In the last decade, "babymoons" have increasingly become the norm, as expectant couples enjoy one last getaway together before their bundle of joy arrives. It's important to understand the limitations of travel insurance before travelling while expecting or in the weeks immediately following the birth of a child. This article is based on a recent blog post by TuGo, our preferred travel provider.
Expectant parents have the added pressures of weighing their desire to travel against safety concerns in light of news relating to premature births that occur outside of Canada.
1. Review your babymoon travel insurance policy’s terms and conditions
Terms and conditions are standard among Canadian insurance companies, so it’s important to review and understand your travel insurance policy—its benefits, covered risks and exclusions—before leaving on your pre-baby vacation.
For example, under TuGo’s Traveller Emergency Medical Insurance, you’ll be covered for emergency medical expenses for pregnancy, delivery and any related complications, as long as these expenses do not arise within 9 weeks before your expected delivery date or within the 9 weeks after.
2. What’s covered for premature birth by travel insurance
Going into premature labour would be terrifying in any situation; but being far away from the comforts of home, your trusted birthing team and hospital will likely exacerbate the stress of the situation.
Your travel insurance provider will want the best for you and your baby, doing what can be done to alleviate those concerns by ensuring both of you are the priority in this unfortunate circumstance. So, with that in mind, if you go into labour while abroad, do what’s needed to get to the hospital safely. Then, contact your travel insurance provider as soon as you can. They’ll ensure your care and treatment is coordinated.
In this scenario, under TuGo's Traveller policy, you would be covered for the medical expenses of the premature birth (again, as long as the birth does not occur within the 9 weeks before your expected delivery date or within the 9 weeks after). TuGo covers up to $25,000 for medical expenses incurred by your newborn child following the unexpected birth. Coverage ends for the newborn upon release from the hospital or when the maximum limit has been reached, whichever first occurs. Keep in mind that the cost of caring for a premature baby in the US could exceed $1,000,000.
3. What’s covered during pregnancy not related to premature birth
Coverage may be provided under Emergency Medical Insurance exactly as it would if you weren’t pregnant (keeping in mind any stability requirement for other pre-existing condition limitations).
Expenses that arise from an unexpected medical emergency not related to pregnancy, such as COVID-19, food poisoning or a broken ankle, would be covered. However, it’s important to note that routine pre-natal (or post-natal) care isn’t considered a travel medical emergency eligible for coverage.
4. Pre-existing medical conditions related to pregnancy can impact coverage
A pregnancy complication that exists before leaving on your trip, such as gestational diabetes, is considered a pre-existing medical condition. This means that treatment of the complication while travelling will only be covered if pre-existing medical condition stability requirements have been met. Stability requirements can vary per policy, and it’s important to understand how an unstable pre-existing medical condition can impact a claim, if you have to make one.
5. Trip Cancellation Insurance has benefits for expectant couples planning travel
If you purchased Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance but found out you were pregnant after the date the trip was booked or after the date the insurance was purchased (whichever occurs later), and your trip was scheduled to take place within 9 weeks before or after the expected date of delivery, you may be covered if you chose to cancel your trip. You may also be covered if you needed to cancel your trip due to complications within the first 31 weeks of your pregnancy.
Trip cancellation in the event of an adoption
If you purchased Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption Insurance after you booked your trip and was then notified that the legal adoption of your child was scheduled to take place during your trip , you would be covered if you chose to cancel your trip.
Carefully reviewing your travel insurance is always important, and extra care needs to be taken if you plan to travel while pregnant.
Contact us for assistance with emergency medical coverage, trip interruption and cancellation coverage, and more.