You’ve already invested so much—emotionally, physically and financially—in your journey to parenthood.

Now you’re considering surrogacy, but one question keeps you awake at night: “What happens to my investment if something goes wrong?”

Here’s what you need to know: reputable agencies like American Surrogacy have developed comprehensive financial protection programs specifically to address these concerns and safeguard your investment.

Protect Your Investment Today: Fill out our simple form to learn how our Limited Risk Program shields your finances.

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Do Surrogacy Programs Offer Financial Protection?

Yes, established surrogacy agencies typically offer various forms of financial protection to intended parents.

These programs recognize that surrogacy involves inherent uncertainties—from failed matches to unsuccessful transfers and provide safety nets to protect your investment.

However, not all agencies offer the same level of protection, which is why understanding your options, is vital before making this life-changing commitment.

At American Surrogacy, we’ve developed protection programs specifically because we understand that your journey to parenthood is too important to leave to chance.

Types of Surrogacy Financial Protection Programs

The surrogacy industry has evolved to offer several types of financial protection programs, each designed to address different scenarios that might arise during your journey:

Money-Back Guarantee Programs

Full or partial refund programs offer refunds if certain milestones aren’t reached, such as failure to find a suitable match within a specified timeframe or unsuccessful completion of the surrogacy process.

These programs typically have specific conditions and timelines that determine eligibility for refunds.

Unlimited Matching Programs

These programs ensure that if your first surrogate match doesn’t work out, the agency will continue matching you with suitable candidates at no additional cost.

This addresses one of the most common anxieties intended parents face: escalating costs due to failed matches.

Multiple Transfers Coverage

Some programs include coverage for multiple embryo transfer attempts without additional fees, recognizing that success may not come on the first try.

This protection can save thousands of dollars if multiple transfer cycles are needed.

Comprehensive Risk-Sharing Programs

These combine multiple protections into a single package, often including unlimited matching, multiple transfer attempts, and partial refunds under specific circumstances.

American Surrogacy’s Limited Risk Program exemplifies this approach, providing comprehensive protection that addresses the most common scenarios that could derail a surrogacy journey.

Curious about comprehensive coverage? Learn more about our Limited Risk Program and how it protects against multiple failure points.

How Escrow Protection Safeguards Your Investment

Understanding how your funds are managed during the surrogacy process is essential for peace of mind. In professional surrogacy arrangements, your money doesn’t simply disappear into an agency’s general account.

Instead, it’s carefully managed through escrow services that act as neutral third parties.

How Escrow Works in Surrogacy

Escrow protection in surrogacy operates through a milestone-based system:

• Initial Program Fees: Your program fees are held in escrow until specific services are rendered or milestones are reached
• Surrogate Compensation: Monthly payments to your surrogate are held in escrow and released according to the predetermined schedule
• Medical and Legal Expenses: Funds for procedures, legal fees, and other expenses are held securely and released only when services are provided

This system ensures that your funds remain protected throughout the process and aren’t vulnerable to mismanagement or agency financial difficulties.

How American Surrogacy Stepped Up to the Plate During the SEAM Escrow Breach

The surrogacy industry faced a significant test when SEAM, a major third-party escrow company serving multiple surrogacy agencies, experienced a security breach that put client funds at risk.

During the SEAM escrow breach, American Surrogacy demonstrated exceptional commitment to client protection by reimbursing affected intended parents for their lost funds.

To our knowledge, no other agencies were able to provide the same level of financial protection to their clients during this crisis.

This response was possible because of our decades of experience successfully managing clients’ funds and maintaining strong financial reserves.

The experience reinforced our commitment to offering clients choice and security in their financial arrangements, including both in-house escrow management and third-party escrow options.

Understanding Payment Structure Options: Fixed-Fee vs. Pay-As-You-Go

The payment structure you choose significantly impacts your financial risk throughout the surrogacy process. Each approach has distinct advantages and considerations for intended parents.

Pay-As-You-Go Models

Pay-as-you-go models offer lower upfront costs and may seem more budget-friendly initially. You pay for services as they’re needed, which can help with cash flow management.

However, this approach can expose you to additional costs if complications arise, such as needing to rematch with a new surrogate or requiring additional embryo transfer cycles.

