Why Pet Protection Matters More Than You Think

When you travel with a pet, there are a variety of additional challenges and concerns to consider. Delays or sudden cancellations can put extra strain on your pet, especially if they are traveling in a crate or carrier. In addition, making sure you have enough pet supplies for the duration of your trip can make packing a challenge, as you want to make sure you don’t have to rely on a foreign pet food that your dog or cat is not familiar with. Finally, the stress that comes with travel can have an effect on sensitive animals, especially those who are used to their routine and home environment.

That’s precisely why pet insurance is so essential to have if you’re planning to travel with your pet. A pet insurance plan can help insulate you and your animal against some of the uncertainties of travel and hopefully make your trip just a little bit smoother.

What Redpoint’s Pet Protection Actually Covers

What Counts as a Covered Pet?

Redpoint defines a covered pet as a domesticated cat or dog that permanently lives with you in your primary residence. Other species and exotic animals are often not included, so check the specifics of your policy. Whether you take your pet with you on your trip or need to travel back to them urgently, our plans keep your pet front of mind.

Where Redpoint Stands Apart

Both our Cavalry and Ripcord plans include travel protection for pets. This coverage is designed to protect both you and your animals. This gives you the best pet insurance in addition to the other extensive travel insurance benefits that each policy offers.

• Ripcord is our most extensive policy that is intended for travel to remote and rural destinations. It offers our maximum coverage for travel medical insurance as well as emergency evacuation insurance. It’s designed for the most adventurous of travelers (and their pets).
• Cavalry is suited for urban and luxury travelers who are visiting the world’s major cities and iconic destinations. It still provides ample coverage for medical costs and emergency evacuation.

Real-Life Scenarios That Show the Impact

Even though traveling with a pet is becoming more and more normal, people don’t necessarily think through the various mishaps and circumstances that can arise. Here are some examples from our customers of instances where having pet insurance coverage helped smooth over a difficult situation.

Halfway through their luxury safari in Kenya, a California couple received devastating news from their pet sitter: their cat, Oliver, had suffered a sudden stroke and passed away. They immediately decided to end their trip and return home.

With Redpoint’s Ripcord Travel Protection, the couple was reimbursed for the unused portion of their safari, including three nights at a luxury lodge, as well as the additional airfare required to change their flights home. Altogether, their benefits totaled just over $5,200, a coverage that turned a potential financial setback into a manageable situation during an already difficult time.

Another story about Redpoint’s Travel Protection plans,

On just the second day of a hiking trip in Costa Rica, a traveler slipped on wet rocks and fractured his hip. He was hospitalized and required surgery, which forced both him and his partner to extend their stay for recovery.

Complicating matters, their dog, Luna, had traveled with them. With the traveler in the hospital and his partner at his side, there was no way to get Luna back home to Seattle.

Through the Ripcord plan, Redpoint arranged and covered the cost of a professional pet courier service—approximately $850—to safely transport Luna back to the U.S., where she was delivered to the traveler’s sister. This benefit provided peace of mind during a stressful medical emergency, ensuring both the traveler and their beloved pet were cared for.

Expert Tips for Traveling with Pets

Pet safety while traveling should be a priority for any responsible pet owner. The best thing you can do is prepare your pet for success before you head out on your trip. There are several things you can do to make sure you’re prepared for anything that may come up on your trip with your pet.