At a glance
It’s generally safe to travel when pregnant, and you shouldn’t need a specialist travel insurance policy.
Travel insurance may not cover you if you’re more than a certain number of weeks pregnant.
Each airline has its own rules about when you can fly and what documentation is needed.
You must inform your insurance provider if you have a pre-existing condition or any pregnancy-related complications.
Do I need specialist travel insurance during pregnancy?
No, you shouldn’t need specialist travel insurance for your pregnancy. Being pregnant isn’t an unusual situation, and both multi-trip and single-trip travel policies can cover women who travel while expecting.
You also shouldn’t have to pay more for travel insurance when pregnant. Pregnancy isn’t considered a pre-existing condition by most insurance providers. So, unless you have any pregnancy-related complications, getting cover should be straightforward.
What does pregnancy travel insurance cover?
Pregnancy travel insurance should cover the same basics as standard holiday cover. These include:
Medical expenses if you become ill or are injured while you’re away. But this is insurance for emergency treatment, so you won’t be covered for routine antenatal check-ups, for example.
Repatriation if you need to be brought back to the UK because of illness or injury.
Cancellation cover – check whether your policy will cover you if you have to cancel your trip on medical advice.
Flight delays or missed flights and connections cover – if you have to pay additional costs for accommodation, for example, because of a missed flight.
What do I need to think about when buying pregnancy travel insurance?
What’s covered by pregnancy travel insurance can vary widely between providers. And levels of cover may differ even with the same provider.
When weighing up what travel insurance you need when pregnant, think about:
Your stage of pregnancy
Travel insurance may not cover you if you’re more than a certain number of weeks pregnant.
The safest time to fly when you are pregnant is before 37 weeks, if you are carrying one baby, according to The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). And if you are carrying an uncomplicated twin pregnancy, before 32 weeks, says RCOG. After 37 weeks you could go into labour at any time.
Whether you’re covered for premature birth
Some policies will only cover you for this if you give birth more than a certain number of weeks before the due date. Also check whether your newborn will be covered.
Your current cover
If you already have annual travel insurance, check your policy to see what cover you have and whether it’s enough. If your annual policy doesn’t meet your needs, talk to your provider about upgrading cover or adding optional extras.
The maximum you can claim
If, for example, you have to cancel or cut short your trip, or if you need to be repatriated to the UK.
Additional expenses
What additional expenses are covered if you give birth abroad and need to delay your return, for example. Compare pregnancy travel cover carefully before you commit.
Single-trip or annual pregnancy travel insurance?
It depends how many holidays you’re thinking of taking. If you’re planning just one trip, single-trip should be the cheaper option. But if you want to go on several getaways, annual travel insurance could work out cheaper.
Customers with pre-existing medical conditions
If you have a serious health condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive. Whatever happens, tell your insurance provider the truth. If you give false information or miss something out, your claim could be rejected.
When you declare any medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show you quotes from insurance providers that will cover them with no exclusions.
If your condition is more serious, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone. You can call them on 0800 138 7777.
Do I need pregnancy travel insurance if I have a GHIC card?
Yes. Although it’s not compulsory, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office strongly recommends it.
Ideally, you should have comprehensive travel insurance in place alongside a valid Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) card or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if it’s still in date.
This offers you medically necessary, state-provided healthcare within the European Economic Area (EEA), on the same basis as local people. So, if it’s free in that area, it should also be free to you. Without the GHIC or EHIC, this isn’t guaranteed.
Some insurance providers insist that you have a GHIC/EHIC when travelling to Europe. So, make sure you apply in time. You can apply for a new card up to six months before your current card expires. The card is free via the NHS website.
Remember, GHIC/EHIC cards are not alternatives to travel insurance. They won’t cover you for things like stolen luggage or cancelled flights.
What pregnancy documents do I need to take with me?
If you do need medical attention while away, it’s vital to have the right health records and documents with you. These include:
Your travel insurance policy and emergency helpline number
A valid GHIC/EHIC card if you’re visiting Europe
Your maternity notes
Any medication you’re taking
Any document needed to confirm your due date and that you are fit to fly.
Some airlines might also ask you to fill in their own forms about pregnancy. Check with your airline to see what’s needed.
Keep any receipts or paperwork you receive safe, in case you need to make a claim.
What happens if I become pregnant after I’ve booked a holiday?
If you discover you’re pregnant after booking your holiday, and you want to cancel your trip, you may have to pay cancellation costs.
If, however, you need to cancel because your doctor has advised against travelling, your insurance provider might pay out. This varies between policies, though. So, speak to your provider to make sure.
It’s always a good idea to buy travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your holiday. That way, you’ll be covered from the get-go.
What else should I think about if travelling while pregnant?
To make holidaying while pregnant as stress-free as possible, think about the following before and during your trip:
Medical advice
Make sure you get the all-clear from your doctor or midwife before you go. If you travel against medical advice, your insurance policy will be invalid. That means you won’t be able to claim if something goes wrong.
Vaccinations
Your doctor can help you navigate travel vaccinations and anti-malaria medication. Pregnant women are usually advised against taking vaccines that use live bacteria or viruses. And some anti-malaria drugs aren’t safe for pregnant women either.
So, if you’re travelling somewhere that recommends these, speak to your doctor or midwife.
Airlines
If you’re more than 28 weeks pregnant, the airline may ask you for a letter from your midwife or doctor. This should confirm your due date and that you’re not at risk of complications. It may take time to get the letter, so make sure you plan in advance.
Many airlines won’t allow pregnant travellers to fly after 37 weeks, or 32 weeks if you’re expecting twins. But for some airlines it may be even sooner. So, check your airline’s policy before booking your flight.
