So you're planning on traveling with pets and you think you've gotten everything sorted out, when suddenly these questions cross your mind: What if my pet gets sick during travel or when he gets to his destination? What if my pet accidentally gets hurt?
We have human medical insurance for ourselves in case we should become ill or get injured and it's a good idea to get medical insurance for our pets for these same reasons. It is especially beneficial to have insurance for your pet if you are planning to travel because you never know what could happen.
Pet insurance will also help lower the costs of your pet travel expenses. When your pet is insured, you can get any of his ailments or conditions treated in a timely manner without having to worry about the costs so that your pet is healthy and ready to travel. In addition, you can visit any veterinarian with your pet insurance coverage, whether you're at home or across the country.
It's important to get your pet a thorough check by your veterinarian before traveling. That way, you can make sure that any possible issues are taken care of, and that all of your pet's prescriptions are filled and ready to go.
If you're planning a big move or trip, then you've already got enough on your mind without having to worry about what to do in the case of a veterinary emergency. Pet insurance provides peace of mind so that you can afford the costs of treatment if your pet gets hurt or sick so that you can get on and enjoy your trip. Happy travels!
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in September 2010 and has been updated.
Stacy Kowalchuk is a rescue dog owner who works for Trupanion, an international pet insurance company based out of Seattle.