To travel insure or not.......Wow, this is worth a read!

[Deleted member 29185]

FWIW this is one of the exclusions from our annual "family policy" (TID) ... no need for logical assumptions - it's in black & white in quite large letters.

Quoting one insurance company is not proof that it is a clearly defined policy across the board. Others have posted that there are travel insurers that do indeed cover it. I think the coverage of this thread and the associated news story is actually good to warn people of the pitfalls.

I'll bet the couple in question thought that the risk was minimal and worth being uninsured. They probably asked an insurance company to assume the risk- in which case the company would have said no thanks. Instead they self insured.

I read it to be that they were insured, just not for the unborn child. Betting that you know what they thought and what they didn't, is not entirely logical in itself. On what are you basing your belief that they knew they were uninsured?

 

[amaroo]

Quoting one insurance company is not proof that it is a clearly defined policy across the board. Others have posted that there are travel insurers that do indeed cover it. I think the coverage of this thread and the associated news story is actually good to warn people of the pitfalls.

The only policy that counts is the one taken out by the (unfortunate) couple .... seems they had the same exclusions

No doubt you can find a company that covers additional items however, as posted upstream - it cost more! This only makes the couple more reckless IMO

 

[Pushka]

And a bit of 'it wont happen to me' feeling.

 

[Quickstatus]

Quoting one insurance company is not proof that it is a clearly defined policy across the board. Others have posted that there are travel insurers that do indeed cover it. I think the coverage of this thread and the associated news story is actually good to warn people of the pitfalls.



I read it to be that they were insured, just not for the unborn child. Betting that you know what they thought and what they didn't, is not entirely logical in itself. On what are you basing your belief that they knew they were uninsured?

yep ep they were not insured for unborn child. They either did not know, or did know but decided to assume the risk. Randomly this would be 50/50 but after many years of ordinary life experience, I'll bet it is more likely to be the latter because this is a young couple who would be of the generation who are more connected to the world and have google at their fingertips. Pregnancy then being a major milestone in their lives they would have researched much about it and by extension about their travel with bun in the oven.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Not sure how relevant it is, but having been in a similar situation about health insurance and pregnancy ( but not travel related). Most policies that include pregnancy have a 12 month waiting period, so you have to take the cover at least 3 months before you plan on becoming pregnant..

In other words, give us more money.

 

[Quickstatus]

And a bit of 'it wont happen to me' feeling.

Andlikely wanted to be in the group of super to be mums who can do everything, and reinforced by the many unrealistic articles and stories of trailblazing women who have done it before.

We look down on boys with their risk taking behaviour but the pregnant are foistered up as superwomen and amazing role models when they push the boundaries (AKA similar risk taking by another name)

 

[JohnK]

She was pregnant, not disabled.

She should not be travelling nor doing strenuous activities. And yes I know many women prove me wrong it's the ones that don't that worry me.

I suspect JohnK meant not travelling overseas rather than at home in the kitchen.

That's the one.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The only policy that counts is the one taken out by the (unfortunate) couple .... seems they had the same exclusions

Don't get me wrong, I do agree that their chosen insurance didn't cover them. All I'm suggesting is that I believe that fact does not necessarily indicate that they "knowingly, recklessly and wantonly" continued on regardless. All I see, is a healthy young couple, deciding to take a holiday before the birth of their eagerly awaited newest addition, falling into a trap of which I personally believe, many could fall foul. I don't see in that story, reckless actions apart from a couple failing to carefully scrutinize the PDS (as I believe many do not).

They either did not know, or did know but decided to assume the risk. Randomly this would be 50/50 but after many years of ordinary life experience, I'll bet it is more likely to be the latter

Oh, do I detect a change there in your policy wording? You initially stated you'd "bet the couple in question thought that the risk was minimal and worth being uninsured." but your wording is now, "I'll bet it is more likely to be the latter". Big difference and I'd bet you're wrong! I'd bet it was simply an error in judgement of a couple excited by an upcoming holiday, just failing to read the PDS inside out. After all, not everyone are seasoned travellers, wise to the intricacies of travel insurance policies.

We look down on boys with their risk taking behaviour but the pregnant are foistered up as superwomen and amazing role models when they push the boundaries (AKA similar risk taking by another name)

Funnily enough, I agree with this statement. I actually get annoyed by the "supermum" tag used so readily to throw accolades at normal women doing normal things except for various reasons they have a public profile. A mum is a mum. Some are good at it, some are exceptionally good at it and other stink at it, but most would struggle with it at least once or twice in their life. Isn't that life in all walks? What about siblings who look after each other, carers who possibly need care themselves, fathers who care for their wives and children, in fact what about single parents or either sex............it's all academic and off topic of course!

 

[Pushka]

Sandwich generation for me.

