Summary of Key Points
Even the most seasoned travelers need somewhere to call home. Nothing makes a home feel more complete than having a four-legged companion waiting. There is a special bond that modern-day adventurers have with their pets: no matter where they go, someone will always be home waiting to greet them with undying love and affection.
Every once in a while, it seems like a natural fit to bring furry friends along for the next trip. Whether it’s a weekend at the lake or a journey halfway around the world, pets can be a natural and comforting companion to have alongside. Depending on the destination, some travelers may purchase a travel insurance plan to cover them in the event of injury, illness, or unforeseen events. If the worst were to happen, would traveling pets be covered as well?
Unfortunately, pets do not have the same rights and coverage levels as their human counterparts. Those planning to travel with pets need to consider all situations that may affect them while traveling – both en route to the destination and during their time away from home.
Carrier Policies for Pets
For those traveling by air, policies for pets may differ greatly. As a general rule, travelers need to coordinate with their carriers about travel rules for their animals and set up arrangements well ahead of time. Small dogs and cats that travel in a travel-sized carrier may be able to travel with their owner as carry-on luggage. If a pet cannot comfortably fit in the cabin, or if there are already too many pets in the main cabin, they may have to be transported as checked luggage.
In order to travel as checked luggage, dogs may require several special accommodations, including a minimum age, a travel crate, and a health certificate from a veterinarian. Airlines may also impose a special fee for pet companions while traveling; this policy varies among airlines.
Finally, although an airline can transport pets, each has a different level of liability for a pet’s health while under their care. As demonstrated in a previous legal case, some airlines will limit their liability to the same limits prescribed to checked luggage, currently set at $3,300 for domestic flights. If a pet were to be injured or die in the care of an airline, the airlines may only cover losses up to the declared amount, with a maximum limit.
Travel Insurance Coverage
International travelers often purchase travel insurance policies to cover their health while in foreign countries. Do those same liberties extend to pets as well? The answer is complex and varies by policy.
If a pet is brought onto an airplane either checked through or carried on, some travel insurance policies may consider the animal as luggage. Consequently, travel insurance may cover incidents that occur to your pet as a direct result of airline handling. If a pet is injured during travel, a travel insurance policy might cover this under baggage damage. Should the unthinkable happen, the declared value of the pet may be recoverable as baggage loss. Before choosing a travel insurance policy, be sure to inquire about how pets are regarded by the policy.
Would travel insurance cover a trip cancellation if an airline cannot accommodate a pet? Generally speaking, many travel insurance policies do not consider veterinary situations as valid reasons to cancel a trip, including rescheduling a trip due to an airline’s inability to accommodate a pet. Those travelers who are concerned that a flight may be “pet-overbooked” should contemplate adding Cancel for Any Reason to their insurance plan.
Does travel insurance cover an injury to a pet while abroad? Since most travel insurance policies focus on human travelers, many will not cover injuries or illnesses to pets while traveling internationally. In addition, some locations, like Hawaii, impose quarantine requirements for entering pets. These known expenses may not be covered by insurance in the event of a delay or loss. However, travelers with pets across the United States should consider specialized pet insurance plans, which could cover expenses if a pet is injured while traveling.
Although pets are not traditionally “covered” by travel insurance, travelers can take reasonable accommodations to safeguard their furry friends. By understanding what insurance will and will not cover, travelers can make informed decisions about when to travel with pets and when it may be better to leave them at home.
