Travel insurance for pregnancy

Cruises are a popular choice for travellers planning a pregnancy-friendly holiday or a babymoon. If your travel plans include cruising, you can choose to add cruise cover to your travel insurance policy for additional cover in case of unexpected emergencies on board the ship or during onshore excursions where the cruise operator may not provide support. ^ 

If you are travelling on a cruise ship and wish to be covered for it, you must specify cruise cover at the time of purchase based on your destination and length of your cruise trip: 

• If you are travelling within Australian waters, the New Zealand or the South Pacific region for 1night or more, you must specify cruise cover at the time of purchase  
• If you are travelling on a cruise within Asia, Europe or Worldwide regions for 4 nights or more, you must specify cruise cover at the time of purchase.  

By adding this option, your existing travel insurance benefits will extend to when you’re on a cruise, whether it’s a domestic or international voyage. Adding cruise cover to your policy allows you to have cover both on board and on land, helping you stay covered throughout your entire trip. ^ 

For more details, visit our page on travel insurance for cruises and read our PDS for terms and conditions of cover for travelling on cruise ships.  

Many travellers who are pregnant may prefer the flexibility and comfort of hiring a car while travelling. Renting a vehicle allows you to travel at your own pace and reduce reliance on public transport. 

If your rental vehicle is in an accident, damaged or stolen during your trip overseas, Fast Cover can, depending on the policy chosen, and on payment of additional premium provide reasonable additional cover of up to $8,000 for the rental vehicle excess component of your rental vehicle insurance with your car hire company overseas.^   

Rental Vehicle Excess Benefit is an optional add-on for international policies. It is already included in Domestic Plus policy with a limit of up to $5000. 

The rental vehicle excess benefit applies to a:   

• Sedan, hatchback, or station wagon,      
• Four-wheel drive or minibus/people mover, or   
• Campervan or motorhome (up to 4.5 tonnes),    

rented from a licensed motor vehicle rental company (including vehicles rented from peer-to-peer carsharing platforms). ^   

For more details visit our page on rental vehicle excess cover and read our PDS for terms and conditions of cover for rental vehicle excess.    

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Are you travelling with high value items and worried they will get lost, stolen or damaged? If you would like to cover your valuable items for more than what they’re covered for under the included luggage and personal effects item limits, terms and conditions, you can choose to specify them as a specified high value item for an additional premium. ^

Below are some examples of items you may be able to specify as high value items, they will be specifically listed on your certificate of insurance to confirm cover. 

• Phone   
• Laptop  
• Camera   

For more details visit our page on travel insurance for luggage and personal effects and read our PDS on terms and conditions of cover for luggage and personal effects.   

Planning on visiting the snow? Unexpected events at the snow can snowball into costly expenses. If you or your travel companion/s listed on the Certificate of Insurance are planning to ski or snowboard overseas, answer yes to ‘Skiing or Snowboarding’ during your quote application. This gives you the option to purchase a “Snow Sports Plus Policy” which can provide cover for costs associated with ski and snow sports. ^ 

Below are some examples of things that may be covered in your snow sports benefits: 

• loss or theft of, or accidental damage to snow sports equipment, 
• for hiring replacement snow sports equipment that is necessary to continue with your original itinerary if snow sports equipment owned by you has been misdirected or delayed for a period of more than 24-hours, or has been accidentally damaged, lost or stolen during your trip, 
• if you are injured or become sick during your trip and are unable to utilise the full duration of your pre-booked and pre-paid lift passes, snow sports equipment hire, or lessons, we will reimburse you the percentage amount of the unused portion for each insured person, and 
• the cost of transport and lift passes at an alternate ski resort,  

in conditions and circumstances covered under your policy and as per limits and sub limits set out in our PDS. ^  

The Snow Sports Plus policy is available at an additional premium for Aussie travellers aged 69 and under at the date of policy issue, when they purchase an international travel insurance policy. ^  

For more details visit our page on travel insurance for skiing and snowboarding and read our PDS for terms and conditions of cover for Snow Sports.  

