Find the right pregnancy travel insurance – you can secure cover during your third trimester. However, very few providers will offer insurance after 30 weeks.
Travel insurers can offer cover up to 30 weeks of pregnancy, with a select few offering cover up to 36 weeks
You may need to let the travel insurer know that you are expecting
Cover may differ if you are expecting twins or have conceived through IVF
Compare travel insurance for pregnancy
Enter your trip details, filter by "Pregnancy", and select 'More info' to see each travel insurers maximum gestation period.
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What is pregnancy travel insurance?
Pregnancy travel insurance is a policy that will cover you for pregnancy-related expenses while you travel. It's most handy for unexpected medical expenses and cancellation. While it's not usually a specific type of policy, you can get covered by choosing the right travel insurance for your trip.
It can cover you for;
Financial support for unexpected medical complications
Emergency childbirth
Cancellation cover if your doctor says it's not safe to travel
Additional expenses to fly your partner or a relative to support you in case of emergency
Your repatriation to Australia in case of emergency (this usually won't cover the repatriation of your baby if it's born overseas)
Daily hospital cash allowance to cover things like TV use and magazines in the hospital
Does travel insurance cover pregnancy complications?
Yes, travel insurance may cover claims that arise from complications that include:
toxaemia
gestational diabetes
gestational hypertension
pre-eclampsia
ectopic pregnancy
molar pregnancy or hydatidiform mole
post-partum haemorrhage
retained placenta membrane
placental abruption
hyperemesis gravidarum
placenta praevia
stillbirth
miscarriage
emergency caesarean section
a termination due to medical reasons
premature births (insurers may have a gestation limit)
What isn't covered by pregnancy travel insurance?
There are certain situations and circumstances when pregnancy simply will not be covered by your travel insurance. Your insurer may not provide any cover if:
Your claim is for antenatal care, childbirth or the care of a newborn child
Your claim is for standard pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness, breast tenderness, fatigue, frequent urination, constipation and heartburn
The purpose of your trip is to undergo fertility treatment
You've experienced pregnancy complications prior to your policy being issued
Your pregnancy was conceived through assisted reproduction services such as IVF
You travel against medical advice
Your pregnancy will pass the maximum period of gestation allowed by the insurer during your trip
Your claim is for medical expenses incurred in Australia
Your claim is for regular antenatal care and routine pregnancy check-ups, for example standard ultrasounds, blood tests or pregnancy tests
This list isn't exhaustive. If there's something specific that you're worried about, check directly with your chosen insurer.
How do travel insurers cover pregnancy?
Here's a more detailed breakdown of how some of Australia's most popular travel insurers cover pregnancy.
Maximum Gestation Period
Unexpected complications
Twins
Emergency Childbirth
Newborn Care
Cancellation Expenses
Up to 24 weeks
Up to 19 weeks
Up to an unlimited amount
Up to 22 weeks
No cover
Up to $10,000
Up to 24 weeks
No cover
Up to $5,000
Up to 24 weeks
Cover available, gestation period not stated
Cover chosen
Up to 30 weeks
Up to 20 weeks
Up to $20,000
Up to 22 weeks
No cover
Up to $20,000
Up to 36 weeks
Up to 32 weeks
Up to an unlimited amount
Up to 25 weeks
Medical assessment must be completed
Up to an unlimited amount
Up to 23 weeks
Up to 19 weeks
Up to an unlimited amount
Up to 26 weeks
Cover available, gestation period not stated
Up to an unlimited amount
Up to 24 weeks
Cover available, gestation period not stated
Cover chosen
Up to 23 weeks
No cover
Chosen Limit*
Up to 30 weeks
Up to 20 weeks
Up to an unlimited amount
Up to 25 weeks
Cover available, gestation period not stated
Up to an unlimited amount
Up to 26 weeks
No cover
Cover chosen
Up to 26 weeks
Up to 19 weeks
Up to $15,000
Up to 26 weeks
Up to 19 weeks
Up to $15,000
Up to 24 weeks
19 weeks
Up to $40,000
Up to 24 weeks
No cover
Cover chosen
Up to 24 weeks
Up to 19 weeks
Up to an unlimited amount
How to find the best travel insurance for pregnancy
Ask your doctor if it's safe to travel
Figure out your gestation period
Compare your options and choose a brand that will cover your gestation period
Make sure you have cover for pregnancy-related complications and cancellations
Buy the travel insurance policy as early as possible
When can I get travel insurance for pregnancy?
