Travel Insurance And Pregnancy – Dos And Dont’s

Many women make travel plans after they become pregnant, as they know that after the baby is born they will not have the time to travel. However, it is advisable to take the precautions and not take unnecessary risks, which would harm the unborn child and the mother too. Travel insurance at any time is necessary, but travel insurance and pregnancy is a completely new ball game.Travel insurance will cover some of the risks involved in travelling during pregnancy. Though most people nowadays are quite casual about travelling during pregnancy, there are some risks involved. Insurance companies, in general, offer cover until the 28th week of pregnancy, but after that time, there are a few insurance companies which offer insurance cover. The premium on insurance during pregnancy is often more than what is payable on other insurance policies.So what makes it different from other insurance covers? Almost all insurance companies classify travel during pregnancy as a high-risk cover. The main reason for the high-risk classification is that a pregnant woman is more likely to pick up some infection or develop some other complication which will need medical help. Sometimes, medical repatriation may also be required. That is why many of the general travel policies are clear that the woman returns to base at least eight weeks before the baby is due. If this criterion cannot be fulfilled, travel insurance cannot be availed.Here are some points to remember about travel insurance and pregnancy.1. Most of the insurance companies, which offer travel cover don’t cover pregnancy, as a general medical condition. You would have to check with your insurance company and find out what has to be done. Most of these companies offer travel insurance during pregnancy as an addition to the existing policy.2. Travel insurance is very necessary, whatever mode of transport you choose.3. If you are flying, make sure you inform the airline at the time of booking. Some airlines ask for a fitness certificate from the doctor, while some others will not issue tickets to women with medical conditions such as venous blood clots or who have a history of premature birth.4. Make sure that the travel insurance covers the newborn, in the instance of a delivery on board.When you think about travel insurance and pregnancy, there are some limitations which you have to consider.1. Most insurance companies do not offer cover for multiple pregnancies.2. Many policies will not cover any complication during travel, if the woman has conceived with the help of fertility drugs or In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).3. If the woman has had medical problems during pregnancy, then it may not be possible to get cover.4. If the woman has a history of complications during conception, pregnancy or delivery, insurance cover may be denied.5. There will often be no cover available after the eighth month of pregnancy.Most importantly, remember that travel policies do not usually cover a full term birth.

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