Pregnancy travel insurance:
A guide for mothers to be

If you’re planning to take a trip abroad whilst pregnant then just a small amount of research before you book can ensure that you and your bump will be able to travel safely and happily. Many women in the UK are taking a well-earned break and deciding to travel whilst pregnant – giving rise to the babymoon!

Our travel guide for mothers-to-be provides everything you need to know about when and where to travel, how to fly in comfort and how to make you are protected with travel insurance for pregnancy.

• Most mothers can travel happily and safely while pregnant. However, it is always best to check with your GP to make sure you are perfectly safe before booking a holiday.
• The mid-term of your pregnancy is typically the preferable time to take your trip, as the sickness and fatigue of earlier pregnancy should (hopefully) have subsided, and the baby is at less risk during the second trimester.
• It’s always best to check with your carrier to find out their policy on how far in to your pregnancy they will allow you to travel. Different restrictions will be in place depending on whether you choose to travel by plane, boat or coach.
• The time of year and the destination that you travel to are up to you. However, it is important to make sure you are comfortable in your accommodation and the climate of your destination. Make sure that you’ll have everything you need throughout the duration of your trip and that the climate of the destination agrees with you.

This is generally a personal decision made together with your doctor. If you feel well enough to fly and your doctor gives you the thumbs-up to do so then you can. It is the case that it is safer to fly before 37 weeks if carrying one baby, and before 32 weeks if you are expecting twins or more. After this stage, there’s a higher possibility that you could go into labour, so it is best to avoid going too far from home if you can.

It is always worthwhile speaking with your doctor or midwife if you plan to travel at any point during your pregnancy especially if you have had complications with your pregnancy or have pre-existing conditions.

It is also worth contacting the airline you are flying with to see if they have any restrictions on travelling whilst pregnant. In some cases they may ask to see a doctor’s note stating that you are fit to fly and many airlines won’t allow you to travel after 36 weeks.

Check their terms and conditions before you book to make sure there are no hidden surprises. Informing the airline in advance may also allow them to make provisions to ensure that your journey is as comfortable as possible.

When considering a trip abroad during your pregnancy, the flight might be one of the biggest things on your mind to tackle. Here are some tips for keeping comfortable on the plane when you are pregnant.

• Be sure to drink plenty of water as flying is dehydrating.
• Wear flight socks or stockings, and move around the cabin regularly to reduce the risks of blood clotting.
• After the 28th week of pregnancy, most airlines will request that you provide a letter from your midwife or GP advising that you are fit to fly and confirming your delivery due date.
• Talk to your GP or midwife before travelling if you have any concerns or have had any prior complications during your pregnancy.

After you’ve had your baby, some airlines will not allow them to travel on flights until they are two weeks old, so do check with your airline for their requirements as this could cause problems should you give birth whilst overseas.

As a pregnant woman or someone who has been pregnant before, you will know that you have regular hospital appointments, scans and general check-ups throughout your pregnancy. Although you can plan your trip around these appointments, it is important to be aware of the medical considerations and care that you might need when you’re away.

• Research your destination on the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office website for advice on the healthcare available in the country you’re travelling to.
• Avoid places where vaccinations are required prior to travel – use the Fit For Travel website  to check before you book.
• If something goes wrong whilst you’re away, it’s always best to contact your travel insurer for assistance straight away. Your insurer should offer a 24/7 medical assistance service and be able to make sure you receive the most appropriate advice depending on your individual circumstances. Our policies, we have added reassurance as we have included the 24-hour GP Online Consultation Service, so you can speak to a professional about any concerns you have.

Although you may want to do some activities when you are on your babymoon, it is important not to do anything that could risk yours or your baby’s health. Here are some destinations and climates to avoid when travelling whilst pregnant.

• Very high altitudes (of 3000 metres of above) – save Mount Kilimanjaro for another trip!
• Very hot and humid countries. Check the weather average for your destination before you travel and pack accordingly.
• Holidays that require a large amount of travel from place to place. Although a multi-stop trip may sound great in theory, spending six hours on a coach to get from one destination to another may not be the most comfortable experience during pregnancy.

