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Pregnancy travel insurance

Travel insurance works the same way whether you're expecting or not! Most of the time, you don't need to inform your insurer about your pregnancy. But, letting them know can make sure you're fully covered—especially if you have any related health conditions.

You might also face some restrictions travelling while pregnant. But, don't worry—we're here to walk you through what to expect and where these might apply. Ready to dive deeper into travel insurance for pregnancy? Just keep reading. Or, if you're all set to compare policies, just hit 'get a quote' to get started.

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert

Reviewed by Alvaro Iturmendi Travel insurance expert 7 min read | Published 30/10/2024

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Does travel insurance cover pregnancy?

Yes, it does! Generally, it's no harder to find cover than if you weren't pregnant. It also shouldn't affect the price you pay for travel insurance since it's not usually considered a pre-existing condition.

There are some limits and exclusions to look out for though. For example, most insurers won't cover you after 37 weeks. Or, 32 if you're expecting twins. This is because your chance of giving birth increases after this point. You're also unlikely to be covered for planned labour and birth abroad, so keep that in mind.

When comparing policies, just make sure you read the policy documents to be confident that the cover suits you.

Do I need specialist pregnancy travel insurance?

Nope.

Standard travel insurance should cover you! Like we've mentioned, this is because pregnancy itself isn't considered a medical condition.

But, some complications related to pregnancy might need to be declared as a pre-existing condition, like high blood pressure. This can lead to a higher premium, which means you might need to pay more. But, it'll mean you're getting the level of cover you need.

Oh, and if you already have an existing annual travel insurance policy, it might need to be adjusted to ensure you're covered for your trip. Just chat with your insurer to find out if you need to tweak your current policy. They'll be more than happy to lend a hand.

What does travel insurance cover?

A travel insurance policy should include cover for:

Medical treatment cover in case you become unwell or injured during your holiday. This includes unexpectedly giving birth while abroad and any associated medical care.
Emergency repatriation cover back to the UK if you need further medical treatment at home.
Travel cancellation cover if you can't travel due to unexpected circumstances, including complications relating to pregnancy.
Baggage cover in case your luggage or money are lost, stolen or damaged during your trip.
Travel disruption covers travel expenses like food and alternative accommodation if there are travel delays.
Third party liability in case you injure somebody else or damage their property.
Trip extensions cover expenses associated with extending your trip in case you give birth while you're abroad.

What isn't covered by travel insurance?

Travelling past a certain point in pregnancy. For some insurers, this could be as late as 37 weeks, but others might limit cover to those less than 28 weeks pregnant.
Routine maternity care or planned birth. If you're planning to give birth abroad, you're unlikely to be covered.
Travelling against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice. Travelling to a destination that's advised against will mean you're not covered.
Any undeclared pre-existing medical conditions. This includes complications arising as a result of your pregnancy. If you don't declare them, your insurer won't be able to provide the health cover you need and this could invalidate your policy.
Incidents involving alcohol or drugs. If you become ill, lose or damage your belongings while you're under the influence, you won't be able to make a claim.
Incidents that aren't reported to local authorities or your insurance company within 24 hours. This could vary depending on the provider, but if your property is stolen you'll normally have a set time frame in which it needs to be reported to local police.

Do I need to declare my pregnancy to my travel insurance provider?

No, you usually don't have to.

Pregnancy itself doesn't usually need to be declared. But, if you have any medical conditions or pregnancy-related complications, like gestational diabetes, you should share those with your insurer. By doing so, they can make sure you're given the health cover you need to travel safely.

Unsure whether you need to declare a certain health condition? Just speak with your insurance provider. They'll be able to let you know what you need to declare.

Do I need pregnancy travel insurance if I have an EHIC or GHIC card?

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) are worth having. But, you should still consider travel insurance. Here's why:

Your EHIC or GHIC card lets you access healthcare in many countries at the same rate as a local resident, which can be a huge help. But, these cards aren't a substitute for travel insurance, so you might face some out-of-pocket expenses. For instance, these cards don't cover repatriation, which means being returned to the UK for treatment. But, the right travel insurance policy can take care of this for you.

Plus, travel insurance goes beyond medical care. Besides health and medical costs, insurance can cover things like lost luggage and flight cancellations. Oh, and just a head's up—though most policies won't cover cancellations due to pregnancy, some can cover cancellations due to pregnancy-related complications. But, this only applies if the complications weren't known about before purchasing the insurance.

What our travel insurance expert says

"If you're pregnant, getting a travel insurance policy shouldn't be any harder than it was before you were expecting. It also shouldn't impact the cost of your policy, since insurers don't usually consider it to be a medical condition. But, some insurers may impose their own limits and restrictions. So, make sure you read the policy details carefully!"

Alvaro Iturmendi Travel insurance expert

Is it safe to fly when pregnant?

Current NHS advice says flying is usually safe during pregnancy, as long as you take proper precautions. Hooray!

Keep in mind—most airlines allow you to fly up to 28 weeks, though some may ask for a note from your doctor. In those first 12 weeks, you might experience nausea and fatigue. So, you might feel more comfortable staying close to home. And, since the chances of labour increase around 37 weeks or 32 if you're expecting twins, late-term travel might not be ideal.