Most insurers can cover you if you're between 20-26 weeks pregnant. The risk of complications, including giving birth, increases as you move towards the end of your third trimester. But, you can still get cover outside of these times in some cases.
Be aware that some domestic travel policies won't include pregnancy cover. Also, insurers will likely set strict conditions about what they'll cover – and what they won't – in relation to your pregnancy.
Why Sarah got travel insurance
Our expert says
"I have actually planned international travel around pregnancy in the past to give me peace of mind. The last thing I ever wanted was to end up giving birth in a foreign country without the same access to affordable healthcare we have in Australia. Different countries have different laws around 'viability' too, which is awful to think about – the gestation at which doctors think the baby being born is viable with life - but it's really important. In Australia viability is 24 weeks, but in other countries it's 26 weeks. Most recently I flew at 15 weeks pregnant and I read my policy that came free with my credit card before I travelled, and confirmed that as long as I spend at least $500 on travel using my card, I was covered for pregnancy up to 23 weeks."
While travel can be relaxing, memorable and fun, it also comes with a number of risks attached. Before hitting the road, make sure you’re aware of what can go wrong, and the complications it could cause for you and your unborn child:
Illness. Falling ill on the road is not only unpleasant, it can also cause serious issues for pregnant women. Due to the increased risk of disease, travel to developing countries is not recommended. You should also be very wary of visiting any country where malaria is present, as malaria can cause miscarriage, premature labour and stillbirth.
Food poisoning. Some infections can harm your baby or even lead to miscarriage, so be careful what you eat and drink if visiting a country with poor hygiene standards. Avoid undercooked meats and soft cheeses, wash your hands thoroughly, and don’t eat from dodgy street food vendors. If you’re not sure about the quality of the water supply, make sure to only drink bottled water.
Medications. Pregnant women need to be wary of taking any medications during pregnancy. Some medications, including some products commonly used to treat traveller’s diarrhoea, are dangerous during pregnancy. Make sure you only take medication recommended by a doctor who is aware of your pregnancy.
Stress. Battling crowds, rushing to make it to the airport on time and dealing with unexpected delays can all cause stress on a holiday. Try to just take it easy and go with the flow at all times, and avoid situations or experiences that are likely to cause stress. While piloting a scooter through the manic city streets of Hanoi might have been the perfect holiday experience when you were younger, a lazy beach holiday is a much better idea at this time of your life.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Extended periods without moving, such as on a plane or in a car, can cause clots to form in the deep veins of the leg. DVT can potentially be fatal, and pregnant women have a higher risk of developing it.
Overheating. Overheating during pregnancy can cause serious problems, so take care if travelling in hot weather. Take it easy, stay hydrated at all times, avoid the hottest part of the day, wear plenty of sunscreen and avoid overexerting yourself.
According to pregnancybirthbaby.org, it's best to travel within the second trimester - between 13-26 weeks. At this time, you're at the lowest risk of complications. It's also helpful to note that some airlines have a restriction on gestation periods for your own safety. Make sure to check this before you travel, if you're denied boarding for being too far long in your prgenancy, travel insurance is unlikely to cover you.
Not usually. Most insurers will automatically cover single, uncomplicated pregnancies at no extra cost. If you're having twins, have had fertility treatments (like IVF) or have pre-existing conditions related to your pregnancy, you may have to pay an additional premium.
Yes. There are a fair few travel insurance brands that will cover multiple pregnancies. You may have to take an online medical assessment when applying and pay for any additional premiums for cover.
Some travel insurers will cover emergency childbirths, but not all. Make sure to check directly with your insurer. If it's a planned overseas birth, your travel insurance probably won't cover the costs as it's usually for unexpected medical care.
It really depends on the insurer. There are many insurers who will not provide any cover for the cost of childbirth or expenses related to the medical care of a newborn baby. If you select such a policy and your baby is born overseas, keep in mind that you will most likely face extensive out-of-pocket expenses and, depending on where you're travelling, may not be able to access the best possible level of care for your baby.
