To wish travel insurance would take this into account

[Littlelot]

Hopefully not too long ....

We’ve just come to the end of nearly a year’s worth of test and procedures only to be diagnosed with unexplained infertility - which I’m not sure how I feel about but that’s a whole other thread. We are lucky to already have one ds who is absolutely brilliant.

The AIBU - In the first year or two of ttc I didn’t apply for new jobs we put off booking hols to certain destinations (Zika) because we naively thought I’d get pregnant no problems. Anyhow, we hit a bit of a low and on the results of all the tests - and after ds frequently mentioned that he wanted to go to the beach - we’ve booked a Caribbean holiday. Absolutely forgetting - as it’s been out of news for so long - about zika.

I don’t know what made me look yesterday but I remembered about Zika and most Caribbean islands still have warnings in place. I feel gutted inside and so confused as to what to do. We are not rich and can’t afford to just write off this money and book somewhere else. Equally despite the slim chances of me actually falling pregnant I don’t feel ready to give up on trying. Travel insurances seem to say that pregnancy isn’t an excuse illness - which I agree it isn’t - but it does feel like they assume that we have control over when we get pregnant and therefore if now I’ve booked this holiday after a long time ttc I get pregnant that’s my fault.

I’m not entirely sure what my AIBU is exactly and I think I mainly want to put my thoughts / feelings into words. But I think insurers should refund if you fall pregnant before a holiday to somewhere with Zika given that pregnancy is not easy for everyone and no one plans to get pregnant as a way of avoiding going on holiday.

Also I’m generally just frustrated by feeling it’s going to get to a point soon where we give up but mentally I can’t bring myself to properly admit that yet. However, equally I’m realistic knowing I’m unlikely to get pregnant and therefore fed up off putting my life

Why should travel insurance pay? If you make the decision to go to a destination that's not pregnancy safe when you are trying to get pregnant it's not their fault. Who do you think pays?

Although I feel for you, people have to take responsibility for themselves and as there is an official warning in place the insurers can't be expected to help you. It would be like travelling to a country where travel was not advised for safety reasons, and then expecting to be covered if you get caught up in something.

When do you go?

Surely if in the next couple of months you could use condoms to ensure you don't get pregnant. I know this goes against everything you're doing to try to get pregnant, but for peace of mind?

You won't get Zika. The problem has almost been eradicated. Numbers are way lower than they were. Travel agents will still have warnings because their literature is old or they need to cover their backs. I would just go and enjoy.

I might be corrected, but I think that Zika is only an issue TTC. If you are already pregnant there are no issues.

The risk is that if your partner (I think it only affects men) gets bit and contracts the virus and then you get pregnant while he’s still infected that the foetus can have development issues.

I’d go and just use condoms whilst away? Sorry for your shit news, go enjoy your holiday it sounds well needed 🌷

I'm not sure people understand what insurance is. Insurance is a deal where you pay someone a small amount of money as a contingency against an expensive event happening. If there are enough people paying the small amount of money, and the chances of the expensive event are low enough, it is a profitable undertaking for the insurer. So, all the OP is saying is, I wish my travel insurance covered X.

Perhaps there is a travel insurer out there who does. And if not, it isn't an unreasonable thing to wish for.

I’m sorry you are having difficulty ttc.
It’s a lot of what ifs, I don’t think the insurance company are being unreasonable.
If the warning came about after booking, then yes, you’d have a case but currently no.

Have you talked to the agent you booked through? They may take pity and swap you to somewhere else with no Zika. I'm sure a holiday will do you the world of good after all that stress so would be shame not to go somewhere.

I do sympathise with your diagnosis, but insurance won’t protect you against something you are actively trying to do, even if it is not coming easily.,that’s not the point of insurance.

Technically you do have control over when you get pregnant...

I might be corrected, but I think that Zika is only an issue TTC. If you are already pregnant there are no issues.

There are issues if you are pregnant and catch Zika, you can pass it on to the baby.

It's ighly unlikely you'll catch it OP. We've been to a few countries where they have declared Zika and we we

Ok I gave the wrong advice. According to the NHS website it is a risk for pregnant ladies if you got bitten by an infected mosquito.

I’d do as another posted suggested and speak about changing your destination. There might be an admin fee but worth asking to put your mind at rest.

Urgh posted too soon. We were both fine. Countries have to declare it even if only a few cases have been reported

Also CDC advises you avoid trying to conceive for six months for men and two for women after travel to affected area (www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/zika/women-and-their-partners.html). This is in addition to not travelling to areas while pregnant. This is all public health advise and I'm not sure what actual current threat levels are. I definitely know of some travel insurance companies that cover pregnancy - e.g. for diving holidays so I don't think you are unreasonable hoping they'd cover getting pregnant but do think it oukd be unreasonable covering ttc when warning was out when you booked.

www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/zika/women-and-their-partners.html

I do know it’s our fault for not checking. I’m just worn down by it all and was very excited by a real treat holiday - we’re not rich and have taken on extras like exam marking to afford it. I know the answer is not to keep ttc but with Zika it will be the months before and then 6 months after which seems like such a long time.

I’m really not that person who wants others to pay for her but as a previous poster said I just wish my insurance covered x so I could put off making that decision a bit longer.

I got pregnant while on ivf waiting list just before holiday to Florida. I argued based on the wording of their policy (something along the lines of them not covering the ‘risk’ of an epidemic when in fact there ‘was’ an epidemic according to the gov guidelines. I also said their policy was close to useless for women of childbearing age and therefore inherently sexist. They backed down and I got my money back with note from doctor (£20 I think but varies and not covered by policies as standard). Had to moan on twitter and moneysavingexpert too.

I had mexico booked for new year but positive pregnancy test 8th of November so had to cancel lost around £300 for me and my partner. I did get the majority of the money back threw the insurance as recommended not to travel by Drs.

Check your travel insurance now and change if need be. Best of luck in the nicest way i hope you need to cancel your holiday ( and you get your money back) xx

This might help with assessment of risk if you've not seen already ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/current-zika-transmission-worldwide.

Zcarter - Do you mind me asking who you booked insurance with?

Littlelot if you are thinking of going down ivf route due to unexplained infertility the nhs criteria (in my area) is that you can't have visited a Zika country in the last 6 months.

Maybe the docs who did they tests could provide you with a letter which the travel company would accept being against medical advice.

Just a shot.

I for one probably wouldn't have considered it before having my ivf but I'm someone who normally holidays in Europe.

Hi OP, i booked to go to the Caribbean then found out i was pregnant, my travel agent switched us to another destination, should have been a £100 admin fee but the waived that.
Worth a look at non Zika places just incase that situation arose

My sister had to cancel her Caribbean trip due to pregnancy and zika. Her insurance covered the costs. I didn't know they wouldn't.

I lived in a zika country when I became pregnant and for half of my pregnancy and they are a lot more relaxed about the risks. It's difficult because the risk of being infected with Zika and it affecting an unborn baby are very low bit obviously the potential problems are catastrophic.

i think it was esure i had it with an add on for the house insureance i will check with my partner in an hr and let you know x

just asked my partner it was esure xx