All-round security: Pet travel insurance

Vacation means relaxation – and that also applies to your four-legged companions. But even while traveling, unexpected risks lurk: sudden illnesses, accidents, or bureaucratic hurdles abroad. Appropriate pet insurance while on vacation protects you from high costs and ensures your pet receives the best possible care. In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know about "pet insurance while on vacation": from the various policies and breed-specific criteria to special conditions abroad.

Table of contents

1. Why pet insurance is essential when on vacation
2. Types of pet insurance for travelers
3. Choose the optimal insurance package
4. Breed and species-specific criteria
5. Special foreign conditions
6. Application and secure processing
7. Cost examples and saving tips
8. Conclusion

Key take-aways

• Essential protection: Pet insurance covers costs for treatment, repatriation, and quarantine abroad.
• Package selection: Pay attention to the coverage amount, deductible and term.
• Breed criteria: Some breeds are excluded from tariffs or subject to surcharges.
• Foreign conditions: EU and non-EU conditions differ significantly.
• Practical tips: EU pet passport, vaccination certificate and emergency numbers belong in every travel first aid kit.

Why pet insurance is essential when on vacation

Traveling with your pet brings with it not only the most wonderful moments, but also unforeseeable risks: a serious accident while hiking, a life-threatening situation due to poisoning, or difficulties with veterinary care abroad. Without insurance, even minor treatments can quickly cost several hundred euros – major procedures or repatriation can quickly add up to five-figure costs.

In addition, legal regulations vary widely around the world. In some countries, certain vaccinations are required, while in others, non-EU-certified animals must be quarantined. With travel pet insurance, you can avoid bureaucratic pitfalls and ensure financial relief for you and your pet in an emergency.

Types of pet insurance for travelers

Before you decide on pet insurance, you should be familiar with the different types of policies that are specifically tailored to vacations. A basic distinction is made between pure accident insurance and health insurance, which covers both accidents and illnesses. Accident policies are often cheaper, but offer no protection if your pet suddenly becomes seriously ill. Health insurance for travel, on the other hand, covers operations, medication, and even hospital stays. There are also useful add-ons such as repatriation insurance, which organizes a flight home in an emergency, or liability insurance, which covers damage caused by your pet abroad. It is important to carefully compare the benefits and consider which risks you want to cover. This is the only way to find the insurance that best suits your travel plans and your pet's needs.

Basically, two main categories can be distinguished:

1. Health insurance (travel health insurance for animals)

2. Accident insurance

Additional modules

• Surgical cover : Covers costs for surgical procedures.

• Liability abroad : Covers damage caused by your animal to third parties.

• Repatriation insurance : Organizes and pays for repatriation to the home country.

• Quarantine costs : Covers accommodation and care if your animal needs to be isolated.

Choose the optimal insurance package for your pet

Every trip is different: Whether it's a city break, a hiking holiday in the Alps, or camping by the sea – the requirements for your pet insurance vary. To find the optimal package, you should consider three key criteria: the scope of coverage, the term, and the contract terms. The coverage amount and the deductible are particularly important when it comes to the scope of coverage. A high coverage amount protects against unforeseeable costs in an emergency, while a moderate deductible keeps the premium affordable. The term depends on the length of your trip: short-term insurance is suitable for individual trips, while annual policies are suitable for frequent travelers. Also pay attention to cancellation periods and the option to terminate the policy early after a claim. A careful comparison of these factors will allow you to choose a tailored protection package that is neither too expensive nor too comprehensive.

An informed decision depends on three main factors:

1. Scope of services

   • Maximum coverage amount per claim

   • Deductible per event

2. Duration and travel time

   • Short-term policies (up to 30 or 90 days)

   • Annual policies with worldwide coverage

3. Termination conditions

   • Grading of premiums

   • Special right of termination after a claim

Breed and species-specific criteria

Breed and species play a major role in premium calculations, as some animals are considered higher-risk. While Labradors and mixed-breed dogs can generally be insured easily and at favorable rates, restrictions are often placed on so-called listed dogs or exotic animals. Some providers exclude collars for dog breeds such as Pit Bulls or Staffordshire Terriers, while others charge surcharges for herding dogs, hunting breeds, or parrots. Small animals such as hamsters or ferrets are often only covered under special plans. Carefully reviewing the breed-specific terms and conditions helps avoid unpleasant surprises when applying. Pay attention to possible exclusions, age limits, and additional costs to ensure that your animal is actually covered in an emergency and is not excluded from benefits due to its lineage.