However, some insurers will provide cover if your baby arrives early, as long as your little bundle of joy is born inside the insurer's maximum weeks of pregnancy permitted time limit. As always, check the PDS closely to read the full terms and conditions and contact the insurer directly if there's anything you're unsure about.
If you reach the 32-week mark halfway through your holiday, don't expect your travel insurance to continue providing pregnancy cover all the way through until you return to Australia. In fact, many will refuse to provide any pregnancy cover for your trip unless you're due to return to Australia before the gestation limit has been reached. Once you've reached the insurer's maximum coverable gestation, you will most likely be unable to claim for anything related to your pregnancy or its complications. We recommend making sure your trip ends before you hit the 32-week mark to ensure your whole holiday is covered.
If you're advised against travelling by your doctor, the good news is that your travel insurance policy can provide cover for the cost of cancelling your holiday. This includes cover for any cancellation fees you're required to pay, as well as any pre-paid deposits for accommodation, tours and the like that are non-refundable. You can also take advantage of trip interruption cover from your travel insurer. For example, if an unexpected complication develops during your journey and treating doctors recommend that the best course of action is for you to return home and rest, travel insurance can cover the cost of your forfeited pre-paid expenses and also the additional flights needed to get you home safely.
Jessica Prasida is a travel insurance expert for Finder. She lives and breathes travel, having worked as a travel agent and branch manager at STA Travel for over 4 years, then writing about travel insurance with Finder for another 5 years. Jess has a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology, Sydney and a Tier 1 General Insurance qualification. See full bio
James Martin was the insurance editor at Finder. He has written on a range of insurance and finance topics for over 7 years. James often shares his insurance expertise as a media spokesperson and has appeared on Prime 7 News, WIN News, Insurance News, 7NEWS and The Guardian. He holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, both of which meet the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio
James's expertise
James has written 204 Finder guides across topics including:
Some of the insurance companies you have listed above show they cover for IVF and Multiple pregnancies but when I go to their sites one or both of these conditions isn’t covered. Is this table up to date? Thanks
Finder
RichardApril 7, 2016Finder
Hi Sally,
Thanks for your question. I have gone through the table to make sure the information is correct. A couple of the providers have indeed updated their information. The data contained in the table reflects the information available in the product disclosure statements (PDS) available from each insurance brand and is up to date.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
ErinNovember 10, 2016
Your table is still out of date. Already been through three of the companies you listed as being ok to cover pregnancies as a result of IVF and none so far actually cover this.
Finder
RichardNovember 11, 2016Finder
Hi Erin,
Thanks for getting in touch. I’ve reviewed the table and amended those policies which have been updated. It looks like for the majority, you’ll need to provide a pre-existing medical declaration. Also, Worldcare does offer this cover.
All the best,
Richard
RebeccaMarch 11, 2016
Hi,
I am planning to travel to Fiji for 1week, returning in my 32nd week of pregnancy. Obstetrician is happy for me to go.
Single, unassisted and healthy pregnancy.
I have found some providers that will cover me, but not the baby if it is born prematurely. Can you provide any advice on who would cover the costs for both me and the baby?
Thank you,
Rebecca
Finder
RichardMarch 13, 2016Finder
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for your question.
There are a lot of travel insurance brands that include pregnancy cover as part of their standard policy. While a fair few insurers cover emergency births, some insurers do not cover childbirth at any stage of the pregnancy.
If the policy you are going to take out covers pregnancy, then there’s a good chance it will cover emergency births. If this is something you’re worried about, make sure you confirm directly with your insurer.
Dear Will,
I would like to ask you, if you can recommend me some travel insurance. I will travel to Israel on 2.July till 13.July and will be in my 31./32. week of pregnancy. Im from Czech rep. and here we have travel insurance covering pregnancy issues just till 28.week. Thanks for your answer
Finder
RichardJune 16, 2015Finder
Hi Lucie,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and we are not permitted to provide personalised advice. The travel insurers in our panel provide policies for Australian citizen and those in Australia on certain visas.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
CatApril 30, 2015
Will anyone cover a refund of paid for bookings if I get pregnant after paying and therefore have to cancel because the destination is not safe during pregnancy (such as Cusco in Peru)?
