Planning a trip while pregnant — whether it’s a relaxing babymoon, a family visit, or a business trip — can be exciting, but it also requires extra care. One of the most important (and often overlooked) steps is finding the right travel insurance for pregnancy.
Standard travel insurance policies often do not cover pregnancy-related issues. If you’re expecting, it’s critical to understand what is and isn’t covered, especially if unexpected complications arise. This guide will help you understand pregnancy-specific travel insurance coverage, limitations, and how to choose the right policy.
Why You Need Travel Insurance While Pregnant
Traveling while pregnant presents unique risks that aren’t always covered by basic insurance. Here’s why dedicated or pregnancy-aware travel insurance matters:
- Sudden pregnancy complications: e.g., pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes issues, premature labor.
- Changes in your health: severe fatigue, nausea, or other symptoms that make travel impossible.
- Unexpected medical attention: needing urgent care away from home.
- Trip cancellation: if your doctor advises against traveling after you’ve already booked.
Most national healthcare systems (like Canada’s provincial plans) do not cover medical expenses abroad, making travel insurance especially important.
🌍 Pregnancy and Travel Warnings: If you’re heading to tropical regions, be aware of infectious disease risks like Zika virus, which can pose serious risks to unborn babies. Always check travel advisories before booking.
What Does Travel Insurance for Pregnancy Actually Cover?
What’s NOT Covered
- Routine prenatal checkups
- Elective or planned childbirth abroad
- Normal, uncomplicated pregnancy symptoms (e.g., morning sickness)
What IS Typically Covered (Varies by Provider)
- Medical emergencies due to unexpected pregnancy complications during the trip
- Emergency evacuation if medically necessary
- Trip cancellation/interruption due to serious complications (with a doctor’s documentation)
- Unexpected premature birth before a certain gestational age (e.g., before 28–32 weeks), depending on the policy
Note: Coverage for pregnancy is only available if the pregnancy is considered normal and not high-risk at the time of purchase.
The “Weeks of Gestation” Rule
Most travel insurance policies will only cover pregnancy complications up to 28–32 weeks gestation.
Common Cutoffs:
- 28 weeks
- 30 weeks
- 32 weeks
Why? Medical risk increases later in pregnancy, and insurers often exclude coverage in the third trimester.
Actionable Tip: Always verify the gestational cutoff before booking travel or purchasing insurance. Also, check airline rules for flying while pregnant, which can also restrict travel after 28–36 weeks.
How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance for Pregnancy (2025)
✅ Key Features to Look For:
- Clear language around “pregnancy complications” and “medical emergencies”
- Sufficient medical expense limits, especially for international travel
- Trip cancellation/interruption for pregnancy complications (not just general illness)
- Emergency evacuation coverage
- Pre-existing condition clauses (some may apply to pregnancy-related conditions)
✅ Smart Steps:
- Always declare your pregnancy and health history when applying.
- Compare multiple providers and read the full policy wording.
- Don’t hesitate to call the insurer and ask about specific pregnancy coverage questions.
💊 Tip: If you’re pregnant and traveling, it’s also smart to prepare a personal medication travel kit that includes pregnancy-safe options for nausea, pain, and common issues like constipation or colds.
Pregnancy Travel Insurance for Canadians 🇨🇦
Canadian travelers who are pregnant can get travel insurance, but coverage varies significantly by provider and gestational age.
Typical Coverage Details:
| Feature | Typical Coverage for Canadians |
|---|---|
| Routine prenatal care | Not covered |
| Emergency complications | Covered up to 28–32 weeks |
| Trip cancellation (complications) | Possibly covered with documentation |
| Medical evacuation | Covered for emergencies only |
| Coverage after 28 weeks | Usually not covered |
| Planned delivery | Never covered |
Allianz Global Assistance – Pregnancy Travel Coverage
- ✅ Emergency complications covered until 31 weeks gestation.
- ❌ Routine prenatal care not covered.
- ✅ Trip cancellation covered only if pregnancy was unknown at the time of purchase.
- ❌ Planned delivery is not covered.
- ⚠️ Excludes many common pregnancy complications (pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, etc.).
- 🌍 Allianz Website
- 📄 Official policy wording (PDF) – reviewed April 2025
Manulife – Pregnancy Travel Coverage
- ✅ Covers emergency complications up to 9 weeks before or after the due date.
