Traveling with a pet can be full of unexpected challenges, especially the first time you do it. Pet travel insurance helps cover costs that may arise, such as emergency vet bills or airline delays, to ease some of the potential stress.

If you’re unsure whether it’s worth the investment, we’ll cover what it typically includes, what’s usually excluded, and how it differs from standard pet health insurance.

Pet Travel Insurance vs. Pet Health Insurance

Pet travel insurance is typically meant for short-term coverage that applies only while your pet is traveling with you. Most insurance company policies focus on trip-related risks, like emergency medical care during travel and unexpected delays or cancellations. These plans often resemble the kind of plans travelers may get when going abroad, but with benefits tailored to pets.

Pet health insurance is long-term medical coverage that helps pay for accidents, illnesses, surgeries, and chronic conditions that happen to your pets at home. It doesn’t automatically extend to travel scenarios, especially international travel, unless the policy specifically says so.

It may also come at a monthly cost, not unlike health insurance for people, while pet travel insurance may come at a one-time cost before your pet’s trip. Many pet owners choose to have both, especially for peace of mind during international trips or long stays abroad.

If that sounds like something you’d consider, read all of the fine print on both types of policies carefully, just in case there is some overlap in what your pet health vs. pet insurance covers.

What It Usually Covers

Coverage from pet insurance providers varies by company and plan, so any information we share here isn’t a guaranteed set of benefits. Here is what pet travel insurance may cover for your pet or service animal:

24/7 helplines or assistance services for pet-related emergencies
Emergency veterinary care or vet bills while traveling
Trip cancellation or trip interruption due to a pet illness/death or emergency vet visits
Lost or stolen pet assistance or pet recovery support
Trip delays that require extended boarding or pet kennel fees
Limited liability coverage if your pet causes injury or damage
Transportation coverage if pets must be flown to a different airport due to a delay
Quarantine costs if a destination requires isolation due to illness or missing paperwork
Reimbursement for required documentation, such as emergency replacement health certificates

Pet travel insurance can apply in a wide range of situations, like domestic road trips, international vacations, air travel, relocations, or extended stays abroad. Most types of insurance for pets cover any scenario where unexpected pet-related issues could disrupt your plans.

There may be add-ons at an additional cost that aren’t mentioned here, depending on your pet’s needs.

That can include support finding pet health specialists abroad, pet-specific transport methods or travel assistance, and insurance coverage for age-related risks. Coverage of pet-related travel expenses and travel protection is typically limited to either a set number of days or for the stated duration of your trip.

Planning an international flight for your pet? We can help.

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What It Typically Doesn’t Cover

Just like regular travel insurance, pet travel protection has its limits. Some companies only work with traveling cats and dogs; others, like ManyPets, specialize in travel around the United States and Canada.

Specific exclusions vary by provider and policy, so treat this section as a general guide rather than a guaranteed list of what will or will not be covered. Most pet travel insurance plans do not cover:

Pre-existing conditions, behavioral issues, or any illness your pet showed symptoms of before the trip.
Routine or preventive care, such as vaccinations, checkups, or boosters.
Treatment for medical conditions abroad that isn’t considered emergency care.
Pre-planned medical treatments during travel.
Treatment that comes as a result of not complying with a provider’s rules around things like vaccinations, microchipping, etc.
Costs related to missing or incomplete travel documentation, including health certificates, outside of quarantine fees.
Breed-specific exclusions, especially for pets with a history of aggression or breeds often restricted by airlines, like snub-nosed pets or jumbo dog breeds.
Commercial or working animal travel, such as pets being transported for breeding, sale, or professional use.
Voluntary trip changes that are not tied to a covered pet emergency.
Travel to destinations that are restricted, flagged as unsafe, or otherwise not covered by that company’s policies.
Issues caused by owners failing to follow airline or border entry rules or pet travel scams.

Pet-friendly insurance is meant to protect against sudden, unexpected problems, and not predictable or preventable issues.