Some pregnant travellers and their travel companions listed on the Certificate of Insurance may choose to participate in adventure activities while travelling. We encourage pregnant travellers to seek medical advice from their doctor before participating in any adventure activities. If your trip includes adventure activities, Fast Cover’s Adventure Pack gives you the option to include cover for a wider range of activities, provided they are undertaken in accordance with policy conditions. ^

Examples of some activities that require the Adventure Pack include:   

• Abseiling   
• Outdoor rock climbing   
• Quad biking   
• Tandem parachuting and tandem skydiving   
• Sailing from 10 -15 nautical miles off any land mass    
• Scuba diving up to a depth of 30 m   
• Water skiing, jet skiing, and speedboating    

Conditions apply for activities under our Adventure Pack so make sure to read the PDS for full T&Cs.   

The Adventure Pack is available at an additional premium as an optional cover for Aussie travellers aged 74 and under (at the date of policy issue) when they purchase a Comprehensive, Standard Saver, Snow Sports Plus, Domestic Plus or Frequent Traveller Saver policy. ^   

For more details, visit our page on travel insurance for adventure activities.    

In some destinations, travelling by scooter or motorcycle is a common way to get around, particularly for short distances. Some pregnant travellers and their travel companions listed on the Certificate of Insurance may choose to be the rider or a passenger on a motorcycle, moped or scooter overseas. Fast Cover’s Motorcycle Pack is an optional extra that you can add to your travel insurance policy that may provide cover to you for being the rider or passenger on a:  

• Motorcycle,    
• Moped, or   
• Scooter. ^   

The Motorcycle Pack is available at an additional premium for Aussie travellers aged 74 years and under at the date of policy issue when they purchase an international travel insurance policy. ^   

For more details visit our page on travel insurance for riding a motorcycle overseas and read our PDS for terms and conditions of cover for the Motorcycle Pack.

A pregnancy condition means you are pregnant and any of the following circumstances apply to you:

• You are experiencing complications with the pregnancy that fall within the definition of complications of pregnancy and childbirth listed in our PDS
• You experienced complications with any previous pregnancy that fall within the definition of complications of pregnancy and childbirth in our PDS
• You are having multiple children (e.g. twins, triplets or more), or
• Your conception was medically assisted (e.g. hormone therapy or IVF).

It’s important that you declare all relevant medical or pregnancy conditions when you apply for a quote. If your condition is approved through the medical screening process, it will be listed on your Certificate of Insurance and will then be included under your cover.

Please keep in mind that some existing medical conditions may require you to pay an additional cost for them to be included under your cover. You have the choice to either pay for this additional cost or not. If you choose to pay, the condition will be added to your policy and shown on your Certificate of Insurance. If you choose not to pay, that condition will not be covered and will still show on your Certificate of Insurance as not covered.

Any relevant medical or pregnancy condition that is not declared or not listed on your Certificate of Insurance will not be covered.

If your health changes after purchasing your policy but before you travel, you will need to contact Fast Cover for a medical re-screening. This process may adjust your premium and will determine whether your condition can continue to be covered.

Pregnancy often means booking travel well in advance, whether it’s a babymoon, a family visit, or a planned holiday before your due date. Pregnancy can be unpredictable, and your doctor may advise against travel closer to your departure date due to an unexpected pregnancy condition or medical condition.

Flights, accommodation and tours are often paid for upfront and may be non-refundable. If you need to cancel your trip due to a covered pregnancy-related complication or another event covered under your policy, travel insurance may help reimburse your non-refundable, pre-paid trip bookings such as flights, accommodation or tours.

Many Australian travellers wonder how pregnancy is treated under travel insurance and whether pregnancy-related conditions will be covered while travelling overseas. Not having clarity around this can be stressful, especially when planning a trip during pregnancy.

