A guide to travel insurance with pets
Accidents, injuries and illness can happen to your pet at any time, so find out how to travel safely with your furry friend and what type of insurance you need to keep them protected.
Last updated 10 July 2024
6 mins read
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Can I get cover if my pet has a pre-existing medical condition?
What else do I need to consider before travelling with my pet?
Are there special considerations for guide dogs and assistance animals when travelling?
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Key points
Pet travel insurance can cover unexpected costs and holiday disruption caused by pet illness or injuries
Some pet insurance policies include cover for your pet if you’re taking them abroad
The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows you to travel within the European Union (EU) without your pet having to spend time in quarantine
When you’re planning your trip, find out which airlines are pet-friendly and what requirements you’ll need to follow
Do I need travel insurance for my pet?
Your own travel insurance policy will not include cover for your pets or their medical expenses. Instead, pet travel insurance is designed to give you financial protection if something unexpected happens to your pet while you’re away.
It’s not a legal requirement to have cover, but it can give you reassurance that your pet will be looked after if they’re injured or ill.
While you can’t usually buy standalone pet travel insurance, some pet insurance policies include cover for travelling abroad or you can buy it as an optional policy extra.
Many pet insurance companies have helplines so you can speak to a veterinary nurse 24/7 about any non-emergency concerns regarding your pet's health, no matter where you are in the world.
“So if you’re abroad and your pet does not seem quite themselves, it’s worth a call. If your pet does need veterinary treatment, you might have to pay for it yourself first, then claim the costs back later. So make sure you have enough funds available for the unexpected.”
Rhys Jones – Pet insurance expert
What can pet travel insurance cover?
Pet travel insurance is designed to help if things do not quite go to plan with your pet on holiday.
For example, it can help cover emergency vet costs if your pet gets ill and needs urgent treatment abroad. And it can pay for additional travel costs if they suffer an illness or injury that affects your original travel plans.
A typical policy might include cover for:
Emergency vet fees for illness or injury while overseas.
Quarantine costs if your pet falls ill while away and you have to return without your pet or if your pet’s travel documents get lost or are stolen.
If your pet’s travel documents are lost, stolen or get damaged or destroyed while you’re away, cover can pay towards getting replacements. It could also pay for additional accommodation costs while you’re waiting for replacement documents.
Emergency transport to get your ill or injured pet back home.
Holiday cancellation if you need to cancel or cut short your trip because a vet advises that your pet needs urgent treatment.
Additional accommodation and homeward travel costs if your pet needs emergency treatment abroad and is too ill to return on your scheduled return journey, or is stolen or goes missing.
Repeat tapeworm treatment if your return home is delayed by your carrier.
What does pet travel insurance not cover?
Pet travel insurance will not usually cover:
Any claims if you did not comply with the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) rules and requirements – for example microchipping and vaccinating your pet.
Pre-existing conditions or illnesses your pet had before travel that you knew about.
Treatment abroad unless a vet advises your pet is too ill to travel on your scheduled return date.
Treatment that you cannot produce a receipt for.
Legal liability abroad might not be covered.
What affects the cost?
If you already have a pet insurance policy, you might find this includes cover for travelling abroad. If it does not, you could buy it as a policy extra.
As with any pet insurance, the costs will also depend on the type of policy, the type and breed of your pet, your pet’s age and any pre-existing conditions.
It’s always best to compare policies to see whether pet travel insurance is included as standard, and if not, how much it would cost to add it on.
What should I look for in a pet travel insurance policy?
To help you get the right cover for your needs, look at policy wording carefully and check the following:
Which countries are included in the cover
Policy limit amounts
Which events and situations are covered, including holiday cancellation
The age it will cover pets up to
Any exclusions, such as pre-existing medical conditions
Policy cost compared to other providers
Length of time your pet will be covered for when abroad, it’s usually up to 90 days per year
What is the pet travel scheme?
PETS is designed to stop the spread of rabies and other diseases making it easier and safer to travel abroad with pets.
The scheme allows pet dogs, cats and ferrets to be taken in and out of participating countries, including the UK, without having to put them in quarantine.
To be eligible for this scheme your pet needs:
A microchip
A valid rabies vaccination
An animal health certificate
Tapeworm, tick and flea treatment with an official certificate of proof
The requirements might differ depending on the country you’re travelling to, so it’s always best to check in advance.
You'll need to wait 21 days after any primary rabies vaccinations to get an animal health certificate. And you must get your animal health certificate in the 10 days prior to entering the European Union (EU), so bear this in mind when you’re planning your trip.
What about pet passports?
It’s no longer possible to use a pet passport that’s been issued in Great Britain to travel from the UK to the EU or Northern Ireland (NI).
Instead, you’ll need to use an animal health certificate.
To get one of these, you’ll need to take your pet to the vet no more than 10 days before you travel – you should contact them at least a month beforehand to arrange this.
To be eligible for the certificate your pet also needs to:
Be microchipped
Be vaccinated against rabies
You can use your pet’s animal health certificate for onward travel within the EU and it will be valid for four months.
Be aware that your pet will need a new one every time you take them from Great Britain into an EU country or NI.
What if I need to take my pet outside the EU or NI?
If you’re travelling with your pet to a non-EU country, you’ll need an export health certificate for them.
You’ll also need to complete an export application form if you’re in England, Scotland or Wales.
When you’re planning your trip, check the rules of the country you’re travelling to in case there are any other restrictions or requirements you need to follow.
How much is my pet covered for?
That depends on the provider, the type of policy you have and the level of cover it offers.
As an example, you could expect:
Overseas vet fees – from £1,000 up to £7,500 or more (which will usually form part of your overall vet fee allowance per year).
Quarantine costs – up to £1,500 or more.
