Travelling while pregnant can be a bit of a gamble. “When should be your cut off date? What kinds of travel are worse than others for heavily pregnant mothers? Should you risk it if the destination isn’t prepared for or can’t or won’t offer maternity care?” The last worry you would want on top of this is “how much will it cost?” We take a look at the world of travel and pregnancy and see how having travel insurance on holiday is very important when pregnant.
When can and should you travel?
Experts differ as to when you should stop all travel if you are pregnant. To an extent it depends on the type of transport you are taking. Driving isn’t usually a problem, nor is walking unless you are trekking along very strenuous trails (though doing almost anything close to the due date may induce labour). Travelling by ship or train are, similarly, not huge problems. The main type of travel that is unsafe while pregnant is flying. The pressurised environment is arguably bad for the baby the closer to term a woman gets, and may cause complications and possible premature births.
Most airlines, for example British Airways, don’t allow pregnant women past 28 weeks to travel. Others allow you to fly after that with a doctor’s certificate up to 36 weeks and not at all after that, but that can be pushing the limit.
Will my usual travel insurance cover me?
Many companies offer travel insurance up until 28 weeks, depending on the company and the individual case. Most standard travel insurance policies don’t cover pregnancy as a medical condition, and therefore it’s best to check with your holiday insurance provider before you go. Many standard and cheap travel insurance companies will offer top-up pregnancy travel insurance policies, and it’s best to invest in one of those even just for the peace of mind it will bring. It’s also best to check the facilities of the country you are travelling to and what documentation you might need – better to be prepared than be caught short while abroad where there’s little you can do.
Do I only need travel insurance if going by plane?
No. When pregnant you will want to have the extra travel insurance in place even if you are going by train, ship, car or any other transport. This is because the main point of travel insurance whilst you are pregnant is to literally ensure that you can be pregnant and give birth in another country if necessary. Most countries have no national health provision, and health care is paid for on insurance or billed to your account when your procedure is over. Some go as far as not treating you if you are unable to pay for the treatment there and then. The last thing that you want when going into labour is to have someone questioning your financial situation. To make sure that you are covered for any foreign medical expenses, always check that you have travel insurance before booking your holiday.
If you’re about to head off traveling, whether it’s a business trip, a beach bum holiday or a round-the-world no-holds-barred adventure, you need travel insurance. Anything can happen, and often does – looking at the annual statistics showing the thousands of travellers who get into sticky situations. It’s important to know exactly what your travel insurance covers, so you know if you’re getting the right cover for you.
What’s Normally Included
The following areas are normally covered by travel insurance, but it’s important to know to what extent. For example, if you buy certain budget options, you may well be covered for theft of property, but if your laptop is worth $2000, it’s a bit pointless if your policy only covers you up to $500. You should also look at the ‘excess’ – this is the amount you need to pay yourself in the event of a claim, before any payments are made back to you.
o Overseas medical/hospital expenses: The amount you are covered for can differ wildly depending on which policy you opt for. If you have a pre-existing condition, the company should be aware of it, or your cover may be void.
o Overseas emergency medical assistance: As above, if travelling to countries with high healthcare costs, such as the USA, it’s a good idea to have this one marked ‘unlimited’.
o Luggage/Personal Effects: Consider the figure given for this – if you are travelling with particularly expensive equipment, it should be covered. This also covers travel documents.
o Accidental Death: Arguably benefiting your loved ones more than you, but worth considering.
o Permanent Disability: Most policies cover this.
o Delayed Luggage Allowance: If your clothes arrive a week after you, you might need some fresh ones.
o Personal Liability: If you cause an accident, you’ll need to pay damages.
o Cash: Cover for money stolen from your person.
o Cancellation Fees and Lost Deposits: If for any (good) reason you are forced to cancel or delay your trip, such as illness or poor weather.
o Alternative Transport Expenses: such as in the event of flight cancellation
o Additional Expenses: a whole range of unforeseen circumstances can lead to you incurring extra costs.
o Hijacking: An unlikely one, but expensive policies often cover for this. If you’re not worried, don’t fork out for it.
o Loss of Injury: Again, some more expensive policies will cover you if you sustain an injury overseas and cannot work upon returning to Australia.
o Travel Services Provider Insolvency: In the unlikely event of your airline going bust before you have a chance to board, some policies will have you covered.