That said, supplemental policies can even cover things on the list above if you’re willing to pay extra. That includes financial support around health documentation for a trip or move abroad, or replacement documents or pet passports if yours are lost, ruined, or stolen.

Costs and Where to Get It

Pet travel insurance pricing varies widely. Some plans come at a lower monthly fee, but most pet owners purchase insurance to cover a single trip. On average, pet owners can expect to pay anywhere from $100-$500 for a single-trip policy.

Your pet’s age, breed, and health status can all affect the cost of your policy. The same goes for whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, the types of protections you select, and whether you choose optional upgrades like quarantine coverage.

Note: For military families, some travel-related costs may already be reimbursable. Learn more about military pet travel reimbursement.

You can buy pet travel insurance in a few different ways. Some companies offer add-ons that extend your regular pet health coverage during trips. Travel insurance providers, such as WorldTrips Travel Insurance, may offer pet-specific packages for both domestic and international travel.

Airlines occasionally partner with insurers to offer limited protection during transport, although these policies tend to be more restrictive. Some companies focused on pet relocation often include travel insurance as part of their service packages.

How to Decide if You Need It

Pet travel insurance isn’t something every pet owner needs, but it can be a smart investment for certain types of travel with pets. The key is to think about the specific logistics of your trip and the financial impact of unexpected delays or emergencies.

Pet owners who might benefit most from pet travel insurance include travelers visiting destinations with strict quarantine rules and anyone taking long or complex trips. Here are a few questions to consider if you’re unsure:

Will I face high out-of-pocket costs if my pet needs emergency care during the trip?
Am I traveling somewhere that requires strict paperwork or quarantine rules?
Did my trip cost enough that a cancellation or travel delay because of an unexpected pet illness would be difficult to absorb?
Is my pet traveling on multiple flights or on an itinerary with the possibility of extended layovers?
Am I traveling with an older pet, or a pet prone to health issues when they travel?
Am I traveling abroad, relocating, or planning to be away for an extended period?
Does my current pet health insurance exclude coverage outside my home country?

It is also important to consider any insurance services or coverage you may already have. For example, if you already have trip cancellation insurance for yourself, especially on non-refundable reservations, you may not need duplicate coverage through a pet-specific policy.

Some travel issues are avoidable with planning, especially when it comes to health and travel documentation. For a full checklist of items to pack for your pet, see our pet packing list for air travel.

FAQs

Pet travel insurance isn’t required for domestic trips, but it can be useful in certain situations. If your trip involves long drives, multiple stops, or stays where veterinary care might be limited, coverage for emergency vet care or unexpected boarding fees can provide peace of mind. For short, low-risk domestic trips, many owners choose to rely on their existing pet health insurance.

Choosing the right policy starts with understanding your travel plans and your pet’s needs. Look for coverage that matches the type of trip you’re taking, whether that’s domestic or international, and check what’s included.

Compare deductibles, reimbursement limits, exclusions, and optional add-ons. Reading reviews and verifying the insurer’s reputation for handling claims can also help you make the right choice.

Most standard pet health insurance policies only cover pets in their home country. If you plan to travel internationally, that’s where pet travel-specific insurance comes in. Pet travel insurance ensures that any emergency care and other travel-related incidents are covered; however, it’s essential to read the fine print for any exclusions.

Some human travel insurance policies offer limited add-ons for pets. That’s why we always recommend carefully reviewing any existing policies and insurance plan documents before considering additional coverage for your pet.

In most cases, full pet travel coverage is sold separately, especially if you’re worried about medical expenses for your pet abroad.

Smooth and Stress-Free Pet Travel Starts Here

Pet travel can be stressful, but there are ways to ease some of that anxiety. The right travel insurance can help, but working with a professional pet shipper like the experts at Tailwind Global Pet can make your trip even easier.

You can protect your peace of mind and any four-legged traveling companions by allowing us to navigate the logistics of pet travel with confidence.

Ready to get started? Each pet relocation situation is different, so to get an idea of the costs involved, fill out a quote request.

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Pet Travel Insurance