Compare travel insurance for pregnant women

In countries outside the UK, emergency medical care can be expensive. Having travel insurance can ease some financial worries if you or your unborn baby needs urgent medical attention during a trip. 

 

Pregnancy isn’t typically treated as a pre-existing medical condition by travel insurers. That means that unless you have pregnancy-related health complications — like diabetes or high blood pressure — you shouldn’t have any issues getting standard cover for a holiday. But different providers offer different levels of protection, so it’s important to do your research and check the conditions before you buy. 

 

For example, travel insurance offered by banks usually limits cover to early-to-mid pregnancy. More comprehensive policies often extend support up to week 36 for a single pregnancy, which can provide more reassurance when you’re travelling. 

 

Valid UK Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) and European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) offer some cover for medical emergencies. They allow you to access state-provided healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA) and other selected countries, on the same basis as a resident of the country that you’re in. This often includes routine maternity care — unless you’re going abroad specifically to give birth. In this case, you’ll need to complete a separate ‘Giving birth abroad’ application.

 

These cards won’t cover non-emergency medical costs (like flight cancellations and lost luggage) or emergency repatriation if you need to go home. So, guidance suggests having travel insurance to cover all bases.  

Travel insurance for pregnant women is mostly the same as basic travel insurance, with a few extra considerations.  

 

Standard travel insurance offers protection for unexpected problems and circumstances, including:  

 

• Trip cancellation or curtailment (due to serious illness, injury, bereavement, jury service or another unforeseen emergency). 

 

• Emergency medical treatment or evacuation. 

 

• Travel disruption and delays. 

 

• Lost, stolen or damaged belongings. 

 

• Personal liability claims. 

 

As long as you’re not travelling against medical advice and you’ve declared any pre-existing conditions, your pregnancy shouldn’t impact your travel insurance cover. Still, it’s wise to look for pregnancy-related inclusions in your policy to make sure you’re protected.

 

Pregnancy-related policy terms vary between insurance providers, but may include: 

 

• Cancellation or curtailment under a doctor’s advice due to pregnancy complications.  

 

• Medical expenses linked to pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes or hyperemesis gravidarum (severe nausea and vomiting).

 

• Emergency premature birth costs for the mother and baby.  

 

• Repatriation costs for the mother and baby, if medically necessary.  

 

• Additional expenses as a result of pregnancy complications while abroad.  

 

Always read the policy wording carefully to make sure you’re aware of any pregnancy-specific limitations. These usually include gestational age limits (the number of weeks of pregnancy they cover), neonatal care time limits and routine maternity care exclusions. Comparing all your options carefully will help you find one that suits your situation. 

Every travel insurance provider will have different approaches to pregnancy cover. You can expect most providers to offer standard cover for things like lost luggage and flight delays, but there are some pregnancy-specific exclusions to be aware of.

 

Planned births, scans and routine check-ups won’t be covered. It’s also unlikely you’ll be covered if you travel past the insurance provider’s ‘cut-off week’ or against airline regulations and medical advice. Failing to disclose any pregnancy-related complications or pre-existing conditions to your travel insurance provider may mean a claim isn’t accepted.

 

These limitations may impact your decision to travel while pregnant. Understanding your entitlements in advance can help you plan with confidence and make more informed choices during your trip. 

 

For low-risk pregnancies, travel insurance shouldn’t cost any more than a standard policy. Still, there are a few reasons why a provider might increase the cost of your insurance while you’re pregnant. 

 

• Health history: disclosing pre-existing medical conditions and pregnancy-related complications might lead to more expensive policies. 

 

• Pregnancy stage: travelling later in pregnancy may limit which policies are available, as the chance of premature birth is higher. 

 

• Multiple pregnancies: carrying twins or multiples is generally considered a higher-risk pregnancy, which can increase cover costs if declared. 

 

It’s also worth noting that pregnancy cover for destinations where neonatal care is more expensive may be significantly higher. Comparing different options for the level of cover you need will help you find a single-trip or annual multi-trip policy that offers appropriate protection for a fair price. 

Travel insurance may not be your first priority when planning a trip, but buying the right cover early can protect your booking if plans change.

 

Want to make sure you’re getting good value for your money? Here are some things to look out for when comparing policies.

 

• Check the gestation limit carefully, as some policies stop cover earlier than others.

 

• Declare all past complications and pre-existing medical conditions (like asthma, epilepsy or heart conditions) to ensure the policy is valid and if you need to claim. 

 

• Check the cut-off date against your travel plans to make sure you won’t need to buy another plan to cover your holiday. 

 

• Consider buying a travel insurance policy as soon as you book to activate your cancellation protection immediately.

 

• Speak to your existing family travel insurance provider to see if you could get a better deal by upgrading your policy. 

 

Taking the time to research travel insurance options before booking can help you find a great deal and make sure your trip runs smoothly. 

Below, we’ve answered some common questions people have about travel insurance for pregnancy. Remember that every situation is unique, so it’s a good idea to ask a professional for advice before travelling when pregnant.