Top 5 things to look out for when choosing travel insurance
Many people find it a pain buying insurance, but make sure you don’t get caught out!
1. Ensure that if you’re likely to do a dangerous activity, such as paragliding or scuba diving, that you check if you’re covered for it – many insurance companies hate such activities as they cost them too much money.
2. Make sure that you have enough cover. Medical costs can be huge in certain countries, while budget insurance deals can leave you paying for half of your stolen camera despite being covered. If you’re carrying a lot of expensive gear, make sure you’re covered for all of it. Also, check what the excess is. If you have to pay $100 and your MP3 player that accidentally went scuba diving with you was five years old already, think twice.
3. Do you have existing medical conditions? You might not be covered – so own up before to make sure.
4. Other general exclusions include acts of war, loss of property due to extreme carelessness, or self-inflicted injury.
5. And finally, make sure you are covered for the full duration of your trip – a common error is to get international dates mixed up – just because your Sydney-bound flight leaves L.A. on the 14th, doesn’t mean it’s still the 14th when you arrive! Last minute bungles do happen!
So you want to leave the homeland for a while, see the sights, take the pictures, or perhaps, do some business. You’ve packed the swimming trunks, the extra layers, the hiking boots, the sun screen, but the question remains: is your medical insurance traveling with you? What happens if you get to Brazil like you always wanted to, and then, in a freak spilled mojito accident, you break your ankle? What if the escargot from that charming Parisian restaurant reacts badly with your American digestive system, and you are suddenly in the throes of the worst food poisoning you’ve experienced in your life? It is no small matter; according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one half of US travelers heading to another country will experience some sort of health problem while abroad.
Ever since the Michael Moore film, “Sicko,” came out, we all know that many other countries (well, specifically France, Canada, and Cuba) provide affordable, sometimes free, healthcare to their citizens, but how does it work for us, Americans, abroad? Well, the truth is, unless you make special preparations, the outlook is not good. According to World Wide Medical.Com website, “most US insurance companies, HMOs, PPOs or Medicare [plans] do not provide adequate medical insurance.” There may be exceptions, and you should look into the fine print of your plan, but every major US health insurance providers suggests getting some form of traveler’s insurance. Unfortunately, there is no foreign country that provides free health care for travelers.
Travel insurance plans provide three types of coverage: for medical care when abroad, the cost of emergency medical evacuation, and reimbursement for sudden trip cancellations and lost luggage.
Should you require medical attention while abroad, most insurance companies provide support in the form of emergency hotlines. They will advise you on the best hospitals in the area, as well as the ins and outs of the local systems. It is strongly advised that, if possible, you consult your provider before seeking medical attention in a foreign land. Also, insurance providers warn that most third world countries’ hospital systems require payment upfront for services rendered. This fee would be reimbursed by the plan.
The most pressing concern is the case of an emergency medical evacuation from a foreign country back to the US. Evacuations are necessary when a very serious medical condition arises, and the traveler/patient must be transported back to the care of his/her primary care physician or a home-based expert. This can cost upwards of $10,000 as it is a coordinated effort between several hospitals and at least one airline. Most travel insurance plans provide the option for specific coverage for this contingency.
Another aspect to consider when travelling abroad, is the cost of sudden cancellations, or changes in travel plans as a result of medical or other emergencies. In an era when airline companies are logging record numbers of lost luggage, this aspect of travelers insurance provides reimbursement for the purchase of clothes and other necessities. In this sense, you could come out a winner: imagine an ‘emergency’ shopping trip at the fabulous designer stores of Milan.
So, whether you are planning a road trip to Canada, or a fourteen day hike in Machu Pichu, pack some warm socks, swim trunks, and your new friend, Mr. Traveler’s Insurance.