Traveling internationally while pregnant can definitely bring some uncertainty, especially when it comes to medical care. When traveling while pregnant, it’s important to consider the fact that you may need to receive medical attention at some point during your travels, and whether or not healthcare would be covered outside of your home country.
If you must travel internationally while pregnant, it’s crucial to understand how travel insurance and pregnancy work and what your options are for medical coverage abroad.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Pregnancy?
Due to the short-term nature of travel insurance, it does not offer coverage for pregnancy-related services such as prenatal check ups, labor and delivery or maternity care.
The reason that travel medical insurance doesn’t cover pregnancy-related care is due to the overall purpose of travel insurance, which is to offer protection for unforeseen medical events that specifically occur during one’s travels after the policy effective date. It is not meant to act as your domestic healthcare plan which one would likely use for preventative care, check-ups, doctor visits, prescriptions, and pregnancy care.
While travel insurance doesn’t cover pregnancy-related care, it still can cover a pregnant person if they need medical attention for a new injury or illness not related to the pregnancy that happens during their trip.
Additionally, there are select travel medical insurance plans that do offer limited coverage for emergency medical treatment due to pregnancy or complications due to pregnancy.
Is Pregnancy a Pre-existing Condition for Travel Insurance?
Pregnancy is typically not considered a pre-existing condition for travel insurance coverage, however, complications related to the pregnancy could be considered a pre-existing condition. If you have complications related to pregnancy, such as hyperemesis gravidarum, you may be qualified for the pre-existing condition waiver provided by trip insurance and some limited travel medical insurance plans. However, it is important to note that you must be in stable condition to travel when the insurance policy is purchased.
Pre-existing conditions are often excluded from travel insurance policies due to their high-risk, and pregnancy falls under this category.
What Is the Best Travel Insurance for Pregnancy?
While travel medical insurance doesn’t cover pregnancy-related care, and may not offer coverage for pregnant travels, there are a few plans that are recommended for those who are pregnant and are looking for some protection while traveling abroad.
Atlas America is a travel medical insurance plan for those visiting the U.S. from abroad that may cover complications due to pregnancy within the first 26 weeks of gestation.
Visitors Protect is a travel medical insurance plan for international travelers to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico which can provide coverage under certain conditions in the unlikely event of a life threatening emergency occurring while pregnant and traveling.
Safe Travel USA Comprehensive is a travel medical insurance plan for non-U.S. residents traveling to the U.S. or internationally and may cover a limited amount for emergency medical treatment due to pregnancy.
Should a Pregnant Traveler Get Travel Insurance?
While travel insurance doesn’t directly cover pregnancy-related care, there are still instances in which having travel insurance while traveling pregnant can be extremely beneficial.
Having a travel medical insurance policy while traveling abroad can help protect a pregnant traveler if they happen to get injured or become ill during their trip, unrelated to their pregnancy. In this circumstance, a travel insurance policy can offer coverage for eligible medical expenses incurred.
Additionally, one of the plans listed above that offer limited coverage for emergency situations related to pregnancy can give you peace of mind that you may be covered in the event of an emergency situation while traveling pregnant.
As a pregnant traveler, you may also consider opting for trip insurance, which is insurance specifically for trip-related expenses as well as offering other benefits, such as coverage for medical coverage due to accidents or sickness and lost baggage on top of medical coverage.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Cancellation and Interruption Due to Pregnancy?
If you purchase a trip insurance plan, a plan that offers trip-related coverage for prepaid and nonrefundable travel expenses, it will cover cancellation and interruption due to pregnancy under certain circumstances.
Trip cancellation due to pregnancy can be covered if:
- You or a traveling companion have verified medical records of a pregnancy complication after the effective date of your coverage, or
- You or your traveling companion have to cancel your trip due to pregnancy or childbirth, as verified by medical records, after the effective date of your policy
Additionally, a trip interruption due to pregnancy complications can be covered if you experience an emergency that causes you to not continue with your trip.
Complications of pregnancy typically include gestational diabetes requiring urgent care, premature labor, severe morning sickness requiring medical attention (or hyperemesis gravidarum), and other complications listed in your trip insurance policy’s description.