Fixed-Fee Programs

Fixed-fee programs require higher upfront investment but provide greater predictability and often include built-in protections.

These programs typically bundle services together, often including protections like unlimited matching or multiple transfer attempts without additional fees.

At American Surrogacy, we recognize that different families have different needs and financial situations.

That’s why we offer both à la carte options for those who prefer to budget for specific services and our comprehensive Limited Risk Program with built-in financial protections.

Not sure which payment structure works best for you? Compare our à la carte and risk-sharing options to find your ideal fit.

What Happens Financially If a Journey Fails?

While rare, not every surrogacy journey results in a successful birth, and understanding what happens to your investment in these scenarios is vital for making informed decisions.

The financial implications of a failed journey depend largely on the type of program you choose and at what point the journey ends:

• Failed Matching: If you can’t find a suitable surrogate match, some agencies offer full or partial refunds of program fees, while others provide unlimited matching services until a suitable candidate is found.
• Contract Termination: If a surrogate withdraws after contract signing but before medical procedures begin, you may be responsible for any compensation already paid, but program fees might be refundable or applicable to a new match.
• Medical Complications: If the journey ends due to medical complications or failed transfers, the financial outcome depends on your program’s specific protections and how far into the process you’ve progressed.
• No Viable Embryos: If you run out of viable embryos without achieving pregnancy, some programs offer partial refunds or credit toward future cycles.

High-quality financial protection programs address these scenarios with clear policies and, in many cases, built-in protections that minimize your losses while maximizing your chances of ultimately achieving success.

Do I Lose Money if the Surrogate Backs Out?

With a comprehensive financial protection program, surrogate withdrawal doesn’t have to mean significant financial loss.

Programs like our Limited Risk Program include unlimited matching services, meaning that if your surrogate backs out at any stage before achieving pregnancy, you won’t pay additional fees to find a replacement.

However, the timing of the withdrawal affects the overall financial impact. If a surrogate withdraws after receiving compensation payments, those funds typically cannot be recovered.

This is why working with agencies that have thorough screening processes and strong surrogate support systems is essential—they reduce the likelihood of unexpected withdrawals.

Essential Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Surrogacy Program

Before committing to any surrogacy program, protect yourself by asking these essential financial questions:

About Refund Policies

• Under what circumstances are program fees refundable?
• What percentage of fees can be refunded at different stages of the process?
• How long do I have to request a refund if we decide to discontinue our journey?

About Matching and Re-matching

• How many matches are included in my program fee?
• What happens financially if our first surrogate match doesn’t work out?
• Are there additional costs for finding a replacement surrogate?

About Escrow and Fund Management

• How are my funds protected during the process?
• Who manages the escrow account, and what are their credentials?
• What happens to my money if the agency experiences financial difficulties?

About Additional Costs and Coverage

• What services are included in my program fee versus what costs extra?
• What are the potential additional costs I should budget for?
• Are there caps on certain expenses, such as surrogate medical costs?

About Journey Completion and Guarantees

• What happens to my investment if no pregnancy is achieved?
• Are there guarantees or protections if we exhaust our embryos without success?
• What financial support is available if we need to start over with a new surrogate?

About Payment Options

• Can I choose between fixed-fee and pay-as-you-go options?
• What are the advantages and risks of each payment structure?
• Are financing options available to help manage the financial commitment?

Why American Surrogacy’s Financial Protection Stands Apart

At American Surrogacy, we’ve spent decades perfecting our financial protection programs because we understand that your journey to parenthood is too important to leave to chance.

Our approach differs from other agencies in several key ways:

• Proven Crisis Response: Our handling of the SEAM breach demonstrated our commitment to protecting clients even in unprecedented circumstances
• Flexible Escrow Options: We offer both in-house and third-party escrow management, giving you control over your fund protection
• Comprehensive Coverage: Our Limited Risk Program includes unlimited matching and re-matching services
• Transparent Policies: Clear, upfront communication about all costs and protections

Ready to Protect Your Path to Parenthood?

With the right protection programs and a reputable agency partner, you can move forward with confidence, knowing your investment is safeguarded.

Contact American Surrogacy today to learn more about our financial protection programs and discover how we can help secure your path to parenthood.

Your family’s future deserves nothing less than comprehensive protection and experienced guidance every step of the way.