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Pregnancy Travel Insurance

Expecting a new bundle of joy? Learn why Canadians may want to consider travel insurance for pregnancy

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At a glance

  • World Nomads offers single trip and annual multi-trip plans for Canadian residents who are pregnant 
  • Plans include travel insurance benefits for certain pregnancy-related medical emergencies during the first 26 weeks
  • If you need to cancel or interrupt your trip due to a pregnancy complication, you may be reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable, unused, forfeited travel arrangements that you made in advance such as hotel accommodation, flights and tours

Why should you consider travel insurance that covers pregnancy?

Did you book your dream vacation and then find out that you’re pregnant a week later? Or do you just need a little babymoon to have some relaxing time before your little one arrives? Either way, many women travel while pregnant, and you can too. According to a survey by the Journal of Travel Medicine, over half of their respondents travelled abroad while pregnant. You’ll want to consult with your doctor first to make sure your pregnancy isn’t considered high risk, but even if it’s not, unexpected situations can always happen.

Unanticipated pregnancy complications can disrupt travel plans, but World Nomads offers travel insurance plans that cover pregnancy-related medical emergencies within the first 26 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnancy travel insurance also covers trip cancellation and interruption, and you may be reimbursed for the non-refundable, unused, forfeited, prepaid trip costs you’ve spent for things like tours, transportation and hotel accommodation if your plans change because of a covered reason (up to maximum limits listed in your policy ).

Exclusions

Maximum Limits

Standard PlanExplorer PlanEpic PlanAnnual Plan

Emergency medical coverage: up to $1,500,000 CAD 

Trip cancellation: Up to $2,500 CAD 

Trip interruption: Up to $2,500 CAD 



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Emergency medical coverage up to $5,000,000 CAD  

Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 CAD 

Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 CAD 



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Emergency medical coverage up to $10,000,000 CAD 

Trip cancellation: Up to $15,000 CAD 

Trip interruption: Up to $15,000 CAD 



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Emergency medical coverage up to $5,000,000 CAD

Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 CAD 

Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 CAD 



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Tips for travelling while pregnant

  • Always check with your doctor before travelling. If your doctor says you shouldn’t be travelling, and you do anyway, you may not be covered by your pregnancy travel insurance benefits.
  • Book an aisle seat. It makes it easier to get up and down to go to the restroom.
  • Check with your travel providers to see if they have any restrictions for travelling while pregnant. For example, some airlines and cruises may not allow you to board when you’ve passed a certain point in your pregnancy.
  • Before you leave, see if you need a note from your doctor. Some airlines may ask for a doctor’s note that states how far along you are in your pregnancy and confirms that you aren’t high risk.
  • To help with circulation, wear compression socks when flying or taking long rides in a car or on a train. Women are more likely to develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when they are pregnant. The potential for these blood clots is higher when you’re travelling and not moving for long periods of time, but compression socks can help.
  • Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can cause Braxton Hicks contractions.
  • Pack all of your medications in your carry-on bag. If you have pregnancy travel insurance, it may also include coverage for lost and delayed bags, but you won’t want to be without any necessary medications.
  • Avoid strenuous excursions. Even though World Nomads covers over 250 sports, activities and experiences, you may want to save some adventures like bungee jumping until after the baby arrives.

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for pregnancy. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.

  • Is it ok to travel while pregnant?

    Many women travel with confidence while pregnant and have no problems at all. However, that’s something you should discuss with your doctors. They can take a look at your overall health and risk factors and determine if it’s ok for you to travel while pregnant. Just read your travel insurance policy and make sure you understand what it does and doesn’t cover. Pregnancy complications after the 26th week of pregnancy or any time after the expected delivery date aren’t covered. It also won’t cover the costs of childbirth if the baby comes while you’re travelling.

  • Can I fly while I’m pregnant?
    That’s up to you to discuss with your doctors but it may affect your travel insurance. You may not be covered if they say you shouldn’t be travelling. Your airline might also ask for a letter from your doctor confirming your expected due date and whether you’re at risk of any complications. It is important to check your airline’s policy regarding pregnancy. If you get to the airport and your airline won’t let you fly, you may not be able to make a claim.
  • What happens if I have pregnancy complications while travelling?

    You may be covered for emergency medical expenses if you experience complications of pregnancy during your trip. However, you must be covered by your Government Health Insurance Plan (”GHIP”) for the full duration of your trip. If you do not have GHIP coverage while on your trip, your emergency medical coverage will be limited to $40,000 CAD.. Pre-existing medical conditions that are excluded in the policy may not be covered, though.  

    It’s also important to note that pregnancy complications after the 26th week of pregnancy or any time after the expected delivery date aren’t covered. Travel insurance also won’t cover the costs of childbirth if the baby comes while you’re travelling.  

  • What type of pregnancy complications may be covered?

    Pregnancy complications that happen within the first 26 weeks of pregnancy may be covered by your World Nomads travel insurance benefits. Complications related to pregnancy are conditions whose diagnoses are distinct from pregnancy but are adversely affected by pregnancy or are caused by pregnancy. These may include, but are not limited to: 

    • Hyperemesis gravidarum 
    • Preeclampsia 
    • Eclampsia 
    • Gestational diabetes 
    • Gestational hypertension 
    • Acute nephritis 
    • Nephrosis 
    • Cardiac decompensation  
    • Spontaneous miscarriage 

    Pregnancy complications after the 26th week of pregnancy or any time after the expected delivery date aren’t covered. Travel insurance also won’t cover the costs of childbirth if the baby comes while you’re travelling.  

  • Can I cancel my trip if I have pregnancy complications before travelling?

    Yes, all of the World Nomads Travel Insurance plans for Canadian residents include trip cancellation insurance benefits. You may be reimbursed for unused, forfeited, prepaid, non-refundable expenses that you paid for in advance if you suffer an emergency medical condition such as unexpected complications related to your pregnancy before your trip that prevent you from travelling. You’ll need documentation from your physician regarding the diagnosis if you plan to make a claim, though.  

This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical, legal, insurance, or travel advice and provides only a general summary of certain features that may be available under applicable travel insurance policies. Coverage is subject to the specific terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and pre-existing condition provisions of the applicable insurance policy. In the event of any inconsistency between this article and the wording of any insurance policy, the policy wording shall govern and take precedence. It is important that you read and understand your policy before travelling. If you have questions about your coverage or are unsure how your policy applies to your circumstances, please contact us for clarification.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: $5,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalized?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Explorer Plan: $10 million
  • Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medevac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.

  • Explorer Plan: $3,000
  • Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
  • Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
  • Emergency Professional Services
  • Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
  • Return to Your Trip Destination
  • Return of Remains
  • Travel Accident
  • Flight Accident
  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
  • Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
  • Travel Documents Theft or Damage
  • Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
  • Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
  • LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance
  • Adventure Travel Hotline
  • 24/7 Security
  • Travel Medical Assistance
  • Bag Trak
This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.