Travel Insurance For Travelling While Pregnant

Don’t get confused or anxious about travelling when pregnant. Our handy guide will help you understand travel insurance and more.

Many insurers now offer some level of Covid-19 cover, but this can vary quite a lot between providers. Examples of what may be covered include:

Emergency medical expenses: Including repatriation (getting you home), and additional expenses (for example, a quarantine hotel stay) if you fall ill with Covid-19.
Cancellation: If you test positive (or a close relative passes away due to Covid-19) prior to your holiday and are unable to travel.
Curtailment: If you test positive for Covid-19 pre-departure, upon arrival at your destination, or while on holiday. Additionally, look for a policy that offers curtailment cover in the event a close relative passes away from Covid-19 during your holiday.

You should be able to travel up to full-term with certain protection from travel insurance, but it’s important to read the terms and conditions of any policy so you know exactly what you’re covered for.

For example, your insurance may only cover you for medical costs associated with pregnancy and childbirth up to a certain stage in your pregnancy, often between 28 and 32 weeks, and it only covers you for complications, not routine treatments. So, if you were to go into natural labour while away after this, you are unlikely to be covered. You also shouldn’t travel against the advice of your doctor at any stage of your pregnancy or this might invalidate your insurance.

And, even if your insurer will cover you, airlines have their own rules around pregnancy and limits when flying with them, so it’s important to check what your individual airline’s rules are before you buy flights in case you are stopped from boarding.

Although it sounds obvious, remember to factor in how many weeks’ pregnant you will be on your return journey as well as your outward one.

One of the key things to look out for in travel insurance when pregnant is the level of medical cover the policy provides. Read the terms and conditions of travel insurance during pregnancy carefully to make sure you’re adequately covered for a range of eventualities, including going into labour prematurely, unforeseen pregnancy complications while you’re away, or having an accident.

You may also be covered for cancellation costs if your doctor advises against travel due to medical issues.

You should also be covered for all of the basics included in standard travel insurance policies, such as lost or stolen baggage and possessions, cancellation, personal liability and delay cover. But remember that all policies are different so make sure anything that is important to you is included.

While you can fly at any point in your pregnancy, and it shouldn’t be harmful to you or your baby so long as your pregnancy has no complications, some women prefer not to fly during the first trimester (during the first three months). This is because there’s a greater risk of miscarriage, plus pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and tiredness, can be at their most extreme.

Airlines and insurers also have restrictions around travelling later in pregnancy due to the increased chance of giving birth, plus you may start to feel more uncomfortable while travelling, so you may feel the most confident flying during the middle stage of your pregnancy.

A holiday before your baby is born is the perfect opportunity to relax. Follow our tips to make sure your trip goes to plan.

Check the rules of both the airline you plan to fly with and your travel insurance provider when it comes to flying when pregnant. Stick to these to prevent any issues.
Some airlines require a doctor’s note saying that you are fit to travel after a certain stage in pregnancy – often 28 weeks. If you need one, allow plenty of time to get it – then don’t forget to pack it in your hand luggage.
Make sure you take your maternity notes away with you in case you have any complications, plus your in-date GHIC card if you’re travelling to Europe.
Look after yourself while you’re flying. You have an increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) so drink plenty of water, move around the plane as often as possible, wear loose-fitting clothes and consider buying some compression stockings.
While you are away, be extra careful with what you eat and drink to avoid stomach upsets.
Avoid travelling to countries where there’s a risk of contracting malaria or the Zika virus.

Hand luggage

Travel documents

Passport
Visa (if necessary)
Plane tickets
Travel insurance documents
GHIC
Any other holiday documentation - for example for your hotel, hire car, transfers or your itinerary
Driving licence
Student card/senior concession card - for discounts on holiday

Valuables

Travel money/overseas credit card/prepaid card
Valuables such as iPad, iPod, mobile phone and camera (plus headphones and a memory card)

Essentials

Any maps, directions or instructions for arrival in resort
Useful contact numbers - for your bank, travel insurance provider, contacts at home, etc
An umbrella
A clear plastic bag for any toiletries
Any medicine you need (plus your prescription) - but remember, you have to stick to the 100ml rule
Tissues/ wet wipes
A notebook and pen

Entertainment and comfort for your journey

A lightweight jumper and socks - in case it gets chilly on the plane
Books, magazines or games
A guidebook to your destination
Painkillers
Lip balm
A sleep kit for long flights - an eye mask, a travel pillow and ear plugs
DVT flight socks
Travel sweets
A bottle of water (buy this once you have passed through security)

Hold luggage

Clothes
Underwear
Sleepwear
Shoes
Chargers - for your mobile phone, camera and any other electrical items
Travel adapter
Toiletries
Swimwear
Sunglasses
Suncream
After sun
Beach towels
Beach bag
Books/ereader
Plastic bags - for wet swimwear/dirty clothes
Rehydration salts
Razor and shaving gel
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Hairbrush/comb
Hairdryer
Accessories: Hats, scarves, belt, etc
First aid kit
Insect repellent
Swiss Army knife
Mini sewing kit

Travelling with children? Don't forget...

A change of clothes for the journey
Snacks and travel sweets for the journey
Wet wipes
Nappies
Enough baby food/milk for the journey (you will have to taste these when passing through security)
Toys, games and books to keep children entertained
Any medication your children will need while away (plus their prescription)
Dummies/comfort blankets/soft toys

Who regulates us?

The TravelSupermarket Limited travel insurance comparison service is operated by Moneysupermarket.com Limited. Registered in England No. 3945937. Registered Office: MONY Group House, St. David's Park, Ewloe, CH5 3UZ.

Moneysupermarket.com Limited is an appointed representative of MONY Group, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA FRN 303190).

TravelSupermarket Limited (FCA FRN 953671) is an appointed representative of MONY Group plc, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA FRN 303190). MONY Group Financial Holdings Limited, registered in England No. 3157344.