With Fast Cover, you can check whether pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions may be covered under your policy. Depending on your circumstances, a medical screening may be required so we can assess your situation and confirm whether cover applies. This cover is subject to any conditions or exclusions that may apply.

In some cases, an additional premium may be required if cover is offered following a medical screening. This process helps ensure you understand what pregnancy-related cover may apply, including any limits or exclusions, before you travel.

While many pregnancies progress without issue, complications can arise unexpectedly. If you experience an unexpected pregnancy-related complication while travelling that is covered under your policy which occurs within the covered weeks of gestation, Fast Cover’s international travel insurance policies may include access to:

• Overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses
• Overseas 24/7 emergency medical assistance
• Emergency medical evacuation or repatriation when pre-approved

Please note, our policies do not cover routine antenatal care or childbirth outside the circumstances set out in the PDS, so understanding these limits is important.

Travel delays caused by severe weather, strike or other unexpected events can be more challenging when you’re pregnant. Delays may mean additional accommodation, meals or transport costs.

Travel insurance may include benefits for travel delays or disruptions caused by events covered under your policy, helping with reasonable additional expenses while you wait for your journey to continue.

When travelling during pregnancy, losing luggage or personal items can cause added inconvenience. Consider if your travel insurance includes cover for luggage and personal effects if they’re lost, stolen or accidentally damaged during your trip and any applicable benefit limits, exclusions and conditions that may apply. This can be particularly helpful if you’re travelling with pregnancy related items such as maternity clothing, or a pregnancy support pillow or a TENS machine.

Before you decide whether you need travel insurance for pregnancy for your trip, you should read the PDS to check what our travel insurance will and won’t cover you for, any conditions and exclusions that might apply to you and whether the policy provides the cover that you’re looking for. Any advice is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. 

When comparing pregnancy travel insurance options, consider the level of cover available and the benefit limits provided under each policy. Always check what pregnancy-related conditions and complications may be covered, what exclusions apply, and how cover applies to your week of gestation and type of pregnancy.

Fast Cover offers several levels of cover so you can choose a policy that suits your trip, from an overseas medical-only Basics policy to Comprehensive cover with a wider range of benefits covering more unexpected situations while travelling.

Travel insurance for pregnancy typically provides cover for a list of complications of pregnancy and childbirth up to the end of a specified week of pregnancy with single child and twins or multiple children.

When comparing policies, check how pregnancy week limits are defined and consider how close your travel dates are to those limits. Understanding this upfront can help you decide whether a policy is suitable for your travel plans.

Under Fast Cover’s PDS, cover for unexpected serious complications of pregnancy and childbirth apply:

• Up to the end of the 23rd week of pregnancy if You are pregnant with a single child; or
• Up to the end of the 19th week of pregnancy if You are pregnant with twins or multiple children.

Pregnancy and certain pregnancy-related circumstances may be treated as a pregnancy condition under travel insurance. This can include multiple pregnancies or pregnancies resulting from medically assisted conception.

When comparing pregnancy travel insurance policies, consider whether the insurer allows you to declare pregnancy conditions and apply for cover by doing a medical screening. With Fast Cover, you can complete a medical screening during your quote application to tell us about any pregnancy conditions or other existing medical conditions that may affect your cover.

Many pregnant travellers prioritise access to medical support when travelling, especially overseas. An unexpected medical issue can be stressful in an unfamiliar healthcare system where costs may be high or where payment is required upfront.

When comparing travel insurance for pregnancy, consider whether the policy includes 24/7 emergency medical assistance. Having access to an Australian-based emergency assistance team can help coordinate medical care, hospital admission or approved evacuation if needed.

With Fast Cover, travellers have access to our Aussie-based 24/7 Emergency Assistance team if an unexpected medical emergency occurs while overseas.

While many pregnant travellers choose to avoid more physically demanding or adventurous activities, it’s important to consider whether your travel companions will be participating in any activities that may require adding an optional extra to your policy to ensure everyone on the Certificate of Insurance has cover for activities that may require an additional premium.