- ❌ Routine prenatal care is not included.
- ✅ Trip cancellation allowed only if pregnancy was unknown when buying the policy.
- ❌ Planned delivery is not covered.
- 🌍 Manulife Website
- 📄 Manulife Travel Insurance – Policy Details
TuGo – Pregnancy Travel Coverage
- ✅ Emergency complications covered until 31 weeks gestation (or 9 weeks before/after EDD).
- ✅ Offers up to $25,000 for newborn medical expenses if birth is unexpected.
- ❌ No routine prenatal care.
- ✅ Trip cancellation possible if pregnancy is discovered after policy purchase.
- ❌ Planned delivery not covered.
- 🌍 TuGo Website
- 📄 TuGo Full Policy (PDF)
Key Considerations:
- Eligibility: Most insurers only cover low-risk pregnancies.
- Documentation: Proof from a doctor is usually required for cancellations or claims.
- Limitations: No provider covers planned delivery abroad.
Be sure to check:
- Maximum gestational age covered
- Definition of “emergency pregnancy complication”
- Pre-existing condition clauses
Special Situations (Optional Section)
Travel Insurance After 28 Weeks Pregnant
Very few insurers will cover any pregnancy-related issue after 28–32 weeks. If you’re traveling late in pregnancy, you’ll need to:
- Accept that pregnancy-related events are excluded
- Confirm airline requirements
- Prepare for out-of-pocket medical expenses if needed
Pregnancy Cancellation-Only Policies
Some travelers may want policies that provide trip cancellation coverage without medical coverage. These trip cancellation-only policies are widely available and can be a good option for those who already have medical coverage (such as through their health insurance or credit card benefits) but want protection in case pregnancy complications (or other issues) force them to cancel their trip.
These types of policies cover scenarios like:
- Trip cancellation due to unexpected pregnancy complications.
- Trip interruption if complications arise after departure.
However, keep in mind that they do not include emergency medical coverage or cover any pregnancy-related emergencies during the trip. For a more comprehensive plan, look for options that combine cancellation coverage with emergency medical benefits.
You can often purchase non-medical trip cancellation plans directly from major travel insurers like Manulife, TuGo, and Allianz or through brokers.
Domestic vs. International Coverage
Even if traveling within your home country, consider insurance if you’re:
- Far from your regular hospital or support network
- At risk of out-of-pocket ambulance or evacuation fees
🌐 Long-Term Travel or Working Remotely While Pregnant?
If you’re not just going on a short trip but living abroad or working remotely, you may need broader coverage. Check out our digital nomad insurance guide for options that include long-term international health plans with pregnancy-related coverage.
Conclusion
Traveling while pregnant can be a joyful experience — but also brings unique risks. Choosing the right travel insurance gives you peace of mind and financial protection.
To recap:
- Standard policies usually exclude pregnancy.
- Coverage is possible for emergencies up to 28–32 weeks.
- Planned deliveries and routine care are not covered.
🍼 Before booking your babymoon or any trip, take the time to:
- Read the full insurance policy
- Confirm gestational limits
- Compare providers
- Ask direct questions to your insurer
Your future self — and your baby — will thank you for planning ahead.
🤰 FAQ: Travel Insurance for Pregnancy (2025)
Yes — but only unexpected complications are usually covered, such as premature labor, pre-eclampsia, or other emergencies. Routine prenatal care, planned delivery, and normal pregnancy symptoms (like morning sickness) are typically not covered.
Most travel insurance policies cover pregnancy-related emergencies only up to 28–32 weeks of gestation, depending on the provider. After that, coverage is often excluded due to increased medical risk.
Yes. Many insurers will cover you if your pregnancy is considered normal and low-risk at the time of purchase. You must usually buy the policy before any complications arise. Be honest about your condition when applying.
Only if the pregnancy leads to unexpected complications, and your doctor advises against travel. Some policies may also cover cancellation if you discover the pregnancy after booking and can no longer travel.
Yes — most insurers classify pregnancy as a pre-existing condition. However, coverage is still possible for new complications that were not present at the time you bought the policy.
No. Planned delivery abroad is not covered by any standard travel insurance. Emergency delivery may be partially covered if it happens unexpectedly and before a certain gestational week.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance or medical advice. Always consult with your insurer and healthcare provider before traveling while pregnant.