Does travel insurance cover pregnancy?

Key takeaways

• Pregnancy without complications does not count as a pre-existing condition for travel insurance

• Travel insurer will often not cover you after 28-36 weeks, or if you're travelling against medical guidelines

• If you’re pregnant and considering travelling, it’s always best to consult your midwife or doctor to make sure it’s safe

Can I get travel insurance if I'm pregnant?

You can get travel insurance cover while pregnant up to a certain stage of your pregnancy. The cut-off date will depend on the insurer and whether you're carrying multiple babies, but is generally around 28 to 36 weeks. After that point, your cover may not apply, particularly if you travel against airline or medical guidelines.

Before the cut-off date your travel insurance should cover you exactly the same way as if you weren’t expecting.

Do I need specialist travel insurance during pregnancy?

No, you shouldn't need specialist travel insurance if you're travelling while pregnant. Most standard policies will cover you in the same way as any other traveller.

The exception is if you have pregnancy-related complications. Insurers may treat these as pre-existing medical conditions, so you’ll need to declare them when you take out your policy. Depending on the condition and your health, your insurer may adjust your premium or, in some cases, refuse cover.

Is pregnancy considered a pre-existing medical condition for travel insurance?

No, pregnancy is not seen as a pre-existing medical condition for travel insurance.

However, you’ll still need to declare any pregnancy-related complications (such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes), and these could affect your cover price.

Do I need to tell my travel insurer if I'm pregnant?

Yes, you should let your travel insurer know if you’re pregnant before you buy or travel.

What documents should I bring when travelling while pregnant?

If you have any issues while travelling and you need medical attention, you’ll need a few documents with you so it’s good to keep these handy:

• Your travel insurance policy documents

• Your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if you’re in Europe

• Medical information, such as maternity notes and lists of medication you’re taking

• Doctor’s notes that confirm that you’re fit to fly and when your due date is.

Can I travel while pregnant?

Yes, you can usually travel while pregnant, but there are some limits to be aware of.

• Airline rules

Most airlines allow you to fly up to around 36 weeks for a single pregnancy, or 32 weeks if you’re expecting twins but this can vary between airlines. Check their policy before booking.

If you’re flying later in your pregnancy or have any complications, you may need a doctor’s note confirming you’re fit to fly.

• Country entry rules

If you’re nearing your due date, some countries may question or even deny entry to non-residents who are heavily pregnant, as part of efforts to discourage “birth tourism.”

For example, the United States and Singapore may impose stricter checks or require medical proof that you’re fit to travel if you’re more than six months pregnant.

• Medical risks

Travelling while pregnant can carry extra medical risks.

For example, some destinations pose a higher risk of infectious diseases such as Zika virus, which can cause serious birth defects if contracted during pregnancy. Other health concerns include malaria, food- and water-borne illnesses, and heat exhaustion, all of which can affect both you and your baby more severely.

Long flights can also increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), so it’s important to move around regularly and stay hydrated.

Before you travel, always check FCDO advice for your destination and speak to your GP or midwife about any vaccinations or precautions you may need.

How far along in my pregnancy can I travel?

According to the NHS, most people find that the ideal time to travel is during the second trimester. This is because it's common to experience nausea and fatigue during the earlier months of pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage is higher during the first three months.

Most insurers will cover you up to 36 weeks of pregnancy, or 32 weeks if expecting twins. But beyond 28 weeks some airlines might ask for a doctor's letter to confirm that it's safe for you to fly. Without this documentation, you risk being denied boarding.

It's important to carry as many medical documents as you have when you are flying as proof of any medical conditions you may have, or proof of how far along you are, and if possible, a doctor's fit-to-fly note.

Will my travel insurance cover cancelling a holiday because I'm pregnant?

If you become pregnant after booking your holiday, most travel insurers won’t cover cancelling your trip simply because you’ve changed your mind about travelling.

However, if your doctor advises against travel for medical reasons - for example, if you develop pregnancy-related complications - your insurer may accept a cancellation claim.

Cover for cancellation is one of the reasons why its a good idea to buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip, so you’re covered for unexpected situations that could affect your plans.

What does travel insurance cover for pregnancy?

The type and level of cover you’ll get with your travel insurance policy will vary between providers, but a good policy should offer:

• Cancellation or curtailment, if you need to cancel or end your holiday early as a result of complications in your pregnancy

• Premature births

• Emergency C-section

• Medical care

• Extra cover if you give birth abroad and it delays your return home

Alongside this, you should also look for travel insurance basics like baggage cover and cover for missed or delayed flights.

Will I be covered for labour and delivery abroad?

If you go into labour while abroad, whether or not you’ll be covered will depend on the stage of pregnancy and the specifics of your policy. Some insurers may not cover childbirth if it's not premature, while others offer more comprehensive options.

It's also worth noting that newborns are not usually covered under the mother's policy as standard, and will need to be added on. Babies also usually cannot fly until they reach full term.

What isn’t covered by travel insurance during pregnancy?

Again, it will depend on your policy and provider, but you might find that many travel insurance policies exclude the following:

• Everyday pregnancy care

• Childbirth at term

• If you travel against medical advice

• If your airline doesn’t let you travel

• If you don’t disclose pregnancy-related conditions to your insurer

Do I still need pregnancy travel insurance if I have a GHIC?

Yes, even though a GHIC can be useful it isn’t a substitute for a comprehensive travel insurance policy. It will give you access to state-provided healthcare to the same level as locals, but this won’t always be free - so your travel insurance can help pick up the cost of any expensive medical bills. It also won’t cover things like lost baggage or cancelled and delayed flights.

Some insurers may even insist that you have a GHIC when you travel to Europe, so it’s a good idea to apply for one if you haven’t already. You can apply for it for free on the NHS website.

Tips for travelling when pregnant

Travelling while pregnant can be exciting as well as potentially a little risky, so it’s worth bearing the following tips in mind to put yourself at ease:

• Talk to your doctor: Make sure you talk to your doctor and midwife and get their all-clear to travel - going against their advice if they tell you not to travel will likely void your insurance policy. It’s also good to talk to them about vaccines if required to travel to your destination, as pregnant women are generally advised against being vaccinated with live viruses or bacteria

• Check with your airline: Some airlines restrict travel beyond a certain number of weeks of pregnancy - sometimes around 37 or 32 if you’re expecting twins. Check with them before booking to avoid surprises at the airport

• Be careful about food and drink: Check the NHS guidelines about what to avoid eating and drinking while pregnant and bear this in mind when abroad particularly

• Check government advice: Government travel advice may advise against visiting certain places with a risk of Zika virus, which can be particularly dangerous to pregnant women and their babies

• Avoid certain activities: Finally, you should avoid taking part in certain activities that can be extra risky if you’re pregnant, such as scuba diving or using hot tubs and saunas

Compare travel insurance

Pregnant women looking forward to a pre-baby getaway should ensure they are fully covered for their travels. With MoneySuperMarket's travel insurance comparison tool, you can find tailored deals that offer different levels of cover at various price points. Compare pregnancy travel insurance deals with MoneySuperMarket to find a policy that suits your needs and budget.