Oftentimes, cancellation and interruption won’t be covered for the following reasons related to pregnancy:
- False labor
- Occasional spotting
- Morning sickness
- Similar conditions to those involved in managing pregnancy complications
Conditions may vary from plan to plan, so it’s recommended to read your trip insurance policy's description of coverage to understand under what circumstances trip cancellation would be covered due to pregnancy.
Consider Trip Insurance with CFAR Coverage
Oftentimes, trip insurance provides an optional add-on to your policy called Cancel For Any Reason insurance. Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage allows you to cancel for literally any reason, whether you are having severe morning sickness or a fear of traveling while pregnant up to 48 hours before your departure.
CFAR gives you flexibility and confidence knowing that you can cancel for those reasons that aren’t typically covered by insurance, and still recoup up to 75% of your trip costs. All policies are different, but generally you need to purchase the optional CFAR benefit within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit in order to receive coverage.
Tips for Traveling While Pregnant
If you are planning to travel internationally while pregnant, it’s important to keep in mind the following:
- Be prepared for emergencies and medical care, and the costs associated with paying out of pocket for medical fees in the event of unforeseen pregnancy complications abroad.
- If visiting the U.S., look into local charitable hospitals or federal programs for benefits related to pregnancy care coverage.
- If you are being sponsored by someone to visit the U.S., keep in mind that your sponsor may be legally responsible for any expenses incurred for medical care that is received.
- If possible, it is advised to avoid traveling internationally while pregnant to reduce risk and potential financial burden.
Stay Protected Abroad With Travel Insurance
If you are currently pregnant and are planning to travel abroad, it’s important to consider travel insurance, whether medical coverage or trip insurance coverage, to ensure that you are protected abroad for circumstances unrelated to pregnancy.
Compare travel medical insurance plans or trip insurance plans or contact our Customer Success Team with any questions. We are happy to help!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are prenatal checkups while traveling abroad covered?
Prenatal visits and other routine care while traveling internationally are often not covered since travel insurance typically covers unexpected events. However, it may cover your medical emergencies due to complications related to your pregnancy. It is recommended to do the checkups and routine care you need to do before your trip to make sure you are prepared to travel.
Can I buy travel insurance if I am already pregnant?
Yes, you can buy travel insurance if you are already pregnant, however it is important to read your policy plan to understand how pregnancy can impact your travel insurance coverage. If you have any concerns about your validity, our team of licensed insurance specialists can help guide you through the process of choosing a plan and clarify what’s included to ensure you have enough coverage.
Until what stage of pregnancy am I covered?
While it depends on the policy, most travel insurance plans generally cover up to 26 weeks of gestation. After 26 weeks, pregnancy-related claims are typically not covered. Again, it can vary from plan to plan, so it is important to make sure you contact your insurance provider for clarification.
Should I tell my travel insurance that I am pregnant before traveling?
Travel insurance applications do not ask about pregnancy, and you are not required to disclose it when purchasing the plan. However, it can help validate your coverage and eligibility for travel insurance, ensuring to ease stress.
When should I buy travel insurance?
It is recommended to purchase trip insurance as soon as you have booked your trip to make sure you have strong coverage and benefits. You can buy it after you have already booked your trip, but if you want certain optional add-ons such as Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and pre-existing condition waivers, then you would want to purchase trip insurance as soon as possible. Typically, you have to buy such add-ons within 14-21 days after your initial trip deposit.
Can I buy Cancel For Any Reason coverage by itself without a travel insurance plan?
Typically, you cannot purchase CFAR insurance by itself and is usually an add-on for most travel insurance plans. However, adding Cancel For Any Reason to a trip insurance plan can help cover you if you need to cancel just in case, while covering you for other trip related reasons if you do decide to travel.
Is Cancel For Any Reason coverage worth the additional cost?
While the CFAR travel insurance cost can add 40% to 50% to your base premium, it may be worth it for travelers who want the flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason, especially if pregnant, and still recuperate a majority of the costs that you would have otherwise lost.
