Why Buy Visitors Insurance When Pregnancy or Childbirth is Not Covered?

Let’s say you’re planning a trip overseas and find out you’re pregnant. You planned on buying visitors insurance for the trip but then found out that it does not cover pregnancy. The obvious question in your mind would be, Why Buy Visitors Insurance When Pregnancy or Childbirth is Not Covered?

Is it still worth buying? The answer is yes. While no short-term visitor medical insurance will cover pregnancy and childbirth, having coverage for emergency accidents and illness is still a good idea. As long as you take care of yourself and see a maternity doctor in your home country before and after travel, there is no reason why you wouldn’t have a successful trip. See the common exclusions in visitor insurance.

Given the list of exclusions is Travel Insurance still worth it? 

Why is Pregnancy Not Covered?

Typically, international health insurance plans are designed to provide coverage for unforeseen sickness, injuries, and accidents while traveling. It is not a cost-effective option for insurance companies to offer coverage for pregnancy and related issues for visitors. The purpose of travel medical insurance plans is to cover any unexpected illness, sickness, or injury that happens after the policy goes into effect. Since people plan to give birth in their home countries, it is not necessary for visitor insurance to cover it. Pregnancy and other maternity-related issues usually fall under the pre-existing medical conditions category. Since visitor insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing medical conditions, it doesn’t cover pregnancy.

Can Pregnancy be considered a Pre-Existing Medical Condition? Read this article on the Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions to know more.

Should You Travel When You’re Pregnant?

Traveling while pregnant is a decision to be made in consultation with your doctor and family. It is not recommended to travel internationally during the third trimester, but the first and second may be fine. Again, if your doctor allows you to travel then you still may. There are safety precautions you can take before you travel for your health and peace of mind:

1. Visit your doctor before you leave – Schedule a sonogram before you leave to make sure everything looks okay to travel.
2. Purchase extra medication from your pharmacy – Any prenatal vitamins, supplements, and prescription medication.
3. Avoid trips to areas with extreme weather or areas with contagious diseases.
4. Avoid strenuous activity that can lead to injury.
5. Travel in the first and second trimesters of your pregnancy; the third trimester, if okayed by your doctor.
6. Be prepared financially in the event of a pregnancy-related incident – since pregnancy is not covered under travel insurance, you need to be ready in case you have to pay out-of-pocket for an emergency.

Should I Buy Visitor Insurance Even If It Doesn’t Cover Pregnancy or Childbirth?

Yes! Even though the policy won’t cover routine OBGYN visits or pregnancy-related medication, you will still be thankful to have emergency coverage for any other illness or accident that could happen. Remember, you are always able to be seen by a doctor or hospital when you need to, but if pregnancy or childbirth is treated while you are traveling, claims could be denied due to it being a pre-existing condition. Purchasing a visitor’s policy will allow you to be treated for illnesses or accidents not related to your pregnancy, which will be beneficial for you and your unborn child.

Finding out you are pregnant shouldn’t delay your travel plans. As long as you are healthy and careful, you can have a great trip without any need for pregnancy coverage overseas. You still should, however, buy a visitor insurance policy. These policies are strictly for unexpected accidents and sudden illnesses. It’s a security blanket if you end up needing one, there for peace of mind while you travel internationally. You will be glad you have it whether you end up using it or not.