What's Zika Virus?
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Because Zika infection during pregnancy can cause severe birth defects, pregnant women should not travel to areas with risk of Zika. Zika virus can be spread to unborn children and has been linked to a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly." Partners of pregnant women and couples considering pregnancy should know the risks to pregnancy and take prevention steps. All travellers should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and prevent sexual transmission during and after the trip.
Where in the world is Zika virus?
Specific areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission are often difficult to determine and are likely to change over time. If travelling, please visit the CDC Travellers’ Health site for the most updated travel information. For more information, you can also read our safety story on Zika, which contains useful advice for travelling to any country where Zika virus may be present.
What’s covered
If you are travelling, there is cover for overseas medical expenses for sudden illnesses (and unexpected complications of pregnancy except between 12 weeks before and 12 weeks after your baby’s estimated due date) and medical evacuation (if necessary) if you’re medically unfit to continue your trip.
Does World Nomads travel insurance cover medical expenses overseas?
Yes. You’ll first need to contact your private medical insurance (PMI) provider (if applicable) and follow their emergency medical procedures and their claims procedures. Cover available under this travel insurance policy is in excess of any cover provided by your PMI. Also, provide us with details of your PMI provider to help us co-ordinate your care. Where your PMI provider does not cover you, contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team before incurring medical costs. You must let us know how you are going and keep in contact with our EA team until you no longer require treatment or assistance.
What’s not covered
Cover is not provided if you travel against the advice of a medical practitioner, if you have a pre-existing medical condition as defined in your policy, or for normal costs associated with pregnancy, for example: routine pre-natal care, fertility treatments, elective abortions or delivery/caesareans during your trip.
For pregnant travellers, your insurer will consider the following 2 scenarios if you wish to make a claim for your non-refundable cancellation costs:
- If the travel arrangements to publicised affected areas were booked and insurance was purchased before 28/1/16 and you were either already pregnant or subsequently discover you are pregnant between the date of booking and the date of travel, we will consider a cancellation claim.
- If the travel arrangements to publicised affected areas are booked on or after 28/1/16 and before the customer knows they are pregnant, a cancellation claim will be considered if she subsequently discovers she is pregnant, provided the insurance is purchased before the date the pregnancy is confirmed. Please note, pregnant policy holders are not covered if: your travel arrangements to publicised affected areas were booked on or after 28 January 2016 and you already know you are pregnant, there is no cover for cancellation costs (irrespective of when the insurance was purchased); or, if you buy a policy on or after 28 January 2016 and you are already pregnant.
The policy isn’t designed to cover everything so take the time to read the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions in the Policy Wording for full details, so there are no surprises if you need to use it. If you’re not sure if something is covered get in touch.
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Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.