Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 08:30 - 19:00 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
18 March 2011 09:19
Profile of a pregnant woman
Many pregnant women take the opportunity for one last nappy free holiday before their baby is born. To avoid disappointment travel insurance specialist World First Travel Insurance advises mums-to-be not to leave it too late.
By the time you are 27 weeks pregnant, travelling gets a lot more complicated with many travel insurers reluctant to give cover. But pregnancy travel insurance is well worth getting if you weigh it up against the costs you might incur if you have to cancel your trip because of your pregnancy or need visit a foreign hospital for medical treatment during your holiday.
Martin Rothwell, Managing Partner of World First Travel Insurance says, "As travel insurance specialists we offer expert guidance to ensure World First policies provide great cover for mums-to-be during the full term of their pregnancy and for a range of circumstances that can arise from pregnancy."
World First Travel Insurance offers the following advice: As pregnant women are considered relatively high risk, generally most insurers will offer cover providing you return from your trip at least eight weeks before your due date. However, some insurers have an even lower threshold and won’t insure for pregnancy related incidents beyond 26 or 27 weeks. World First travel insurance will cover you to travel at all stages of pregnancy so long as there have been no complications with the current or any previous pregnancy and you are allowed to board your flight. If you are used to travelling frequently and already have an annual travel insurance policy, you should check the terms of the policy and call your insurer to advise them of your change in circumstances.
Most airlines are happy to carry pregnant women up to 26 or 27 weeks of pregnancy. After that, when the risk of going into labour increases, they may require a letter from your doctor stating you are fit to travel and confirming your due date. But each airline has its own set of rules and a cut off point, so it's important to tell your booking agent that you are pregnant and how far along you are. And remember that you will need to make sure your trip ends within the permitted timescales. If you are booking with an agent they will be able to make sure your chosen airline will allow you to fly. If you are booking online, check the airline's website, as most mention pregnancy.
Travel insurance policies generally exclude all claims under the policy if you are denied boarding for any reason including pregnancy and most other pre-existing medical conditions. Martin warns, "The most frequent problem we encounter is women planning or travelling after the deadline provided by the airline; they can find themselves being turned away at the airport and stranded. If that is outside of the EHIC reciprocal area it could prove to be financially catastrophic as the cost of confinement in a private hospital in Turkey for example is going to be little short of £10000."
When you go on a package holiday a charter flight is usually included in the price. It's not always obvious which airline is being used. Discuss your pregnancy with your holiday company so they can advise you about the airline and the regulations it has in place. Regardless of the guidance obtained, it is always worth obtaining a letter confirming you are fit to fly from your Doctor of Mid Wife and if you are travelling in the later stages, take your baby bag on holiday with you just in case junior decides to join you whilst on holiday.
04 February 2020
Kite Flying Day falls on 8th February. What better time is there to plan your next trip through the skies?
[more...]
10 February 2020
With Ferris Wheel Day on 14th February, there's never been a better excuse to enjoy a foreign skyline.
Looking for a Valentine's getaway but want to avoid the clichés? Try one these alternative romantic destinations...
27 January 2020
With ancient architecture and marble marvels at every turn, there are plenty of reasons to get onside with our plans away from the rugby in Rome.
Squeeze some time in between the scrums for Dublin's best sights.
21 January 2020
With a certain tennis tournament underway in Melbourne, it's the perfect time to see what other fantastic attractions this city serves up.
As a new year begins we ask what it means to be a European Capital of Culture.
There's no better time to visit Rijeka, as the Croatian city celebrates European Capital of Culture status.
Plan your Irish itinerary around Galway's Capital of Culture highlights.
06 January 2020
Looking for some inspiration for your next holiday destination? Here's a list of our favourite destinations for 2020.
Get the most out of your 2020 getaway with our top holiday planning tips.
Discover a new passion this winter with one of these alternative winter sports.