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Travel during pregnancy: what travel insurance covers
Travelling while pregnant? Learn what travel insurance may cover, common exclusions, airline restrictions, cruise rules and tips for a safer trip.
Travelling while pregnant is often possible, particularly during the second trimester when many people feel their best. However, every pregnancy is different, and airlines, cruise operators and travel insurers all have their own rules around travelling during pregnancy.
While travel insurance can help protect you from unexpected events, pregnancy isn't automatically covered in every situation. Understanding what's included – and what isn't – before you book can help you travel with greater confidence and avoid costly surprises.
Before you travel, speak to your doctor or midwife, check your transport provider's pregnancy policies, and read your travel insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully to understand your level of cover.
Learn what's covered with RACV Travel Insurance when you're expecting.
Can you travel while pregnant?
For most healthy pregnancies, travelling is generally considered safest between 14 and 28 weeks. During the first trimester, morning sickness and fatigue may make travelling less comfortable, while later in pregnancy there is an increased risk of complications and restrictions imposed by airlines and cruise operators.
Before booking your trip, discuss your travel plans with your healthcare provider. They can advise whether it's safe for you to travel based on your stage of pregnancy, medical history and destination.
If you're travelling overseas, consider factors such as:
- access to quality medical care
- local health risks, including infectious diseases
- recommended vaccinations
- availability of maternity services
- how far you'll be from major hospitals.
Before you travel, speak to your doctor and/or midwife and check your travel insurance. Image: Getty
What does travel insurance cover during pregnancy?
Every insurer defines pregnancy cover differently, so always check your policy wording before purchasing insurance.
Comprehensive travel insurance policies may cover pregnancy-related medical emergencies, provided the pregnancy meets certain criteria.
Examples may include:
- how many weeks pregnant you are when purchasing and traveling
- pregnancy complications related to current or previous pregnancies
- whether it's a single or multiple pregnancy - for example twins, triplets, etc.
- childbirth that was accelerated by accidental injury in limited circumstances.
Cover typically applies only if the complication is unforeseen and your pregnancy meets the insurer's eligibility requirements.
Learn what's covered with RACV Travel Insurance when you're expecting.
What is not covered by travel insurance during pregnancy?
Travel insurance generally does not cover:
- regular antenatal care (regular care or doctor’s appointments related to your pregnancy)
- any pregnancy complications that are not accepted by your policy (pregnancy complications may need to be assessed before cover is accepted. Complications that are covered must be listed on your Certificate of Insurance)
- pregnancy complications after your policy's specified gestation cover limit (cover stops after a certain number of weeks of pregnancy; RACV Travel Insurance, for example, doesn't cover pregnancy beyond 25 weeks.±)
- planned births (childbirth is generally only covered if it results from an accident that occurs before the end of your gestation cover limit)
- health and care of the newborn (at any stage of the pregnancy or after giving birth).
Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand the exclusions that apply to your policy.
Up to how many weeks does travel insurance cover pregnancy?
Travel insurance policies will often limit or end their cover for your pregnancy after a certain gestation period (that is, the number of weeks you are pregnant).
RACV Travel Insurance, for example, doesn't cover pregnancy beyond 25 weeks.± For reference, Monash Women’s defines the second trimester as 14 to 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Do you need to declare pregnancy for travel insurance?
Whether pregnancy is covered automatically or requires assessment depends on whether you meet specific requirements. If requirements are not met, an assessment needs to be completed to assess cover.
You will need to apply for cover and complete a medical assessment if you:
- had complications with this or a previous pregnancy (for example, gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia)
- are expecting more than one child (such as twins or triplets)
- have a medical condition that could have an adverse impact on your health.
Failing to disclose relevant medical information could affect a future claim.
Many travel insurance policies have gestational limits. Image: Getty
Airline and cruise restrictions when travelling pregnant
Airline pregnancy rules
Every airline has its own pregnancy policy, and restrictions often depend on how many weeks pregnant you are and whether you're carrying one baby or multiples.
