What Is Pet Travel Insurance?

Delayed and canceled flights create havoc when you travel. Yet, planning changes can be particularly challenging and costly when traveling with pets. Even if you've taken out a travel insurance policy, it only covers costs for your family, not your pet. Taking out a pet travel insurance policy can alleviate additional costs you might incur when travel plans change. So, what is pet travel insurance?

Key Takeaways

• Pet travel insurance helps cover unexpected costs that arise when traveling with pets.
• Most pet travel insurance policies have mandatory waiting periods.
• Pet travel insurance may reimburse you for vet visits if your pet gets sick or injured when traveling.

What Is Pet Travel Insurance?

Pet travel insurance helps cover costs you might incur when traveling with your pet. These policies cover unexpected expenses like vet visits if your pet gets sick or hotel stays if you get delayed.

Pet travel insurance policies are short-term and offer coverage only when you travel. When you take out a travel policy, you usually pay for the costs upfront and then ask for reimbursement from the insurance company.

Many insurers have mandatory waiting periods when taking out a pet insurance policy. Your coverage may not kick in until after the waiting period ends, which can be anywhere from two to 14 days. So, choose a policy far enough ahead of your trip to avoid coverage delays. 

What Does Pet Travel Insurance Typically Cover?

Basic policies cover emergency costs, such as vet visits or quarantine fees. You can also find comprehensive policies that offer more extensive travel coverage, such as third-party liability and pet loss. 

Trip Interruption

If you must cut your trip short because your pet gets hurt or sick or you have changed plans, pet travel insurance may reimburse you for nonrefundable flights or hotel stays. 

Trip Cancellation

Pet travel insurance may reimburse you for what you’ve paid for your flight, hotel and other related expenses if you must cancel your trip. 

Transportation Delays

You might need to make alternate travel arrangements if your flight is delayed or canceled. Pet travel insurance can help cover these additional expenses if you need to stay overnight, book a different flight or secure temporary accommodation for your pet. 

Veterinary Expenses

Seeing a veterinarian can be costly if your pet gets sick or hurt during your trip. Pet travel insurance helps cover costs for pet examinations, surgery, medication or overnight stays. 

Third-Party Liability

Even the most well-behaved pets can cause damage. Some pet travel policies come with liability coverage, which might cover the costs you incur if your pet injures someone or damages property. 

Lost or Stolen Pet

When you travel, your pet could be lost or stolen. You might incur costs searching for your lost or stolen pet. A travel policy might reimburse you for these costs. Additionally, you could be compensated for the value of your pet if it cannot be found. 

What Is Not Covered?

Pet travel insurance doesn’t cover broader health needs your pet might have. Instead, the coverage only extends to costs incurred because of travel-related issues.

Pet travel insurance usually doesn’t cover business or commercial transportation. You likely won't have coverage under travel insurance when transporting your pet for breeding, professional training, or exhibition purposes, like a pet show. Instead, you may need to seek a specialized insurance policy for these activities. 

How Much Does Pet Travel Insurance Cost? 

Premiums for pet travel insurance vary based on the coverage selected and your pet's health and age. Depending on these factors, you could pay between $20 and $100 per month for pet travel insurance. 

Does Your Travel Insurance Cover Pets?

Your travel insurance protects you and your family when traveling. Your travel insurance policy covers travel-related expenses, like rebooked flights or lost belongings. However, your travel insurance policy won’t cover your pet. However, your travel insurance policy may offer optional “Cancel For Any Reason” (CAFR) coverage. With CAFR, you could have coverage to cancel your trip for pet-related reasons. 

Pet Travel Insurance vs. Pet Health Insurance 

While both policies protect your pets, they offer vastly different coverage. Pet travel insurance applies to what happens when taking your pet on a trip. The policy covers costs you might incur if your pet gets sick or hurt or your travel plans get pushed back or canceled. You usually pay out of pocket for pet-related costs and then submit a reimbursement with travel insurance.

Pet health insurance covers your pet's health care needs. These policies often cover vet visits, medication, and surgery. A pet health care policy remains effective if you pay the monthly or annual premiums. Many policies have deductibles that vary based on coverage and service. Some health policies offer care and travel cancellation costs if your pet gets hurt or sick while taking a trip. 

Is Pet Travel Insurance Worth It?

Pet travel insurance can be a worthwhile investment if it suits your financial situation. Here are a few helpful factors to consider before you take out a pet travel insurance policy.

• Coverage limits: Policies often have different payouts based on specific situations. The maximum amount you could recover may vary if you need emergency lodging or your pet gets sick.
• Preexisting conditions: Some policies won’t cover costs resulting from a pet’s preexisting condition.
• Exclusions: Some policies exclude certain breeds from coverage. The policy may not cover your pet if it's older or has a specific medical condition.
• Reimbursement process: Pet travel insurance reimburses you for unexpected travel costs. Since you pay these costs out of pocket, knowing how to get reimbursed and how long it takes to get your money is important. 

Compare Pet Travel Insurance

Pet insurance policies come with different coverage options and exclusions. Finding the right pet policy to suit your needs may seem overwhelming. To help narrow your search, we've compared some of the best pet insurance companies based on coverage, emergency treatment and travel. 

Get Peace of Mind with Pet Travel Insurance

Pet travel insurance can bring peace of mind when taking a trip with your pet. Yet before you invest in insurance for your pet’s travel, be sure to compare coverage from multiple insurers and check the fine print for any coverage exclusions. 

Frequently Asked Questions