Pregnancy Travel Insurance

Congratulations, you’re pregnant! These are exciting words to hear for most expecting mothers. But does this mean that your life now needs to come to a stand-still for the next 9-months? Pregnancy can leave a lot of unanswered questions for women (and some men), in terms of safety when flying and travelling overseas, or locally.

You may need to travel for work commitments and flying is a necessity, or you and your spouse have planned for that last little getaway before the baby arrives, to enjoy some quality time together.

This could raise the question of “Can I get travel insurance if I am already pregnant?”

In most cases, the answer is yes – depending on how far along you are, and which insurer you choose. Some insurers will offer cover to pregnant women up to 32-weeks pregnant, while some offer cover up to 24-weeks pregnant, and others not at all.

You will need to speak to your doctor before you intend on travelling to discuss whether it is safe to travel or not. Most insurers will require a letter from your doctor proving that you are eligible for pregnancy travel insurance.

Common reasons why you might not be covered during pregnancy

  1.  You are physically unwell during your pregnancy and not fit for travelling.
  2.  You conceived through an assisted reproduction method, such as IVF.
  3.  Your doctor has advised you not to travel during your pregnancy.
  4.  There have been complications with your pregnancy, or you have previously experienced miscarriages or other pregnancy problems.
  5.  You plan on travelling after the ‘safe’ period, or towards the end of your third trimester.
  6.  You are pregnant with more than one baby.
  7.  You will require medical assistance related to your pregnancy while you travel.
  8.  You plan on giving birth while you are overseas or travelling.

If you do plan on travelling while you are pregnant, it is advisable to research safety measures for pregnancy and to ensure you are not travelling to a country where health or safety is a concern. It is generally considered safest to travel during your second trimester when there is less risk of miscarriages and things going wrong. You can also sign up for travel alerts and updates for the country you plan on visiting, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Check for health risks by country through the Smartraveller website.

Pregnancy travel tips

  •  Check with your doctor for vaccinations that you might need before travelling, such as the flu vaccine.
  •  You might want to look into decompression stockings for flying, to help with blood flow.
  •  If you are on a long flight or any other lengthy trip where you are required to sit for long periods of time, it is advisable to get up and walk as often as you can, to keep your blood flowing properly and provide oxygen to your growing baby.
  •  If you are prone to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other pregnancy symptoms, you should ask your doctor about safe medications to take to prevent these when travelling.
  •  Research or ask your doctor about a stand-in doctor that you can visit in the area you are travelling to, in case of any emergencies or medical assistance needed.
  •  Research where the nearest hospital is to where you are staying, in case of an emergency, and keep all emergency contact details on hand.

We also offer travel insurance for pensioners.