The NHS also offers valuable advice on travelling safely while pregnant.
Staying safe and comfortable on the plane
While it’s generally safe to fly, pregnant women can be more prone to DVT (deep vein thrombosis). This is especially true on long-haul flights of over four hours.
If you’re going on a long flight or you’re going to be sitting down for four hours or more, get advice from your midwife before you go.
To stay hydrated on the plane, drink plenty of water. And take some healthy snacks with you.
Travel light
Carrying extra weight in the form of a baby can put more strain on your lower back. So be kind to yourself and pack light. Choose a wheeled suitcase and be careful when lifting it. Or better still, ask for help if you feel you need it.
Food and drink
The NHS offers helpful advice on what food and drink to avoid while pregnant – both at home and abroad.
As a general rule:
Make sure meat and fish are cooked all the way through, even if you generally prefer your red meat rare.
Avoid uncooked vegetables and salad.
Stick to fruit that you’ve peeled yourself.
Drink bottled water, soft drinks and juice in cans.
Avoid ice.
Take care in the sun
It’s great to top up the vitamin D. But the increased hormones you have when you’re pregnant can make you more sensitive to sunburn. Take care not to overdo it and stay out of the sun when it’s at its hottest.
Avoid destinations affected by malaria or the Zika virus
The UK Government and NHS advise against travelling to countries with a risk of Zika virus. That’s because it’s more dangerous to pregnant women and their babies.
Catching malaria in pregnancy is also dangerous.
You can check information for your destination country on the Travel Health Pro website.
Activities
Risky sports and activities, such as horse riding, water-skiing and surfing, aren’t recommended during pregnancy. Other popular holiday activities that are advised against include:
Scuba diving – you may be at risk of decompression sickness, which could lead to miscarriage.
Hot-air balloon trips – the change in oxygen levels can be problematic if you’re pregnant.
Saunas, hot tubs and whirlpools – these could put you at risk of dehydration and fainting.
Get plenty of rest
Take those extra-long naps when you need them. And wear comfortable shoes that give support. Pregnancy can make you prone to swollen feet and ankles, so put your feet up when you get the chance.
Building café stops or rests and siestas into your itinerary can help you resist the temptation to overdo it.
Be prepared for sea sickness
If you’re suffering from morning sickness, it could be worse on board a ship. If you think this might be an issue for you, talk to your doctor or midwife and see what they recommend.
Don’t take any anti-sickness medicines without first checking they’re safe for pregnancy. Your midwife or GP should be able to offer you any other medical advice you need before travelling.
Is it easy to get a travel insurance quote if I’m pregnant?
Yes. Getting a travel insurance quote that covers pregnancy shouldn’t be any harder than getting standard travel insurance. You’ll just need to let insurance providers know:
Your travel dates
Your holiday destination
Any optional extras you’d like added to your policy.
You don’t necessarily need to declare your pregnancy as it’s not considered a pre-existing medical condition. But failing to let insurance providers know might mean you don’t have adequate cover for any pregnancy-related problems.
And you must tell your provider about any pregnancy complications and conditions related to pregnancy.
Where can I find pregnancy travel insurance?
At Compare the Market, we make it easy to compare a range of travel insurance policies for pregnant women.
When you compare travel insurance with us, we’ll send you a list of insurance providers that cover all your requirements. So, all you need to do is choose the policy that suits you best.
FAQs
Can you get an annual multi-trip policy while pregnant?
Yes, you can get an annual multi-trip policy while pregnant.
But we’d recommend checking your policy wording or speaking to your travel insurance provider to be sure that it offers the cover you want.
Will pregnancy travel insurance allow me to travel up to full term?
Some pregnancy holiday insurance policies will allow you to travel up to full term. But check your policy carefully.
If your pregnancy travel cover has a cut-off point and you go abroad beyond that, your insurance could become invalid.
What happens if I go into labour abroad?
If you go into labour abroad and don’t have travel insurance you’ll need to cover the medical costs and, potentially, a prolonged stay in your holiday destination.
Some airlines won’t allow newborns on flights until they are two weeks old. This could be even older if your baby is premature.
Travel insurance could help cover the costs of medical expenses, as well as providing you with a place to stay and alternative travel home. But check what your policy covers before you buy.
Bear in mind, most travel insurance policies won’t cover planned overseas births.
Is flying while pregnant dangerous?
Flying while pregnant isn’t inherently dangerous and wearing a seatbelt on a plane is safe. It does not put you at greater risk of going into labour.
The reason you may be advised to avoid travelling in advanced pregnancy is to reduce the risk of going into premature labour while on a flight. However, long-distance flights of more than four hours can carry a small increased risk of blood clots.
Is it safest to travel in the first three months of pregnancy?
No, travelling in the first three months of pregnancy isn’t necessarily safer, as this stage carries the highest risk of miscarriage. Women may also suffer from nausea and feel very tired during the first three months.
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With more than eight years’ experience in writing and sub-editing content, Karen started her career in fashion before making the move to insurance. She now specialises in producing clear, engaging content that helps people make better financial decisions.
Karen’s areas of expertise include insurance products, such as car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance, as well as utilities such as energy comparison.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
An experienced commercial leader with nearly 20 years’ experience in digital comparison and consumer services, Tom Lyon is a trusted voice in industries that affect millions of households. Tom’s made appearances on BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky News, as well as programmes such as Watchdog, The One Show and Good Morning Britain.
Tom’s areas of expertise include travel insurance, as well as utilities and digital products such as energy, broadband and mobile.
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