For example, if you’re travelling with a friend on a Duo policy or with your partner and children on a Family policy who will be participating in an adventure activity, consider adding our Adventure Pack to ensure everyone has cover.

When comparing travel insurance for pregnancy, consider whether your policy automatically covers the activities you plan to do or whether optional add-ons are required. Some activities may require an additional premium and must not be undertaken against medical advice.

These are just some of the factors you might wish to consider when choosing the best travel insurance for pregnancy, so you know what cover is available to you before and during your trip and under what conditions.

Before you decide on the best pregnancy travel insurance for your trip, you should read the PDS to check what the policy will and won’t cover you for, any conditions and exclusions that might apply to you and whether the policy provides the cover that you’re looking for. Any advice is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, medical or financial situation or needs. 

Fast Cover only provides cover for unexpected serious complications of pregnancy and childbirth up to specific gestation limits. 

Cover is not available if pregnancy-related complications occur: 

• After the end of the 23rd week of gestation for a single pregnancy, or 
• After the end of the 19th week of gestation for multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets. 

Any pregnancy-related claims arising after these gestation limits are not covered under the policy. 

If you travel against the advice of a qualified medical practitioner, any claims arising from that decision are not covered. This includes situations where you have been advised not to travel due to pregnancy-related risks or complications.

Pregnancy-related conditions that were known, diagnosed or symptomatic before you purchased your policy or before travel may not be covered unless disclosed and accepted through medical screening.

This can include previous pregnancy complications or conditions that increase pregnancy risk, depending on your individual circumstances and screening outcome.

If you become injured while breaking the law, there are various conditions and exclusions that may apply which means you may not be covered. For example, this may include riding a motorcycle without the required helmet, or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Remember that possession of certain drugs is illegal and different countries will have different laws. Using drugs or selling them can land you in trouble with the law overseas.

If you’re injured in an accident while, for example, riding a motorcycle, and you didn’t add the Motorcycle Pack to your international travel insurance policy, you may be responsible for paying your medical and hospital expenses because you did not choose to include cover for that under your policy.

It is important to think about what activities you will be participating in so that you have the right cover for the activities you plan to do overseas.

If your belongings are stolen while unattended or unsupervised, you may not be able to claim for the stolen item. For example: If you leave your bag with your wallet and passport inside it on the beach while you go for a swim, this may be considered leaving your belongings unattended, in which case you may not be covered.

Make sure you keep your belongings with you at all times or keep them in a secure location or take reasonable measures to secure them at all times and at all places.

There are exclusions that may apply for regular or routine check-ups or filling regular prescriptions as they are not considered medical emergencies. If you require regular medication, bring enough of what you’ll need for your holiday overseas before you leave Australia.

Should the Australian Government release a warning on official government Smartraveller website that certain areas overseas are no longer safe to travel to and you still choose to travel there anyway, there may be exclusions that will apply such as if you do not follow advice in the mass media where a travel advisory risk rating of Do Not Travel was issued after policy purchase.

Note: We are unable to offer travel insurance to international destinations that have a Do Not Travel warning on official government Smartraveller website. To check which countries we may cover, enter your destination country in the quote box on our website.

Known events are serious situations, from natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, to disease outbreaks, which can affect your holiday plans and also the cover on your overseas travel insurance policy.

If you buy your international travel insurance after an event is deemed a known event, the cover on your policy may be affected. You should check for any Travel Alerts that may have been issued for your overseas travel destination as well as information on the official government Smartraveller website so you know where you stand with regards to the cover that you will have on your international travel insurance policy.

Perhaps the weather was bad, the tourist attractions were too crowded, or your babymoon accommodation didn’t live up to the pictures online. Whatever the reason you’re unhappy with how your trip has shaped up, your international travel insurance policy is not intended to compensate you because you didn’t enjoy your time there.