Many insurers set breed criteria to cover calculable risks:

• Exclusions : Fighting dogs or listed dogs (e.g. Pitbull, Staffordshire Terrier) may often not be insured.

• Surcharges : Herding dogs, hunting dogs and exclusive breeds can attract risk-driven surcharges of 10–30%.

• Exotics : Reptiles, birds or small animals such as ferrets can often only be insured with special tariffs or not at all.

Special foreign conditions

Every country has its own regulations for entering and transiting pets – from the EU to overseas. Within the European Union, an EU pet passport with a valid rabies vaccination is usually sufficient, but even in non-EU countries, additional health certificates and sometimes weeks of quarantine are required. Some policies cover the costs of accommodation in quarantine facilities, while others only offer medically motivated return transport. It is important that you know exactly what conditions apply in your travel regions and whether your insurance covers them. Check whether vaccination and health certificates are required and whether the policy covers the costs of necessary tests and quarantine. This is the only way to avoid unpleasant delays at the border crossing and ensure that your pet reaches its destination safely and stress-free.

Overseas protection differs dramatically:

• EU vs. Non-EU

  • In the EU, the EU pet passport is usually sufficient.

  • Outside the EU, additional vaccinations (e.g. rabies vaccination 21 days before the start of the trip) and health certificates are required.

• Return transport

  • Often limited to medical necessity – voluntary return flight is usually excluded.

• Quarantine regulations

  • Some countries (e.g. Australia, New Zealand) require strict quarantine of up to 30 days.

Link tip: More on entry requirements .

Application and secure processing

To ensure your insurance coverage is fully effective while on vacation, you must be diligent when applying. Make sure you have all the necessary documents ready: your EU pet passport or an international health certificate, a vaccination record with a valid rabies vaccination, proof of microchipping, and, if applicable, veterinary certificates for pre-existing conditions. Fill out the application carefully and clarify any outstanding questions directly with the insurer. After signing the contract, we recommend saving the emergency numbers on your smartphone and printing a copy of the policy. This will make the process quicker in the event of a claim: You can easily contact a veterinary clinic or arrange for medical repatriation. Careful preparation guarantees that your pet will receive the best possible care in an emergency – without stressful wait times or bureaucratic hurdles.

Required documents

1. EU pet passport or International Health Certificate

2. Vaccination certificate with valid rabies vaccination

3. Microchip number

4. Preliminary medical examination (for high-risk patients)

Emergency tips on the go (list)

• Save your insurer’s emergency number in your cell phone.

• Create a pet first aid kit (wound spray, thermometer, bandages).

• Find out in advance about veterinary clinics along your route.

Cost examples and saving tips

Traveling with pets doesn't have to cost a fortune. Using concrete examples, you can see how prices vary depending on the provider and tariff model. While short-term insurance policies for 30 days start at just €20, annual policies range between €100 and €200, depending on the scope of coverage. Thanks to multi-pet discounts, you can often save up to 20 percent for the second pet. A higher deductible can also significantly reduce the price – as long as you're willing to cover the deductible in the event of a claim. Also, keep an eye out for switching providers or special offers for early bookers. If you're a frequent flyer, it's better to choose an annual policy with worldwide coverage. With these strategies, your wallet will be protected, and you can enjoy your vacation with your pet with peace of mind.

Here you will find an overview of the five leading pet insurers for vacations with real conditions and direct links to the providers:

Notes on the table:

• Short-term policy : Protection for trips of up to 30 days, ideal for annual holidays.

• Annual policy : Popular choice for frequent travelers and stays abroad; valid worldwide.

• Deductible : The amount you pay in the event of a claim. This can be adjusted by adding an additional premium.

With this direct comparison of the top 5 providers including links, you can quickly select the offer that best suits your needs.

Conclusion

With the right pet insurance for your vacation, you and your pet are optimally protected: You reduce financial risks, avoid bureaucratic hurdles, and ensure prompt medical assistance in an emergency. Carefully review coverage amounts, deductibles, and breed-specific conditions. Consider EU and non-EU regulations and keep all necessary documents handy. This is the only way to ensure your vacation is a relaxing experience – for you and your faithful companion.