Other emergency expenses abroad – up to £1,500 or more for accommodation, travel etc.
How long will my pet be covered for?
This varies between providers. But a typical policy offers cover for a maximum of 90 days abroad per year.
Some providers will allow you to travel in Europe as many times as you like, while others will only allow a certain number of trips per year – say, three trips during the policy term (up to the maximum number of days allowed in the policy year). A provider might also place a limit on how long each trip can last – perhaps 28, 31 or 60 days.
Be sure to check your policy documents before you travel so you know the limits imposed by your insurer.
Can I get cover if my pet has a pre-existing medical condition?
As pet travel insurance generally either comes as part of your pet insurance policy or is bought as an optional extra – you’re likely to receive the same level of cover abroad as you do in the UK for any of your pet’s pre-existing conditions.
But it’s always best to contact your insurance provider to check before you purchase any extra cover.
When you apply for new cover, you’ll need to declare any issues your pet has currently or previously had. If you do not, you could invalidate your policy and your premiums could go up when you try to take out cover again.
Can I take my pet on the plane?
This will largely depend on the airline, the type of pet you want to take and where you’re travelling to.
Not all airlines will let you take pets – for example popular airline Jet2 does not carry any animals on board, except for registered assistance dogs.
Those airlines that do carry animals usually only allow cats and dogs.
In most cases, if you’re allowed to take your pet on the plane, it’ll need to be kept in the hold during the flight.
Usually, the only pets allowed to fly with you in the cabin are registered assistance dogs.
However, flights operated by Tui fly allow dogs or cats (8kg or under) in the cabin if they are at least 12 weeks old and transported in a hygienic watertight bag or basket that’s big enough so the animal can still stand up. Dogs and cats over 8kg are permitted in the baggage compartment of the aircraft.
Dogs and cats are not allowed in the cabin during long-haul flights though, but are allowed in the hold.
Which airlines are pet-friendly?
While you might have a preferred airline, not all operators allow pets, so you’ll need to do your research to find the right carrier for your destination.
Some of the commercial airlines in the UK that are pet-friendly and allow you to travel with pets in the hold include:
Air Canada
Air France - KLM
Air New Zealand
British Airways
Cathay Pacific
Emirates SkyCargo
Lufthansa
Qantas
Singapore Airlines
Thai Airways
Tui Airways
United
Which airlines don’t allow pets?
Whether you want to use an internal flight or take your pet out of the country, some airlines will only allow registered assistance dogs to travel with you.
Airlines that do not allow pets include:
easyJet
Jet2
Ryanair
What is an airline-approved pet carrier?
Pets will usually need to be carried in the plane’s cargo hold when they’re taken on a flight – this means they’ll need to be transported in a pet carrier or container.
To make sure your pet’s safe and has enough space while it’s travelling, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has strict guidelines on the containers that can be used.
For example, the pet carrier needs to:
Have the correct amount of ventilation
Be solid and leak-proof
Provide enough space for your pet to stand, sit, turn around, and lie down
Have a lockable door
Have fixed food and water containers with outside access for filling
Airlines will usually only accept IATA-approved containers, but always check to see what your airline’s specific requirements are.
What else do I need to consider before travelling with my pet?
As well as ensuring you have all the necessary paperwork for your pet, plus any necessary vaccinations, you’ll want to be sure your pet is comfortable and safe while travelling.
Install a safe and secure car carrier, travel cage or crate, or a pet harness that works like a seat belt in your vehicle. Take your furry friend on a few shorter car rides before a longer trip so they get used to the mode of transport and feel at ease with it.
Give your pet plenty of opportunities to toilet – both before a car journey and during it.
Plane travel in the hold can be stressful for animals, so bear that in mind if you’re considering taking a flight. If you’re travelling by ferry, choose a company that has dog-friendly cabins where you can be with your pooch for the whole of the journey. Otherwise, you have to leave them alone in the car, which can be stressful, but also dangerous because temperatures can rise rapidly in vehicle interiors.
Take your pet’s usual food with you – a change in diet can cause tummy upset.
Take comfortable bedding and familiar toys so they feel safe.
Consider whether going to a very hot country is a wise move, as your pet could be badly affected by extreme heat.
Research the availability and locations of local vets at your destination.
Are there special considerations for guide dogs and assistance animals when travelling?
It’s usually the case that ferry companies and airlines allow assistance dogs to travel free of charge when accompanied by their owners.
On ferries, they’re usually permitted in public areas on a harness or lead. And on flights, an assistance dog can travel in the floor space of the accompanying passenger. If the dog needs more room to lie down, an extra seat might be necessary. In such instances, there could be an additional fee based on the size of the assistance dog.
Make sure that you notify the airline or train or ferry operator before your departure date to make sure that the process is as smooth as possible.
Can I take my pet on the Eurostar?
No, unfortunately Eurostar trains are not pet friendly, so the only pets permitted are guide dogs and assistance dogs.
Are pets allowed on ferries?
This will depend on the type of pet you have. Every UK ferry operator has their own pet policy – most will accept dogs, but some will also allow cats and ferrets to be taken on board.
Typically, most pets will be required to stay in your car or vehicle during the crossing. However, some ferries have pet-friendly cabins, lounges and kennels that you can book in advance.
If you’re keeping your pet in the car, you might want to arrange a mid-voyage visit to check on them, but this isn’t always possible.
Can I take my pet on the Eurotunnel Leshuttle?
Yes, you can take your pet if you go via the Eurotunnel LeShuttle.
This way you can travel in the comfort of your own car and stay with your pet for the whole 35-minute crossing.
There are exercise areas for dogs which you can use on either side of the crossing.
You’ll need to take your pet’s animal health certificate and any other required documentation with you.
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