Finder
WilliamMay 1, 2015Finder
Hi Cat,
Generally Pregnancy will be only covered up to 26 weeks inclusive, if it is a single, natural and no complications and cover will only be provided if it is an emergency. General check ups are not covered under the policy.You would not covered if it is unsafe to travel, you are only covered for cancellation if case there is a complication that has been certified by a medical practitioner.
I hope this helps,
Will
HbAugust 3, 2017
Hi can I check if a 26 week 5 day pregnancy would be covered under the ’26 week inclusive’ clause? Thanks very much.
ArnoldAugust 4, 2017
Hi Hb,
Thanks for your inquiry.
This extension provides cover from the 26th week of pregnancy for unexpected pregnancy-related complications, childbirth, and care of new-born during the trip, provided:
– Your trip does not extend beyond the 30th week of pregnancy
– You’re not traveling against the advice of your doctor or midwife
– There have been no complications with your pregnancy
– It’s not a multiple pregnancy
– The pregnancy did not result from assisted reproductive programs
Note: if you have any non-pregnancy related medical conditions you will need to apply for this extension by phone
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Arnold
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Some of the insurance companies you have listed above show they cover for IVF and Multiple pregnancies but when I go to their sites one or both of these conditions isn’t covered. Is this table up to date? Thanks
Hi Sally,
Thanks for your question. I have gone through the table to make sure the information is correct. A couple of the providers have indeed updated their information. The data contained in the table reflects the information available in the product disclosure statements (PDS) available from each insurance brand and is up to date.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Your table is still out of date. Already been through three of the companies you listed as being ok to cover pregnancies as a result of IVF and none so far actually cover this.
Hi Erin,
Thanks for getting in touch. I’ve reviewed the table and amended those policies which have been updated. It looks like for the majority, you’ll need to provide a pre-existing medical declaration. Also, Worldcare does offer this cover.
All the best,
Richard
Hi,
I am planning to travel to Fiji for 1week, returning in my 32nd week of pregnancy. Obstetrician is happy for me to go.
Single, unassisted and healthy pregnancy.
I have found some providers that will cover me, but not the baby if it is born prematurely. Can you provide any advice on who would cover the costs for both me and the baby?
Thank you,
Rebecca
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for your question.
There are a lot of travel insurance brands that include pregnancy cover as part of their standard policy. While a fair few insurers cover emergency births, some insurers do not cover childbirth at any stage of the pregnancy.
If the policy you are going to take out covers pregnancy, then there’s a good chance it will cover emergency births. If this is something you’re worried about, make sure you confirm directly with your insurer.
You may see the list of insurers on the pregnancy travel insurance and speak to insurers that includes emergency childbirth.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Dear Will,
I would like to ask you, if you can recommend me some travel insurance. I will travel to Israel on 2.July till 13.July and will be in my 31./32. week of pregnancy. Im from Czech rep. and here we have travel insurance covering pregnancy issues just till 28.week. Thanks for your answer
Hi Lucie,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and we are not permitted to provide personalised advice. The travel insurers in our panel provide policies for Australian citizen and those in Australia on certain visas.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Will anyone cover a refund of paid for bookings if I get pregnant after paying and therefore have to cancel because the destination is not safe during pregnancy (such as Cusco in Peru)?
Hi Cat,
Generally Pregnancy will be only covered up to 26 weeks inclusive, if it is a single, natural and no complications and cover will only be provided if it is an emergency. General check ups are not covered under the policy.You would not covered if it is unsafe to travel, you are only covered for cancellation if case there is a complication that has been certified by a medical practitioner.
I hope this helps,
Will
Hi can I check if a 26 week 5 day pregnancy would be covered under the ’26 week inclusive’ clause? Thanks very much.
Hi Hb,
Thanks for your inquiry.
This extension provides cover from the 26th week of pregnancy for unexpected pregnancy-related complications, childbirth, and care of new-born during the trip, provided:
– Your trip does not extend beyond the 30th week of pregnancy
– You’re not traveling against the advice of your doctor or midwife
– There have been no complications with your pregnancy
– It’s not a multiple pregnancy
– The pregnancy did not result from assisted reproductive programs
Note: if you have any non-pregnancy related medical conditions you will need to apply for this extension by phone
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Arnold