‘Babymooners’ left in dark over travel insurance

Mums-to-be are inundated with advice on what to eat and how much to exercise, but when it comes to pre-natal travel advice many are left clueless and anxious, according to travel insurance specialist Essential Travel. A recent survey found four out of five pregnant women plan to take so-called ‘babymoons’ overseas with their partners, yet according to Stuart Bensusan - Sales Director at Essential Travel - many women have serious concerns as to the status of their pregnancy.

“We get roughly 60 calls a day from women in their first trimester,” says Bensusan, “worried that insurers classify pregnancy as a ‘pre-existing medical condition’, and they’ll need special travel insurance. They won’t. With a few exceptions, 99% of pregnant women are perfectly fine and will be covered by a standard travel insurance policy. Expectant mums can relax and make the most of a much-needed break before the big day.”

Stuart advises that there are three basic rules pregnant women need to be aware of when travelling:

1) Being pregnant is not classed as a medical condition unless you have had problems during the pregnancy or with a previous pregnancy.

2) Your pregnancy is covered as long as you are back in the UK within eight weeks of the due delivery date – you are therefore covered up to week 32 of your pregnancy.

3) Emergency medical expenses due to pregnancy are covered as long as you are not expected to give birth within eight weeks of the start of the trip, during the trip or within eight weeks of the end of the trip.

For further information, travel tips and advice visit essentialtravel.co.uk.