Pregnancy travel insurance

Can I get travel insurance if I'm pregnant?

Yes, travel insurance companies will still cover you if you're pregnant. It shouldn't be any harder to find cover than if you weren't pregnant. It also shouldn't affect the price you pay for travel insurance. Single-trip travel insurance starts from £2.80*. Multi-trip is usually slightly more expensive, starting from £10.85*.

It's worth thinking about what stage of pregnancy you'll be at when you're away. Some insurers won't cover you if you're more than 28 weeks pregnant. Others will insure you further into your pregnancy, but most are unlikely to provide cover after 37 weeks (or 32 if you're expecting twins). This is because your chance of giving birth while travelling increases after this point. You're also unlikely to be covered for planned labour and birth.

Just make sure you follow travel advice and read all policy documents to ensure you're covered in case the unexpected happens.

*The cheapest price for a single-trip travel insurance policy. Based on a 30-year-old with no previous medical conditions travelling to Spain for 3 nights. Confused.com data - August 2024

*The cheapest price for a European annual travel insurance policy. Based on a 30-year-old with no previous medical conditions. Confused.com data - August 2024.

Do I need pregnancy travel insurance if I have an EHIC or GHIC card?

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - and its replacement, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) - aren't a substitute for travel insurance.

These cards allow you to access state-level healthcare for the same price a local citizen would pay. So, depending on where you're travelling you might still have to pay for any medical treatment you get. A travel insurance policy covers additional costs.

Travel insurance also covers more than just medical costs. Buying a policy as soon as you book your trip means you're covered for things like lost or stolen luggage and flight cancellations, even in the lead-up to your trip. Although most travel insurance policies won't cover cancellations due to pregnancy alone, some will cover cancellations if you can't travel due to pregnancy complications.

Is it safe to fly when pregnant?

Current NHS advice doesn't advise against flying while pregnant. If you take the proper precautions, it should be safe. But it's worth speaking to your doctor or midwife before you travel.

The first 12 weeks of pregnancy can be associated with nausea, vomiting, tiredness and a higher risk of miscarriage. This may mean you want to avoid travelling during this time.

Travelling towards the end of your pregnancy is generally riskier too. The chances of going into labour increase at around 37 weeks, or 32 weeks if you're expecting twins. Even if you can find an insurance policy to cover you past 28 weeks, many airlines won't allow you to travel once you're more than 29 weeks pregnant. If they do, they may ask for a letter from your doctor or midwife confirming you're safe to travel.