To ensure that you and baby stay safe and comfortable during your trip, it is always a good idea to consider the following when travelling whilst pregnant:

• Medical advice – Get confirmation from your doctor or midwife before you go. Travelling against medical advice will likely mean any claim that you make will be declined.
• Vaccinations – Ensure that you get qualified advice from your doctor on whether vaccinations are needed for your destination. Remember that some vaccinations and medication are not recommended during pregnancy so get medical advice from your GP or midwife.
• Airlines – The majority of airlines do not allow pregnant travellers to fly after 37 weeks. Check your airline’s terms and conditions regarding this before you book your flight.
• Cruises -  If you are planning on a cruise whilst pregnant, speak to your cruise company or tour operator. By their nature cruises are longer journeys than flights they may have stricter requirements than airlines when it comes to pregnant travellers.
• Zika Virus – Zika virus is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their babies, and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office advises against travel to countries with a risk of Zika virus. Travelling to a country against Government advice is also likely to result in a declined claim.
• Activities – Be careful with what activities you undertake. Popular holiday activities such as water-skiing, horse riding, surfing, scuba diving are not recommended during pregnancy. So it’s best to leave the adventure activities until after the baby is born. More relaxing activities such as sauna, hot tubs and whirlpools carry an increased risk of dehydration and fainting.
• GHIC – If you are planning to travel to Europe then it is always worth registering for a GHIC card. It will allow you access to state run medical treatment in most European countries.

Consult a medical professional if you have any concerns or questions around your ability to travel or things you should or shouldn’t do.

Travel insurance for pregnant women offers the same cover as standard travel policies. We can provide cover relevant to pregnancy such as:

• Medical Expenses (In some cases this may also include complications around your pregnancy)
• Repatriation
• Cancellation
• Curtailment
• Personal Liability

A single trip travel policy could be a good choice for a one-off babymoon as it provides cover for a trip of up to 180 days.

If you plan to travel more extensively during your pregnancy then annual multi-trip travel cover may be more suitable, it allows you to travel for up to 31 days on each trip you make within a 365 days period.

For full details of cover please see the policy wording.

We don’t class pregnancy as a pre-existing condition so you are not obliged to tell us you are pregnant before taking out cover. However, it can be useful to inform us so we can tell you what you are and are not covered for.  

We could cover you for pregnancy complications that arise whilst you are covered, however if you have existing medical conditions, or your pregnancy has resulted in you suffering specific conditions before your policy is in force then you should inform us of these as we may not be able to cover these should you require treatment for them whilst you’re away.  

If you would like to discuss how we deal with pregnancy whether you’re an existing policyholder or planning to purchase cover please contact our team.

No. Because we don’t class pregnancy as a pre-existing condition the cost of travel insurance for pregnant women is no more expensive than it would be if you weren’t pregnant.

However, you should inform us of any medical conditions that you have or complications arisen during your pregnancy as these may impact our ability to cover you. If you don’t do this then a claim may be rejected and your policy could be invalidated.

If you go into labour unexpectedly whilst abroad it’s likely that you’ll need an extended stay in the destination and incur medical treatment costs. Depending upon your destination, these costs can be expensive.

A travel insurance policy could help cover the costs in these situations, as there is protection for medical expenses, repatriation and holiday curtailment as standard on most policies. 

It is best to contact your airline to let them know how far along your pregnancy you will be at the point of your flight. It is likely that if you are further than 28 weeks then they will require confirmation from your doctor that you are fit to fly.

If you are beyond 37 weeks, then it is highly likely that they will not allow you to travel. Check this with your airline before you book.

In the unfortunate event that you require medical assistance while away, it is helpful to take the following documents with you:

• Your policy documents and relevant emergency helpline number
• Your maternity notes
• Any medication you’re taking
• A valid GHIC/EHIC card if you’re visiting Europe
• Any document confirming your due date and that you are fit to fly.

Make sure to retain receipts or paperwork you receive as these will be needed in the event of making a claim.