The trend of Americans traveling with their pets is gaining momentum, with the industry responding by offering more pet-centric vacation experiences. “Luxury pet travel is one of the top niche travel trends that consumers are spending on,” according to Lauren Gumport of Faye Travel, a boutique travel insurance company. This growing demand has led to the emergence of exclusive pet resorts and the expansion of pet-friendly services by major hotel chains, including dog-walking and pet-sitting.
Pet-Friendly Travel Developments
The travel industry is adapting to the needs of pet owners, with many airports now offering basic pet-friendly amenities such as relief areas. Airlines have even launched dog-specific services, catering to the growing number of travelers with pets. Gumport notes that one of the fastest-growing add-ons to travel insurance policies is pet travel insurance, which can cover costs related to pets whether they’re traveling with their owners or being cared for back home.
Pet Travel Insurance
This type of insurance can provide coverage of up to $2,500 for pet sickness or injury and up to $250 for kennel costs if the traveler returns home later than expected. While the cost of adding pet insurance to a travel policy varies based on factors like the pet’s age, health, and breed, it’s generally considered a minimal additional expense. However, it’s worth noting that pet travel insurance typically doesn’t cover the death of a pet during transit, especially if the animal is too large to fly in the cabin and is transported as cargo.
Challenges and Limitations
When pets are transported in the hull of an aircraft, airlines treat them as cargo, limiting their liability unless there’s evidence of negligence, such as inadequate oxygen supply or unreasonable delays on the tarmac. In such cases, compensation is usually restricted to out-of-pocket expenses. As the pet travel industry continues to evolve, pet owners are advised to carefully review travel insurance policies and understand what’s covered and what’s not.