Common airline requirements include:
- medical clearance after a certain stage of pregnancy
- a doctor's certificate confirming your due date and fitness to fly
- restrictions on flying after about 36 weeks if you’re pregnant with one baby and there are no complications.
- earlier restrictions for multiple pregnancies.
International carriers may have different rules from domestic airlines, so check before booking.
Cruise pregnancy restrictions
Cruise lines often have stricter pregnancy policies than airlines.
Many operators do not allow passengers to travel beyond a certain stage of pregnancy because medical facilities onboard may be limited.
Some cruise lines may not let you board if you’ll pass their pregnancy limit at any point during the cruise.
As policies vary significantly, confirm eligibility before booking and ensure your travel insurance policy covers cruising if required.
Country pregnancy restrictions
Some countries will not allow you to travel within their borders if you are pregnant. These countries have very strict rules that could also impact cover for pregnancy, so check before you travel.
Each airline has its own pregnancy policy. Image: Getty
RACV Travel Insurance for pregnancy
Any product information on this page is a summary only. Review each section of the Combined Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) / Financial Services Guide (FSG) for terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, sub-limits, and any general exclusions that apply.
RACV Travel Insurance policies automatically include single non-complicated pregnancies up to the end of the 25th week for:
- unexpected pregnancy complications
- childbirth which was accelerated by accidental injury in limited circumstances.
You will need to apply for cover if you:
- had complications with this or a previous pregnancy (for example, previous high risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, hyperemesis (severe morning sickness), or pre-eclampsia)
- are expecting more than one child (such as twins or triplets)
- have a medical condition that could have an adverse impact on your health.
If you're unsure whether you need to complete a medical assessment for your pregnancy, you can call RACV on 13 13 29 for assistance.
This cover excludes:
- pregnancy from the 26th week of gestation
- pregnancy complications as described above, unless such complications are specifically accepted by RACV and noted on your Certificate of Insurance
- pregnancy complications within the first 48 hours of the policy purchase, unless the trip is booked at the same time of the policy purchase
- childbirth at any stage of pregnancy, unless you give birth prematurely because of an accidental injury that happens before the end of the 25th week of your pregnancy
- the health or care of a newborn child, irrespective of the stage of pregnancy when the child is born
- regular antenatal care.
Learn what's covered with RACV Travel Insurance when you're expecting.
Check whether your travel insurance policy covers pregnancy-related medical complications. Image: Getty
FAQs about pregnancy and travel insurance
Many insurers allow you to purchase travel insurance after becoming pregnant. Your level of cover will depend on your stage of pregnancy, whether your pregnancy is uncomplicated and the insurer's policy terms.
Generally, no. Planned childbirth and routine maternity care are usually excluded from travel insurance policies. Cover could be available if the childbirth was as a result of accident or injury.
Not always. Many policies cover unexpected pregnancy-related complications for uncomplicated pregnancies, but exclusions, gestational limits and eligibility requirements vary between insurers.
Purchasing travel insurance soon after booking may provide access to cancellation benefits if an unexpected covered event occurs before departure. Always check when cancellation cover begins under your chosen policy.
± Pregnancy must meet specific criteria. Cover is included automatically up to the end of the 25th week of your pregnancy for a. single non-complicated pregnancies; b. unexpected pregnancy complications; and c. childbirth which was accelerated by accidental injury in limited circumstances. Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits apply. Refer to Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for full details.
Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Limited (ABN 44 004 060 833, AR No. 1243563) (RACV) is an authorised representative of the RACV Travel Insurance insurer Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548) (Tokio Marine). Tokio Marine Management (Australasia) Pty Ltd (ABN 69 001 488 455, AR No. 1313066) is an authorised representative of Tokio Marine, and administers RACV Travel Insurance as the managing agent on behalf of Tokio Marine. Terms, conditions (including eligibility criteria), exclusions, limits and sub-limits apply. Any advice is general advice only, and does not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation or needs. Before you purchase, please consider the Combined Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) / Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determinations (TMDs) available on RACV’s website, or on request from RACV.
