The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has challenged a comparison website’s travel insurance survey that finds one in four policies do not cover pregnancy.

ICA spokesman Campbell Fuller told insuranceNEWS.com.au almost all travel insurers cover pregnancy to some level, with exclusions varying according to policies and situations.

“ICA encourages pregnant travellers to research travel insurance policies and read the individual product disclosure statements to find a policy that best covers their individual circumstance and personal need,” he says.

Comparator Mozo says an analysis of 271 policies from 60 insurers found one in four exclude pregnancy, and those that do provide cover have a number of conditions.

ICA says the period covered by policies varies from 20-32 weeks for single-birth pregnancies and most use 19 weeks for twins or more births.

Cover is available if the traveller has not experienced complications, but some still offer insurance in the case of complications if extra information is provided.

Most IVF pregnancies are not covered. Generally, insurers will not cover medical or other expenses associated with premature birth while travelling, but a few policies will cover childbirth and care of the newborn up to the 30th week.

Mozo says its analysis shows blood-thinning medication is the most excluded condition, with 87% of policies not allowing claims, while 82% exclude cancer and 81% cardiovascular disease.

On adventure activities, surfing and trekking are usually covered, but 83% exclude mountaineering, 70% rock climbing and 63% skydiving.