Baby in November Oz in December!

markalanious

Looking for some guidance on holiday insurance for current situation.

Our first baby is due on November 14th, and we need to go to Adelaide for a wedding (i'm best man) at the end of december. Looking at flying out on xmas day, so the baby will be 6 weeks old.

It's not ideal but we can't get out of it, so I need some help with how to go about getting insurance, and whether or not i'll struggle to get cover for eventualities such as the mother and baby not being able to fly, and also me not being able to fly if something goes wrong and i need to stay here.

I'm sure we're not the first couple that have needed travel insurance for an unborn family member, so any help with this would be greatly appreciated as i'm reluctant to book the flights (minimum of £2200 at that time of year) until we know we're covered.

Thanks

Mark

madtrekker

I'm afraid I don't have much practical advice to offer except perhaps ring around a few local insurance brokers and ask for advice. Yes, they are often a little more expensive than going direct, but in circumstances like yours that have specific requirements, their advice and help is well worth paying for if you ask me.

Secondly, while at first, the thought of travelling with a newborn might be somewhat daunting, just remember at this age, they have no sense of routine anyway so don't get as easily disturbed by the shift in time zone etc. They exist in an endless eat-sleep-poo-eat-sleep-poo cycle and couldn't care less where they are or what time it is!

Also, without turning this into a feeding debate or getting too personal, if at all possible, I would strongly suggest that you both give breastfeeding some serious consideration as it will make your life a gazillion times easier when travelling if you don't have to carry endless formula and sterile bottles around.

Bob_the_Saver

markalanious wrote: »

Looking for some guidance on holiday insurance for current situation.

Our first baby is due on November 14th, and we need to go to Adelaide for a wedding (i'm best man) at the end of december. Looking at flying out on xmas day, so the baby will be 6 weeks old.

It's not ideal but we can't get out of it, so I need some help with how to go about getting insurance, and whether or not i'll struggle to get cover for eventualities such as the mother and baby not being able to fly, and also me not being able to fly if something goes wrong and i need to stay here.

I'm sure we're not the first couple that have needed travel insurance for an unborn family member, so any help with this would be greatly appreciated as i'm reluctant to book the flights (minimum of £2200 at that time of year) until we know we're covered.

Thanks

Mark

Ah all that way with such a young baby, and on Christmas day.
Just out of interest with which airline & what is your flight number?
Please God/Allah may they be flying with Quatas not my airline.

Okydoky25

Do you have any worldwide travel insurance on a bank account that coud cover you?.
I would also consider how quickly you can get hold of a passport. The any coud be 2 weeks late, then ou all need to go and register the birth, get photos and complete passport forms. Altho possible with a new baby time really does fly those 1st couple of months and you all need time to adjust not be worrying about travel.

Re if you needed to go on your own are you really prepared to do that and how does your wife feel at the idea of being left so soon after birth. My DH went on a stag weekend 8 weeks after having our son and hated leaving us so much he got an early flight home (v unlike him!) but that's what append when you become a Daddy.

markalanious

Thanks guys, some good points that we've thought a lot about

1.my partner will be breastfeeding so that's a few less things to worry about.

2. we are going with Malaysia airlines as they are cheap and apparently very good with babies - however I feel your pain and can't believe i'm now going to be one of those parents on a plane. But i have been told that travelling with a baby is less hassle than a toddler as you don't have to occupy them with anything other than breast when they're awake

3. The passport situation will be tight but i'm sure we'll get through it - there is a quick return thing (not express) which should do us.

4. I won't be leaving them to go on my own if they can't travel I won't be. Hopefully insurance will cover that eventuality too.

5. no insurance on our bank accounts, we only use basic ones as don't see much point in the other kinds (don't want/need an overdraft etc and the perks like travel insurance seem cheaper to get elsewhere).

6. Will get some quotes and then contact the providers to find which cover all our needs

7. other forum posts i've found seem to say that the infant will be covered on the mothers policy - should be ok!

Bob_the_Saver

I've said it before and I'll say it again ( I know - yawn) but children of any age should be made to sit outside or I'd want a big discount.

http://amazingdata.com/mediadata30/Image/hot_weird_funny_amazing_cool3_a-outside-airplane-window-funny-330_200907260201099441.jpg

Okydoky25

I've travelled with my son 3 times now at 3, 5 & 14 months and honestly he's been great every time. No problems at all and I've felt lucky with the 3rd person in the ow as they've all enjoyed playing with him as well which is a bonus. I'd have avoided being sat near a baby at all costs 2 years ago!

Bob_the_Saver

Okydoky25 wrote: »

I've travelled with my son 3 times now at 3, 5 & 14 months and honestly he's been great every time. No problems at all and I've felt lucky with the 3rd person in the ow as they've all enjoyed playing with him as well which is a bonus. I'd have avoided being sat near a baby at all costs 2 years ago!

I feel so sad I have not been given a child to play with on a plane
hide and seek would have been so much fun (for me)

http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/6203/6203,1228153315,10/stock-photo-child-hiding-inside-a-red-suitcase-isolated-on-a-white-background-21363484.jpg

scottishperson2

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

I've said it before and I'll say it again ( I know - yawn) but children of any age should be made to sit outside or I'd want a big discount.

Don't you do what any normal person does when travelling with kids?

Kids seats




Adult seats

Bob_the_Saver

scottishperson2 wrote: »

Don't you do what any normal person does when travelling with kids?

Kids seats




Adult seats

You're right, I'd prefer to sit with her !

meer53

Don't assume that breastfeeding will happen ! Prepare yourself for the fact that either baby or mum will find it really hard and that you will need to bottle feed. It's not automatic. Neither of mine were breast fed, despite trying for 2 weeks with my first and my second being in a Neo Natal unit for a month after being born 5 weeks early.

Baby could also be late arriving so may only be 4-5 weeks old.

Your best bet would be to speak to an insurer to see what normally happens in your situation.