Travelling while pregnant: why travel insurance might be your best travel buddy

Planning a babymoon before bub arrives? Visiting family across the country? Or squeezing in one last overseas getaway before nappies and night feeds take over? Whatever your plan, travelling while pregnant can be a beautiful experience - if you’re prepared.

And no, we’re not just talking about packing snacks and compression socks. We’re talking about travel insurance for pregnancy - your added safety net when travel plans meet real life.

Can you travel while pregnant?

Good news - travelling while pregnant can be possible - but it’s important to plan ahead*! Plenty of people travel safely during pregnancy, especially in that sweet spot of the second trimester. But before you hit "book now" make sure to:

• Chat with your doctor to get the green light.
• Check airline rules (some have restrictions after certain weeks). These restrictions may be different to the terms and conditions set out in your travel insurance.
• Research medical facilities and costs at your destination.

Because while spontaneous travel is fun, it’s even better when you’ve thought through the "what ifs".

Why travel insurance for pregnancy is something to consider

Pregnancy comes with enough surprises - your travel plans shouldn’t be one of them. Here’s why travel insurance for pregnant travellers can help add some peace of mind:

• Coverage for certain pregnancy complications: Some travel insurance policies may cover unexpected pregnancy complications up to a certain stage. Routine care, childbirth, and newborn care are usually not included, so it can be helpful to check the limits of any policy you’re considering.
• Support if plans change: Some policies might cover prepaid costs like flights, tours, or accommodation if a covered pregnancy complication affects your travel plans. Policy details and exclusions vary, so the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) is the best place to check.
• Later-stage pregnancies: For pregnancies beyond a certain stage, childbirth and newborn care overseas are usually not covered, and related costs can be significant. Being aware of this can help when comparing policies.
• Peace of mind for the unexpected: Travel insurance may also cover unexpected events not related to pregnancy, like lost or stolen luggage, missed connections, or medical emergencies. Coverage varies depending on the policy.

What to look out for in pregnancy travel insurance

Not all travel insurance policies automatically cover pregnancy, so it’s worth doing a little homework before you go:

• Check the policy limits: Some insurers cover up to a certain number of weeks.
• Know what’s covered: It can help to get a sense of what your policy does or doesn’t cover for your pregnancy - so there are no surprises later. A good place to start is the PDS, or you can give your insurance provider a quick call if you have questions.
• Declare your pregnancy if required: In some case, the pregnancy may need to be declared as an Existing Medical Condition (EMC).

A few minutes of research now can help save a lot of stress later.

Travelling while pregnant can be possible* - it just takes a little extra planning. Whether you’re hopping on a short domestic flight or jetting off overseas, travel insurance for pregnancy can help protect you (and bump) from the unexpected.

Planning that trip before bub arrives? Check out ahm travel insurance.