Currently, in our country there is a huge number of insurance companies that are ready to provide the necessary services at any time. Insurance for expectant mothers is a separate area of activity that SKs are very reluctant to engage in. The thing is that pregnant women are exposed to a significantly greater number of risks compared to other categories of citizens, especially when it comes to long trips. Indeed, in any emergency, a threat to health and life is created not only by the woman, but also her unborn child. That is why only a small part of companies provide insurance for pregnant women when traveling abroad.
Insurance benefits
Pregnant insurance when planning a vacation outside their homeland provides quite a few advantages.
It includes the following insurance programs:
- VHI for expectant mothers;
- pregnancy and childbirth insurance upon departure to a foreign country;
- international health insurance.
To more clearly understand what benefits each type of insurance program provides, it is necessary to dwell on them in more detail.
Voluntary health insurance for expectant mothers
VHI is one of the most popular types of insurance programs in our country.
This travel insurance for pregnant women traveling abroad allows you to rely on:
- free medical services;
- the ability to go through diagnostic procedures out of turn;
- free call to the doctor at home;
- free visit to the dentist.
VHI works in all European countries that are part of the Schengen area, therefore, by registering it, you get a full guarantee that you will always be provided with highly qualified medical care absolutely free.
Maternity insurance when traveling abroad
Making this type of insurance is very difficult because most insurers do not provide such services. In addition, this insurance for pregnant women when traveling abroad has certain restrictions. This is due to the fact that women bearing a fetus are exposed to so many risks. According to reviews, the insurance terms are determined by the company individually, however, the policy loses its validity at 25 weeks of gestation.
International Health Insurance
MMS is one of the highest quality and comprehensive insurance programs, including the largest list of services.
Under this policy, the expectant mother can receive:
- emergency medical care;
- free scheduled examination, consultation and treatment in any country;
- covering all costs associated with pregnancy and childbirth;
- an opportunity to choose any maternity hospital, doctor and maternity team;
- emergency hospitalization in case of birth, as well as free painkillers;
- free hospital stay after childbirth, as well as necessary treatment, if necessary.
Thus, if you are in the late stages of pregnancy and plan to go abroad, then this medical insurance for traveling abroad is a perfect solution.
What expense items does the insurance cover for expectant mothers?
Women in their reviews often pay attention to the fact that none of the insurance programs for expectant mothers does not cover the following categories of expenses:
- abortion;
- giving birth to a child ahead of schedule.
As for the latter, the insurance policy covers the costs associated with preterm delivery if they were carried out due to the existing threat to the health and life of the mother or child.
Pregnancy restrictions
A regular health insurance program includes covering all expenses associated with pregnancy, namely the provision of emergency medical care if the health and life of the fetus or mother is in danger. However, the policy is valid only until the twelfth week of pregnancy, after which it is canceled. This is stated in the contract, since the insurer does not want to take on additional risks.
Extended insurance for pregnant women traveling abroad covers significantly more categories of expenses, up to 31 weeks of gestation. The size of insurance payments for this policy, experts say, can vary from 10 to 50 thousand euros.
Actions upon occurrence of insured events
If during your stay abroad any insured event stipulated by the contract arises, you need to contact the insurer's representatives on one of the telephones indicated in the policy and provide your personal data, insurance number, and the exact address of your current location. Representatives work 24/7, so you can get help at any time of the day or night. Insurance for traveling abroad for a pregnant woman implies full supervision of the client throughout his stay in a medical institution.
What points to consider when choosing an insurance program?
When thinking about which insurance program to choose, the expectant mother should consider the following points:
- at what period of pregnancy insurance can be issued;
- amount of insurance payments;
- how long is the stay in a foreign country the policy is valid.
Equally important is the insurer's reputation and reliability, but the above aspects are key.
Validity of insurance policies
Any insurance for pregnant women when traveling abroad, regardless of its type, is valid for 12 months from the date of signing the contract between the insured and the insurer. Moreover, payment is made in full at the time of signing the documents. The policy applies to the entire time you are abroad, starting from the moment of crossing the border and ending with the return to your homeland. If you plan regular trips abroad, you can conclude a one-time insurance contract for a period of 12 months and use insurance services for each trip.
A few words about the pitfalls
Each insurance policy for pregnant women traveling abroad insures against certain risks and provides for the coverage of certain cost items, therefore, in order not to be in an unpleasant situation, it is recommended that you carefully read the insurance contract when it is drawn up. Particular attention should be paid to what cases are recognized by the company as insurance.
Most insurers pay the costs associated with the hospitalization of the expectant mother to the hospital, if such a need arises, as well as the first appointment with the doctor and an urgent diagnostic procedure. Moreover, all costs associated with childbirth and the mother and child in the hospital, abortion or premature birth are not compensated, unless they were artificially stimulated due to a threat to the health and life of the mother or child.
Which insurer is better to choose?
Unfortunately, in the domestic market, not many companies provide insurance services to women who are bearing a child and intending to go abroad. Industry giants prefer not to get involved in this area because of too much risk. Nevertheless, there are some insurers through which insurance can be issued for pregnant women when traveling abroad.
Liberty Insurance
One of the Russian leaders in the provision of insurance services. The insurer offers consumers the Standard program, which allows future mothers to insure themselves with a gestational age not exceeding twelve weeks. The volume of insurance payments is 20, 50 and 100 thousand euros. Insurance for two weeks, the effect of which applies to any country in the Schengen area, is one thousand rubles.
"Consent"
A small company that offers expectant mothers a special program that allows them to insure themselves during their stay in a foreign country with a gestational age of up to 24 weeks. The policy covers all expense items related to the treatment and diagnosis of various pathologies, abortion in case of a threat to the life of the mother, as well as measures to maintain pregnancy. The maximum insurance benefit is 5,000 euros.
Ingosstrakh
In addition to the main expense items, insurance for pregnant women traveling abroad at Ingosstrakh covers medical services for the treatment of allergic reactions, as well as sunburn. The size of payments may be 30, 50 or 100 000 thousand EUR or USD.
IHI Bupa
It is a large Danish insurance company providing various insurance programs around the world. IHI Bupa Maternity Insurance covers all expenses related to emergency medical care for expectant mothers whose gestational age does not exceed 36 weeks.
Registration of insurance policy via the Internet
If you are planning a vacation abroad or a business trip, but there is no time for going to the company office, then insurance for pregnant women when traveling abroad can be arranged online. To date, only three domestic companies provide such a service:
- "Liberty" - insurance for expectant mothers with a gestational age of up to 12 weeks when traveling abroad.
- Rosgosstrakh is a basic pregnancy insurance program with a gestational age of up to 31 weeks, which includes covering the costs of emergency medical care.
- "European Travel Insurance" - provides insurance services to expectant mothers whose gestational age does not exceed 31 weeks. In addition to the basic risks, it covers the costs associated with preterm delivery, as well as the provision of medical care and the maintenance of the newborn in the hospital.
To apply for a policy, you need to go to the official website of the insurer, fill out a special online form and make payment under an insurance contract.
To issue an insurance policy when leaving abroad or not is everyone's business. But it’s better not to risk it, because anything can happen.