Top tip: It's always worth checking in with your doctor or midwife beforehand that you're safe to fly while expecting, just to be on the safe side.

What happens if I become pregnant after buying travel insurance?

You'll normally be covered by any travel insurance policy you've already got. What a relief! But, it's always best to check with your insurer if you're unsure. It's also worth speaking to a doctor or midwife for advice on travelling while pregnant.

If you decide you want to cancel your trip, your travel insurance might cover you if:

You'll be more than 32 weeks pregnant during the planned travel time
You have any pregnancy complications that prevent you from travelling
Your doctor says you shouldn't travel because of the risks associated with your pregnancy

Remember, this only applies if you bought your travel insurance before finding out you were pregnant. If you buy a policy after finding out, or after being advised not to travel because of complications, you might not be covered for cancelling your trip.

How far along in your pregnancy can you travel?

It depends on your insurer and the type of trip you're planning.

Most insurers cover travel up to 37 weeks for a single pregnancy, or 32 weeks if you're expecting twins. Though, some might have cutoffs around the 28 week mark.

Airlines usually allow travel up to 29 weeks. After that, though, they might ask for a fit-to-fly note from your doctor. Cruise liners tend to be a bit stricter, and often set their cutoff at around 24 weeks.

The best approach? Contact your travel provider to check what their rules are. Once that's sorted, you'll be able to look forward to a relaxing, well-prepared trip!

What happens if I go into labour abroad?

If you do go into labour, your policy should cover any medical costs related to the birth. This includes medical bills and the cost of extending your trip. The wonderful news is that your little one should be automatically included in your travel insurance. But, it's worth contacting your insurer to check—just to be sure.

But, while some policies offer coverage for unexpected premature births, most won't cover a planned birth abroad. So, if you're thinking about travelling specifically to give birth, it's best to check your policy details.

Keep in mind that most airlines require newborns to be at least 2 weeks old to fly. And, that wait might be longer if your baby arrives early. This might mean a delay in returning home. But, your travel insurance should help cover any extra costs if your trip is extended.

Tips for travelling when pregnant

Here's some useful tips to make sure you're ready for a safe and comfortable journey:

Check that your doctor or midwife is happy for you to travel. They'll be able to confirm if it's safe for you to travel. Sometimes, certain conditions or complications can make travel a bit more challenging.
Check the airline's guidelines. Many airlines have restrictions on flying toward the end of pregnancy, and flights longer than 4 hours can raise the risk of deep-vein thrombosis (DTV), or blood clots in your legs or pelvis. The NHS recommends staying hydrated, and to move around every 30 minutes on the plane to lower this risk.
Check with your cruise operator that you're okay to travel. Most won't allow you to set sail once you reach 24 weeks.
Check for any vaccinations or anti-malaria medication you might need. The NHS recommends non-live vaccines during pregnancy. But, in special cases, your GP or nurse can help weigh up the benefits and risks of any necessary vaccines or medications.

Check the policy details before you buy! Cover levels and exclusions relating to pregnancies can vary between insurers. So, it's important to read the details.
Steer clear of locations that are high-risk for Zika virus. It can be especially harmful to pregnant women and their babies. The NHS suggests avoiding countries with known outbreaks. If you're unsure about your destination, you can check the Travel Health Pro website.
Take a copy of your travel insurance policy with you, including any emergency contact information. If you have an EHIC or GHIC card, you should also bring this with you.
Keep a copy of your medical notes on hand. This includes maternity notes and information about any medication you're taking. If your GP has given you a fit-to-fly letter, you should also bring this. Just in case!
Keep essential documents and medication in your handbag or carry-on. That way, you'll have easy access to them should you need them.

How do I get a quote for pregnancy travel insurance?

We're here to help you with your travel insurance.

If you've bought travel insurance through us before, just log into your account and make sure everything's up-to-date and get a quote. Easy!

New to travel insurance with us? No problem at all, getting started is simple! Just follow these steps to get a quote:

Choose the type of cover that suits you best. This could be single trip travel insurance, annual travel insurance or backpackers travel insurance travel insurance.
Share a few details about yourself and where you’re travelling.
Select the start and end date of your trip.
Declare any pre-existing medical conditions, including any that are a result of your pregnancy.
Add any extra cover you need, like cruise travel cover and business travel insurance.

After that, leave it to us! We’ll compare travel insurance quotes from our panel of trusted travel insurance providers. All you'll need to do is find the policy that feels just right for you. It's as easy as that.

What are the different types of travel insurance?

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Cruise travel insurance

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European travel insurance

It will cover you for any holidays that you've got planned in Europe this year.

Family travel insurance

Means you can get one policy that covers everyone, rather than buying individual policies.

Annual travel insurance

Is the perfect option if you plan on traveling more than once a year.

Pre-existing medical travel insurance

Policies may cover treatment for specific medical conditions.

Single trip travel insurance

Is an affordable way to make sure you're covered on your next holiday.

Ski travel insurance

Is a specialist winter sports policy that covers you against slope injuries.

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