 

[Daver6]

I just read on Ozbargain that the CBA credit card has free insurance with OUT a purchase needing to be made on it. For Gold/ Platinum and Diamond holders. Has anyone looked into this?
Looks correct from 1/7/15.

Correct. You need to log onto Netbank and let them know when and where you are travelling to. Did it for an upcoming trip to Singapore next month. No idea how good/bad the policy is. I've got the PDS if anyone is interested. FYI, my card is CBA diamond.

 

[JohnK]

Pregnancy isnt an illness. If you havent had any complications and the doctor gives you the all clear, theres no reason why you shouldnt travel. Pregnant women still go to work at 26 weeks, cook, clean, go to gym etc.
As long as you have the appropriate insurance.

Is there only one right answer?

I believe you should not he doing anything strenuous while pregnant nor travelling. Definitely not gym and more than likely not work either especially stressful work or when you're on your feet a lot.

That's what I believe. It doesn't have to agree with your thoughts nor is it wrong. It is safe. It is conservative. It involves very little risk of complications. There is nothing that needs to be proved. Not a contest.

Now all I need is for my fiancée to be pregnant but looks like God won't afford us that opportunity.

 

[Pushka]

I dont think you should do anything drastically different - but if you have been to the gym regularly and continue to be healthy then keep it up.

 

[blackcat20]

Is there only one right answer?

I believe you should not he doing anything strenuous while pregnant nor travelling. Definitely not gym and more than likely not work either especially stressful work or when you're on your feet a lot.

That's what I believe. It doesn't have to agree with your thoughts nor is it wrong. It is safe. It is conservative. It involves very little risk of complications. There is nothing that needs to be proved. Not a contest.

Now all I need is for my fiancée to be pregnant but looks like God won't afford us that opportunity.

Please find me a job that will pay me to sit at home for 9 months being pregnant. Women run marathons while pregnant. Exercise is fine as long as you were already exercising. I certainly won't be giving up gym or yoga, and I doubt any workplace will give me time off just for being pregnant.

 

[Pushka]

Please find me a job that will pay me to sit at home for 9 months being pregnant. Women run marathons while pregnant. Exercise is fine as long as you were already exercising. I certainly won't be giving up gym or yoga, and I doubt any workplace will give me time off just for being pregnant.

Something to share bc?

 

[Natalie_B]

If only life was so easy as some people here suggest it should be. Every aspect of life has risk associated with it.

I'm 38 weeks pregnant. Looking after an almost 2 year old is much more physically demanding and often emotionally demanding than any job I've had. If I'm supposed to be taking it easy and avoiding risks and attempting not to be a super mum, I guess tomorrow I won't be driving my car, I shouldn't carry my child and I probably should get someone else to
cook dinner for the family. Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I don't continue to have a life and a role to play within society.

 

[JohnK]

Please find me a job that will pay me to sit at home for 9 months being pregnant. Women run marathons while pregnant. Exercise is fine as long as you were already exercising. I certainly won't be giving up gym or yoga, and I doubt any workplace will give me time off just for being pregnant.

All those things are up to you and you obviously think differently.

Thankfully I am in a position where my fiancee does not need to work.

 

[Pushka]

If only life was so easy as some people here suggest it should be. Every aspect of life has risk associated with it.

I'm 38 weeks pregnant. Looking after an almost 2 year old is much more physically demanding and often emotionally demanding than any job I've had. If I'm supposed to be taking it easy and avoiding risks and attempting not to be a super mum, I guess tomorrow I won't be driving my car, I shouldn't carry my child and I probably should get someone else to
cook dinner for the family. Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I don't continue to have a life and a role to play within society.

Sure. But all of those things are part of just being a normal person. Calculated risks really. I can understand Insurance companies marking the line at a 26 week pregnancy running the risk of an early birth. And thus their actuaries have ruled it out for cover. Thats the issue here.

 

[docjames]

I just read on Ozbargain that the CBA credit card has free insurance with OUT a purchase needing to be made on it. For Gold/ Platinum and Diamond holders. Has anyone looked into this?
Looks correct from 1/7/15.

Recent updates in policy removing the restriction to purchase on the card.

 

[Natalie_B]

Sure. But all of those things are part of just being a normal person. Calculated risks really. I can understand Insurance companies marking the line at a 26 week pregnancy running the risk of an early birth. And thus their actuaries have ruled it out for cover. Thats the issue here.

Their insurance company - not all insurance companies. You just need to look further afield and be willing to pay the extra $$.

 

[get me outta here]

Here's another good and sad story, "Australian boy born THREE months premature while his parents were on holiday in New York returns to hospital six years later to thank staff for saving him"

Australian boy born THREE months premature in New York returns to say thank you | Daily Mail Online