Will travel insurance payout for 37+ week pregnancy?

Susaq1623

 I booked flights only with TUI for myself, son, DIL and grandchild. 
My DIL got pregnant after I'd booked and she'll be 37+ weeks by the time of the flight.
TUI will not refund or offer any change of date and their policy rules are very clear and understandable.
My travel insurance is attached to my bank account and I have had the policy for years. 
I have provided them with the invoice, a midwife letter showing the due date but I am not prepared to cancel the flights until they can assure me they pay out in such cases (surely I can't be the first person this has happened to?) Also TUI will not allow you to fly after 36 weeks without a fit to fly letter.
I have explained once they confirm a valid claim I will cancel and send the paperwork but I could offer the flights out to family and friends first rather than them go to waste (almost £900). 
I can't really afford to give them away but if I'm going to lose the money then it would be spiteful not to!
Please can anyone help? Thank you 

NoodleDoodleMan

Have you spoken with your travel insurers, I would suggest that they'll explain the aspects you wish clarified ?

I expect that they will not pay out - other family members are not covered by your policy, and a choice not to fly is considered as disinclination to travel which no travel insurer will cover.

Susaq1623

@NoodleDoodleMan They are currently covered on my policy but this changes in August coincidentally.
I have spoken to them and sadly they are not clarifying my query on whether there is any chance of them paying out, hence me asking here.
It's not disinclination as such but I agree pregnancy is not an illness if everything is running smoothly. The airline will not allow her to travel unless she provides a fit to fly letter which I can't imagine her consultant providing as she has a difficult birth first time around (hence being consultant led this time around).
I have asked a set of specific questions but am waiting a reply.

NoodleDoodleMan

I hadn't heard of policies that cover family other than spouses and immediate children under a certain age, so that does change your scenario a bit.

TUI require a fit to fly letter for pregnancy after 28 weeks and you are correct to assume that her GP will not provide such, especially as she has experienced difficulties previously - and pregnancy per se is not recognised as an illness for insurance purposes.

In your case it does meet the definition of disinclination to fly IMO - however, of course, it's the position of the insurer that matters.

If they are not being cooperative you might wish to contact the Ombudsman for further advice.

https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/

Good luck.

DullGreyGuy

Susaq1623 said:

 I booked flights only with TUI for myself, son, DIL and grandchild. 
My DIL got pregnant after I'd booked and she'll be 37+ weeks by the time of the flight.
TUI will not refund or offer any change of date and their policy rules are very clear and understandable.
My travel insurance is attached to my bank account and I have had the policy for years. 
I have provided them with the invoice, a midwife letter showing the due date but I am not prepared to cancel the flights until they can assure me they pay out in such cases (surely I can't be the first person this has happened to?) Also TUI will not allow you to fly after 36 weeks without a fit to fly letter.
I have explained once they confirm a valid claim I will cancel and send the paperwork but I could offer the flights out to family and friends first rather than them go to waste (almost £900). 
I can't really afford to give them away but if I'm going to lose the money then it would be spiteful not to!
Please can anyone help? Thank you 

Which bank? 

Most, if not all, only cover dependent children under 23 living with their parents and no cover for grandkids. Given they're married and already have one kid it doesnt sound like they'll qualify

It is however likely to be a moot point as routine pregnancy is not covered by travel insurance. There are a few cases where the FOS have instructed insurers to cover for pregnancy but only where the FCDO have advised that pregnant people dont travel to their destination because of Zika or such; even then there is a fair amount of digging into how/why they got pregnant (ie were they trying or going through IVF etc)

Susaq1623

Thank you all. I have finally spoken to someone today and they will NOT pay for pregnancy so I've cancelled the claim.
I'll leave this thread here for anyone else in a similar situation.

NoodleDoodleMan

Do you mind if I ask what your plans may be in respect of the flights booked ?

You might be able to amend the passenger bookings - maybe other relatives/friends would be able to join you ?

I'm not up to speed on TUI rules on this and there will be a cost implication.

Maybe worth considering rather than losing all payments ?