
- Retained placenta membrane,
- Placental abruption,
- Hyperemesis gravidarum,
- Placenta praevia,
- Stillbirth,
- Miscarriage,
- Medically necessary emergency caesarean,
- Termination needed for medical reasons,
- Premature birth more than 12 weeks pregnant (or 16 weeks if you know you are having more than one baby) before the expected delivery date.
The policy will not cover any claims relating to normal pregnancy or normal childbirth, so such things as morning sickness would not be covered for medical expenses or medical treatment- the policy only covers pregnancy complications or an unusual pregnancy-related medical condition. For events that are under cover, then emergency medical costs, medical treatment (including emergency medical treatment) and similar will be covered under the policy.
Please note we will not cover denial of boarding by your airline carrier (so this is not a covered event), so you should check that you will be able to travel with the carrier/airline in advance of flying. It is essential, if at the time of booking your trip you are aware that you are pregnant, that you ensure that you are able to have the required vaccinations for that trip; no medical cover or other cover will be provided for cancellation in the event that, after booking you discover travel is advised against, or you are unable to receive the appropriate and required vaccinations for that country. Please make sure your medical practitioner and midwife are aware of your travel plans, and that there are no known complications and you are fit to undertake the planned trip.
Also please note that any insured person will not have cover if they travel against medical advice, so if a doctor advises (which includes a doctor or midwife) against travel (whether for a business or a holiday) then you will not have cover if you fly. Travel insurance is also not a full health insurance so the aim of travel insurance is to cover specific medical events rather than general treatment.
What else does my travel insurance cover?
A good travel insurance policy will also give cover for any personal liability and then the usual issues around lost baggage, lost documents, delays when flying etc – all of which are important but none of which relate directly to pregnancy – should be covered by travel insurance.
This cover applies whether or not an annual policy, annual multi-trip policy or a single-trip policy for your travel insurance.
What is the best pregnancy travel insurance?
When looking at pregnancy travel insurance whenever you travel is going to be important. Emerald provides excellent travel insurance pregnancy-related or otherwise. Given that pregnancy is not treated as a pre-existing medical condition, you do not need to declare pregnancy. However, you should always therefore read the terms and conditions of their insurance to make sure that the insurance wording provides suitable pregnancy-related cover, and in relation to the cover pregnancy is not excluded, limited or features a high excess.
So to sum up when looking at travel insurance cover pregnancy can be an issue, so any pregnant travellers should check their health and well-being with their doctor before travel in any case, as most travellers will want to give birth in their home country and avoid any complications when travelling or flying.
