Pet Insurance for International Moves: What to Buy, What it Covers, and When it Kicks In
International pet relocation creates an insurance gap that most owners do not notice until something goes wrong. Your current policy may not cover transit. Your new country may not have the same insurance products you are used to. And quarantine costs – which can run to thousands of pounds – are almost never covered.
The Transit Gap
The period between a pet leaving your home and arriving at your destination is when the animal is most at risk. It is also the period most likely to be excluded from standard pet insurance.
What to check in your current policy:
- Does it cover events during international transit?
- Does it exclude claims arising from air travel?
- Does it cover veterinary costs in the destination country?
- Does it cover emergency vet costs if the pet is held at the border?
Most policies do not cover any of the above. Some specialist travel insurance add-ons for pets do.
Cover During Quarantine
Quarantine costs (Australia’s Mickleham, New Zealand’s Levin) are not covered by standard pet insurance. They are fixed government fees payable by the owner. If the animal becomes ill during quarantine, the DAFF or MPI facility will provide veterinary care at the owner’s cost.
Specialist quarantine insurance products exist but are not widely available. Ask your agent or a specialist broker.
Setting Up Insurance at the Destination
| Destination | Pet insurance availability |
|---|---|
| UK | Extensive; many providers |
| Australia | Well-established; providers: PetPlan, Bow Wow Meow |
| USA | Growing market; Healthy Paws, Nationwide, Trupanion |
| EU | Available in most countries; varies by state |
| Singapore | Available; limited providers |
| UAE | Limited |
| Most of Africa | Very limited or unavailable |
Set up new insurance at the destination before the existing policy lapses. There is often a waiting period before a new policy covers pre-existing conditions.
The Emergency Fund Alternative
For destinations where insurance is unavailable or expensive: maintain a dedicated emergency veterinary fund equivalent to one month of local vet specialist costs. For major cities in the UAE, Singapore, or Hong Kong, specialist vet fees can rival UK or US costs. EUR/GBP 5,000 is a reasonable starting point.
Sources: UK Association of British Insurers pet insurance guidance; comparative international pet insurance market research. Data current as of June 2026.