Many pet owners neglect the need for pet insurance. For some reason, it doesn’t seem as pressing as other kinds of insurance. This is in spite of the fact that vet bills are extremely expensive in the US, and emergency services could cost you thousands of dollars.
You should have basic cover at the minimum. Check out Lemonade pet insurance for a deal that suits your furry friends. You can get cover for vet bills, surgeries, medication, and more.
But what about those of us who love traveling with our pets? Unfortunately, when traveling there are always a host of potential dangers that are not present when we’re home. Do you need to get extra pet insurance when traveling?
Here is what you need to know:
What can go wrong?
If you need a primer on the potential dangers of travel for your pet, we won’t catastrophize too much. Quite simply, all the risks your pet is normally exposed to are present. They could eat the wrong thing, get a regular illness, or be diagnosed with a chronic condition.
But when traveling, your pet is at greater risk of injury. They may get hurt in transit, especially if they are in a confined space. They may also get hurt on adventures such as hiking and running on the beach. The sea can also be dangerous even if they are used to swimming.
All of this is reason enough to ensure you have the right coverage. What do you need to ask of your insurer?
Do you have out-of-state coverage?
Regardless of how extensive your pet insurance is, it is useless if they don’t provide coverage when you are out of state. They may not do so for a number of reasons, including differing costs in different states or because they do not have coverage there. If they only pay out claims to specific partners, you will not find an in-network vet in a state without coverage.
The good news is that the best insurers will cover you anywhere in the US, as long as you do your due diligence and get the documentation you need. Ask your insurer about this before you go on your trip.
How high are your deductibles?
Deductibles are an ever-present characteristic of American insurance. This is true with pet insurance as well. Deductibles can actually be very helpful when getting insured. If you want your premiums to be lower, you can raise your deductible. Then, only if you need to access your cover will you pay the deductible.
This is great if you have extra funds available in a pinch. However, when you’re traveling, you may be strapped for cash. Shelling out a couple of hundred dollars on a deductible at the emergency vet may just not be possible.
Before you set out on your journey, check how high your deductibles are. Consider what you can afford and if you may need to lower them, if only temporarily. Ask your insurer what arrangements you are able to make, if any. You want to be as prepared as possible if something goes wrong and you’re far from home.
What about extra cover?
If you have extensive pet insurance coverage, you’re unlikely to need any more cover for your travels. The reality is that while there are more dangers on your travels, the potential vet bills are probably not any higher.
Check with your insurer what they cover and consider whether it is enough for all eventualities. If not, you should have that extra cover whether or not you are traveling. If it is good enough for home, it is probably good enough for your travels.
Your insurer may provide extra cover for things like regular checkups, dental care, and the like. However, this is not going to be something you would need to access on your travels.
Traveling with your pet does introduce a number of new dangers. That being said, your current pet insurance should be good enough. Ask your insurer about coverage out of state, and consider reducing your deductibles.
