Pregnancy Travel Insurance

Author: Melissa A.

Published: December 15th, 2023 | Updated: December 15th, 2023
Read time: 4 mins

Most women can safely travel when pregnant, especially between 18 and 24 weeks; however, there are risks and challenges to consider. If you are planning to travel when pregnant or are planning a pregnancy and planning upcoming travel, unforeseen circumstances can happen before or during your trip that can cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip, having you return home early. Pregnancy travel insurance may protect your trip investment when travelling outside your home province, territory, or country.

Does travel insurance cover pregnancy?

Travel protection for pregnant women is coverage for an unexpected medical emergency. It’s commonly known as emergency medical insurance. If you are pregnant, it can cover unforeseen pregnancy complications. You can also be covered if you find out you are pregnant after you purchase a travel insurance policy. However, travel medical insurance for pregnancy typically won’t cover medical costs for standard pregnancy care, nor will it cover birth and post-natal care.

Does travel insurance cover pregnancy complications?

Yes, travel insurance for pregnancy can cover emergency medical costs associated with unforeseen pregnancy complications if you travel while pregnant. If you catch COVID-19 while you are pregnant and travelling, you are at increased risk of having pregnancy complications. Covered conditions that can complicate a pregnancy include high blood pressure (hypertension), pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, hyperemesis gravidarum, etc. and can vary by plan and provider. Carefully review a policy’s terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions to help you better understand the included coverage.

Is pregnancy a pre-existing condition for travel insurance?

Unfortunately, pregnancy is not a pre-existing condition that is covered by emergency medical insurance. Pre-existing conditions related to pregnancy are not covered by emergency medical insurance either. The Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA) defines a pre-existing condition as a health condition known to you before you travel. It may be a diagnosis or just symptoms you experienced before your trip. Emergency medical insurance may or may not include the benefit for pre-existing conditions. If the benefit is included, the pre-existing condition(s) must be stable for a specific period before travel, as indicated in a policy. If coverage for pre-existing conditions is a benefit you need, you can buy it as an add-on or upgrade to your emergency medical plan.

Does travel insurance cover unexpected pregnancy?

If you happen to find out that you are pregnant after you purchase your travel insurance policy, trip insurance for pregnancy can cover you for that unexpected pregnancy. For example, if you need to cancel your trip. In that case, you must refer to your policy documentation to determine if unexpected pregnancy is a covered reason listed under the trip cancellation benefit. If so, you must provide your medical records to your insurer to verify that your pregnancy occurred after your policy’s date of purchase.

Does travel insurance cover cancellation due to pregnancy?

Travel insurance coverage with the trip cancellation benefit will not cover you if you cancel your trip because of issues you are experiencing that are related to standard pregnancy, for example, routine morning sickness. However, Travel insurance coverage with the trip cancellation benefit can cover you if you cancel your trip because of a pregnancy-related medical emergency, such as unforeseen high-risk pregnancy complications. For example, when you have high blood pressure (hypertension), pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, hyperemesis gravidarum, or premature delivery and your doctor advises you to cancel your trip. The trip cancellation benefit can also cover you when you unexpectedly find out that you are pregnant after you purchase your travel insurance and need to cancel your trip. In this case, your doctor advises you against travel because your trip departure or return date falls within eight weeks of your delivery date.

Unforeseeable events listed in a policy that are reasons for cancelling your trip when pregnant vary by plan and provider, so be sure to read the details of your policy closely. If you need to file a claim through your provider under the trip cancellation benefit, you may be eligible to be reimbursed for your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs.

Do you have to declare pregnancy on travel insurance?

You do not need to make a pregnancy declaration on your travel insurance since pregnancy is not a pre-existing condition. However, you should inform your provider that you are pregnant to ensure that you receive the right travel coverage for your needs, and you should also inform your provider of any pregnancy complications.

What is the best travel insurance for pregnancy?

The best travel insurance covering pregnancy is packaged plans that bundle numerous benefits under one policy, for example, all-inclusive coverage that includes pregnancy as a pre-existing condition, which can protect you and defray costs if an unexpected event happens before and during your trip. Plans that include emergency medical and emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, interruption and delay, baggage loss and delay, and cancel for any reason (CFAR) benefits offer the most robust travel protection. If you choose a comprehensive policy, you can opt for different options, add-on benefits, and tailor your plan to suit your travel needs. To find the right travel insurance for your unique trip, visit us online at InsureMyTrip, where you can quote and compare plans from multiple providers. Understand that the sooner you purchase your travel insurance after making your first trip deposit, the longer your protection window, especially for eligibility for the trip cancellation benefit.