Babymoon Time: Why You Need Pregnancy Travel Insurance
Traveling while pregnant involves unique risks, from unexpected medical expenses to emergencies causing trip interruptions and even cancellations.
Standard travel insurance policies provide limited coverage for pregnancy-related issues, and not all plans offer the same level of protection, particularly if you have pre-existing medical conditions or have a high-risk pregnancy.
Understanding your health insurance options and which travel insurance plans provide the most comprehensive benefits is empowering.
What Travel Insurance Covers for Pregnant Travelers
Many travel insurance policies cover unforeseen pregnancy complications, but routine prenatal care or childbirth is usually a part of the exclusions. Here’s what you can typically expect from your insurance provider:
1. Emergency Medical Coverage
If you experience unexpected complications of pregnancy, such as preterm labor or a medical emergency, your policy may cover:
- Hospitalization and medical treatment
- Emergency medical evacuation, if necessary
- Medications and diagnostic tests
Policies generally exclude coverage for regular pregnancy care, elective procedures, or childbirth beyond your due date or a set gestational limit, which is often 26-30 weeks.
2. Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage
You may be able to cancel or cut a trip short if an unforeseen pregnancy-related complication arises before or during travel. Covered reasons typically include:
- Doctor-mandated bed rest
- Severe pregnancy complications
- Premature birth or emergency medical treatment
However, choosing not to travel due to pregnancy discomfort or general concerns is not covered by standard Trip Cancellation.
3. Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage
For maximum flexibility, consider adding a CFAR policy, which allows you to cancel for personal reasons, including concerns about traveling while pregnant. CFAR policies, which reimburse 50-75% of trip costs, provide a safety net and must be purchased within a specified timeframe after booking, giving you the confidence to adapt to changing circumstances.
What Travel Insurance Does NOT Cover for Pregnant Women
The policy details of each travel medical insurance plan contain exclusions, which outline what activities or scenarios are not eligible for reimbursement.
While these exclusions will vary, most travel insurance providers won’t cover:
- Routine prenatal care, vaccinations, and checkups
- Childbirth and delivery (unless an emergency complication occurs)
- Travel against medical advice
- Canceling a trip solely due to general pregnancy discomfort
Even if you’re having a normal pregnancy but in your third trimester, coverage may be further restricted, and airlines may have travel limitations.
How to Travel Safely While Pregnant
Traveling while pregnant can be safe and comfortable with a few precautions:
- Prevent blood clots by wearing compression socks, staying hydrated, and moving frequently.
- Manage gestational diabetes by packing medications, eating balanced meals, and staying active.
- Ease morning sickness with nausea-friendly snacks, fluids, and acupressure wristbands.
- Choose the right time to travel—the second trimester is often the safest and most comfortable period.
Choosing the Best Travel Insurance for Pregnancy
Since all policies have different exclusions for pregnancy-related healthcare coverage, our best travel tip is to read the policy wording to ensure insurance coverage.
Here’s a quick checklist to help you know what to look for when comparing policies:
- Emergency medical coverage that includes pregnancy complications
- Trip cancellation policies that cover pregnancy-related medical issues
- CFAR coverage for added cancellation flexibility
- Medical evacuation coverage in case you need advanced care abroad
When to Buy Travel Insurance for Pregnancy
The ideal time to buy travel insurance is right after booking your trip. Many policies have time-sensitive benefits, like CFAR upgrades and pre-existing medical condition coverage, which must be purchased within 14 to 21 days of the initial deposit. If you delay too long, you might miss the window to buy these time-sensitive insurance benefits.
Bottom Line:
Pregnancy doesn’t have to hinder your travel plans but requires additional preparation. The right travel insurance can provide peace of mind by covering unexpected complications, medical emergencies, and trip interruptions. To compare travel insurance policies tailored for pregnancy, explore top-rated options on Squaremouth today.