Quick summary for busy readers:
- Most major New Zealand insurers cover pregnancy, typically up to 24 weeks gestation for single pregnancies.
- Gestation limits vary between providers; some specialist insurers cover up to 36 weeks.
- You must declare your pregnancy and any complications; non-disclosure can void your claim.
- Compare at least three providers before buying.
Most of us know the importance of purchasing comprehensive travel insurance and the peace of mind it brings.
When it comes to travelling during pregnancy – whether you're jetting off to an island resort to put your feet up or heading to a comforting family home abroad – it's important to get holiday travel insurance that covers both you and your unborn baby.
The good news? Many New Zealand travel insurers offer coverage for expectant mothers. We've done the research to help you find the right policy more easily.
Do you need special travel insurance if you are pregnant?
Generally, you don't need a completely different type of policy; but you do need to check that your chosen insurer covers pregnancy.
Most New Zealand insurers will cover uncomplicated pregnancies up to a certain number of weeks, and some require you to declare complications or IVF conceptions. Always check your insurer's gestation limits and any pre-existing condition definitions before you buy.
What does pregnancy travel insurance cover?
Most pregnancy travel insurance policies cover a core set of scenarios that can arise when travelling while pregnant. Emergency medical treatment is typically included, covering hospital stays, doctor consultations, and urgent care related to pregnancy complications abroad – which can be extremely costly without cover.
Many policies also cover premature birth, including neonatal care for your newborn, as well as trip cancellation or curtailment if a pregnancy complication forces you to cancel or cut your trip short.
That said, coverage isn't open-ended. Insurers generally only cover travel up to a certain point in your pregnancy – commonly up to 24 weeks for single pregnancies and around 19–20 weeks for multiple pregnancies – because the risk of complications and early labour increases significantly in the third trimester.
Always read the Policy Wording carefully before purchasing.
What does pregnancy travel insurance not cover?
Exclusions vary between insurers, but there are some consistent ones to know about:
- Childbirth and newborn care: Travel insurance will generally only cover you for unforeseen bodily injury, illness, and unexpected pregnancy complications. Childbirth is not considered unforeseen, and routine antenatal checkups are typically excluded. Likewise, healthcare for a newborn is generally not covered.
- Travelling against medical advice: If your doctor advises against travel and you go anyway, your insurer is unlikely to pay out on any pregnancy-related claim.
- Undeclared complications: If you have a pregnancy complication and don't declare it, or don't obtain your insurer's approval for cover, you may find yourself without protection when you need it most.
- Exceeding gestation limits: If your trip extends past the maximum number of weeks your insurer covers, pregnancy-related claims will not be paid. You may still be able to hold a standard policy, but it won't cover anything pregnancy related.
What are pregnancy complications?
A complication is a secondary diagnosis occurring prior to, during, or as a result of pregnancy, which may adversely affect the pregnancy outcome. Each insurer will have different rules, but generally you will need to declare these conditions.
Some common pregnancy complications that may need to be declared include:
- Toxaemia (toxins in the blood)
- Gestational diabetes (diabetes arising as a result of pregnancy)
- Pre-eclampsia
- Hyperemesis gravidarum (excessive vomiting as a result of pregnancy)
- Placenta praevia (when the placenta is in the lower part of the uterus and covers part or all of the cervix)
Understanding gestation week limits:
Most New Zealand travel insurers cover pregnancies up to 19-24 weeks. Some providers extend cover to 32-33 weeks, and specialist insurers cover up to 36 weeks: the latest gestation limit we're aware of in the New Zealand market.
Twin pregnancies typically come with lower gestation limits than single foetus pregnancies.
Your specific weeks of gestation at the time of travel will determine which policies are available to you, so it's worth checking the table below before you start comparing.
