Can anyone make sense of this travel insurance wording?

[DebussyHead]

I'm going on holiday at 31 weeks pregnant flying back at 33 weeks (spain so in EU). Have got a travel insurance policy with RBS Royalties Gold as on the phone they said they don't discriminate against pregnancy, it's not considered a medical condition and as long as I have Dr letter saying I am in good health they would cover me even for premature birth. I took down date and time of this phone call with RBs operator and called back few weeks later to double check and was told the same thing.

Looking at the policy small print for Medical Emergency Expenses it says you are not covered "for pregnancy claims or loses in relation to childbirth, where the expected date of delivery is before or within eighteen weeks of the expiry of the journey". I know I am being thick but I cannot understand what this means, is it saying basically we won't cover you if you travel after 22 weeks pregnant (18 weeks before my EDD)? It is at odds with what I was told on phone and seems very early but I don't know if I am just not understanding wording.

What would you take it to mean?

TIA

That's interesting. I have the same insurance and called them twice and they confirmed that it wasn't a medical condition so I would be covered and so would the baby if born early since it would automatically be covered as a family member. I never noticed that small print you mention. Definitely worth calling them and bringing it up. I'm back from holiday now but would be really interested in hearing what they say.

It sounds like that and it sounds fishy. Call them and ask for a written explanation I would.

I read as it meaning you aren't covered after 22 weeks, which is pretty much the cut off for when a premature baby might survive. I think you need to get it in writing that you are covered at 33 weeks.

That does seem to contradict what you were told. I used to work for NFU Mutual and their single trip policy did cover pregnancy as long as you had 6 weeks left until your due date by the time you were back in country. Not sure if its still the same.

Thanks ladies. I will call again this weekend and read out that section and ask them what it means and if they still say I am covered I will ask for it in writing. Will keep you posted PickleSarnie.

Milli thanks for the tip - I have checked with NFU and they only cover up to 8 weeks before the EDD now so that wont cover me. I need cover up to 7 weeks before. Think I might be screwed as cant find anyone who insures past 32 weeks. Thank god its in EU and I have E111 at least that should get me some care if need be!

Remember that an E111 gets you care on the same basis as a resident of the country you're in (Spain) not the country you're from so if Spanish people have to pay then so would you.

The clause does seem to suggest that you wont be covered if your EDD is

• before the expiry of the return journey (not the case)
• within 18 weeks of your return (which does seem to imply that you wont be covered)

Really interested to hear if anyone manages to get late cover. I need to fly back to NZ to give birth (that side of things is already sorted) and will have to fly at 36 weeks. Yes, I know.

Quick update - I called RBS Royalties Gold again on Sat and again they assured me that they would cover me througout my pregnancy no matter how far gone so long as I have a signed Drs letter and the airline has allowed me to fly. I quoted the section of the policy saying otherwise and was asked date on policy (2008). They said that was old and they have since changed their policy to NOT mention preganancy at all as they are legally not allowed to discriminate and pregnancy not viewed as medical condition. Sending me out new policy docs to reflect this. So providing I am well and can get a Drs letter to confirm this (and Ryan air let me fly) I'm sorted. Result!

It sounds like you understood perfectly):

Hey lola my friend was travelling long haul when late 20 weeks i think, maybe bit more. She told the stewardess her legs were swelling and they bumped her up on the flight (wouldn't at check in). Hope you get bumped to first :)

Thank you for the update Debussy deletes ranty draft email to rbs have a fab holiday!