Insurer comparison: Pregnancy coverage
| Provider | Single pregnancy max gestation cover | Single pregnancy without complications | Single pregnancy conceived through assisted reprodution services | Multiple pregnancy without any complications | Multiple pregnancy conceived through assisted reproduction services | Pregnancy complications experienced prior to policy being issued | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 1Cover | 25 weeks (24 weeks + 6 days) | Yes | Assessment required | Yes | Assessment required | Assessment required | Quote | |
 TINZ | 24 weeks | Yes | Assessment required | 19 weeks | Assessment required | Assessment required | Quote | |
 Zoom | Up to 25 weeks (24 weeks + 6 days) | Yes | Assessment required | Yes | Assessment required | Assessment required | Quote | |
 Allianz | 24 weeks | Yes | Assessment required | Assessment required | Assessment required | Assessment required | ||
 webjet | up to 24 weeks (23 weeks and 6 days) | Yes | Assessment required | Assessment required | Assessment required | Assessment required | ||
 Southern Cross | 24 weeks (23 weeks + 6 days) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||
 State Insurance | up to 24 weeks (23 weeks and 6 days) | Yes | Assessment required | Assesment required | Assessment required | Assessment required | ||
 AA Travel | 20 weeks | Yes | Assessment required | Assessment required | Assessment required | Assessment required | ||
 Cover-More | 24 weeks (23 weeks + 6 days) | Yes | Assessment required | Assessment required | Assessment required | Assessment required | ||
 Tower Insurance | 20 weeks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||
 World Nomads | 26 weeks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||
 AMI Insurance | 24 weeks | Yes | Assessment required | Assessment required | Assessment required | Assessments required |
Top Recommended Providers
Up to 26 weeks gestation
Average cost NZD $123-$168 for single trip.
Up to 25 weeks gestation
Average cost NZD $41-$65 for single trip.
Up to 25 weeks gestation
Average cost NZD $67-$86 for single trip.
How to choose the right pregnancy travel insurance:
Choosing the right policy starts with knowing where you are in your pregnancy and where you're headed. Check each insurer's gestational limit first; policies vary, and some are more generous than others. If you're travelling close to the cutoff, some insurers will require a letter from your doctor or obstetrician confirming you're fit to fly.
Then compare what's actually covered beyond the basics: look for policies that include premature birth, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation due to pregnancy-related complications. And if you're travelling to a country without a reciprocal healthcare agreement with New Zealand (like the United States), prioritise policies with high medical expense limits, as hospital costs can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Finally, declaring your pregnancy upfront is essential; failing to disclose it could void your claim entirely.
Get Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need special travel insurance if you are pregnant?
Generally speaking, you don't need a different kind of travel insurance if you're pregnant. However, most insurers will have a gestational limit and will require you to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions, including pregnancy-related complications.
What is the best travel insurance for pregnancy?
The best policy depends on your gestation, whether you have complications, and where you're travelling. Key things to compare are:
- Gestation limits: How many weeks pregnant you can be and still be covered
- Complications cover: Whether pre-existing pregnancy complications can be declared and covered
- Medical screening process: Whether this is done online or requires additional steps
- IVF pregnancies: Not all insurers treat assisted conceptions the same way
- Twin pregnancies: Gestation limits are often lower for multiple pregnancies
Use our comparison table above to find the right policy for your situation.
Is there travel insurance that covers pregnancy?
Yes, most New Zealand travel insurers will cover you if you're pregnant, either automatically or after a medical screening. Cover typically applies to unexpected pregnancy complications, medical emergencies, and trip cancellations, but not routine antenatal care or planned childbirth.
That said, your due date and any past pregnancy complications play an important role in whether you can get coverage. Some insurers consider pregnancy to be a pre-existing medical condition, and a medical assessment may be required before you can buy cover.
Many cover uncomplicated pregnancies up to a certain gestation without any fuss; usually up to around 19-24 weeks, though it can be up to 36 weeks with some specialist providers.
There are also some insurers that will not cover pregnancy-related complications at all.
It's important to remember that exclusions apply to most policies. Even if you find an insurer that covers your specific circumstances, you probably won't be covered if:
- You travel against medical advice
- You have pregnancy complications and don't declare them or obtain your insurer's approval for cover
- Your trip extends beyond the maximum weeks of pregnancy permitted (expectant mothers may still be able to buy a standard policy after the maximum gestation limit, however they won't be covered for anything pregnancy-related)
- You go into labour; childbirth and the healthcare of a newborn child are often excluded
Some of these exclusions may be removable by paying an additional premium or completing a medical assessment.
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