What Is Travel Insurance? | Can You Insure Your Pet When Travelling with Them?

People in Hong Kong love travelling. As soon as there is a holiday, they start planning: flying to Europe to enjoy snowy scenery at Christmas, a weekend dash to Japan, or a quick trip north to Shenzhen for a staycation. Many “pet parents” also hope to explore the world with their furry companions. In February 2025, Prudential commissioned the international research and data analytics firm YouGov to conduct an online survey of 790 Hong Kong people, to understand their travel insurance purchasing behaviour and the key factors influencing their consumption decisions. The survey shows that over 30% (31%) of Hong Kong people plan to travel three times or more in 2025, and 45% of pet owners said their top concern is whether their pets will be properly cared for during the trip—reflecting that travelling with pets is increasingly becoming mainstream.

While travelling, unexpected hiccups may arise—flight delays, missing baggage, sudden gastroenteritis, or even a sprain while skiing—all of which can disrupt a carefully planned itinerary. As members of the family, pets are often what owners worry about most. If they become unwell or injured during the journey, owners not only face high medical expenses but may also have to change plans at short notice. The process can bring considerable stress and make it difficult to enjoy the trip.

At times like these, travel insurance can be very helpful. It not only protects you, but can also provide medical support for your pet travelling with you. This guide introduces the basics of travel insurance, pet-related cover, and practical tips when taking out a policy, so you can choose the most suitable protection plan and truly travel with peace of mind.

What is travel insurance?

Many people assume, “my trips always go smoothly”, and therefore overlook insurance. The reality, however, is that accidents are never far away. Flight delays, lost baggage, sudden illness or accidental injury can all throw a trip off course. Travel insurance is designed for these “unplanned” situations, helping you share the risks of unforeseen incidents while travelling, as well as the resulting losses and expenses, so that you can deal with unexpected events calmly.

Types of travel insurance

Travel insurance products available on the market are generally divided into two main categories: single‑trip plans and annual plans.

• Single-trip plan: enjoy comprehensive protection for individual journeys – perfect for spontaneous travel adventures!
• Annual plan: provides cover for all your trips throughout the year, ideal for frequent travellers who are always on the go.

Scope of cover under travel insurance

Traditional travel insurance generally offers relatively comprehensive protection, covering medical, the loss of trip interruption and personal belongings, etc.:

• Medical support: including overseas outpatient treatment, hospitalisation, surgery, follow-up medical expenses in Hong Kong and etc.
• Personal accident: cover accidental death and permanent disablement.
• Trip interruption: cover the losses caused by flight delay, adverse weather or unforeseen incidents.
• Baggage and personal effects: protection for accidental loss or damage of baggage and personal effects, and delayed baggage.
• Personal liability: indemnity for legal liability for the damage to others’ property or bodily injury to others due to your negligence.

In recent years, some insurers have enhanced travel insurance by incorporating overseas medical and trip protection for pets, making the overall protection better suited to the needs of the whole family.

Upgraded travel insurance: not only for you, but for your pet too

Travelling alone often means to consider your own needs. However, bringing a pet along naturally adds another layer of concern. In addition to preparing food, toys and supporting documents, you also need to consider whether your pet can adapt to travelling in the aircraft cabin or as checked baggage. Any change in environment may lead to stomach upset, injury, or unexpected delays – all of which can disrupt the trip.

To address this, some travel insurance plans on the market have introduced additional protection tailored to pets. For example, protection for a pet’s sudden illness or accidental injury during the trip, or even require hospitalisation, resulting in trip cancellation or curtailment. This means travel protection has been upgraded from covering only the traveller to covering both people and pets.

Traditional travel insurance vs Travel insurance with pet-related cover
 

	Traditional travel insurance	Pet-related cover under the travel insurance
Insured persons	The traveller	Centered on the insured person, extended to an accompanying insured pet
Key benefits	Medical expenses, loss of baggage, trip interruption, accidental death	Overseas veterinary expenses; expenses for cancelling/curtailing the trip due to the pet’s injury or illness
Basis of claims	Reimburses the insured person’s medical or travel expenses	Reimburses veterinary receipts for the pet, irrecoverable or additional travel expenses
Eligible age	No age limit for single trip cover generally	Generally limited to pets aged 3 months to 8 years
Purchase channel	Insurance companies and travel platforms	Travel insurance with additional pet-related coverage offered by specific insurers, or pet insurance plans

As shown in the table, traditional travel insurance focuses on protecting the traveller’s safety and belongings, while the additional pet-related cover can be extended to safeguard your pet’s safety, providing all-round protection for your journey.

How do you choose travel insurance that suits you?

Before setting off, it is worth taking a moment to think: is this trip a short, spontaneous getaway or a long-haul sightseeing journey? Are medical costs at your destination within what you can reasonably afford? Will you be taking part in higher‑risk activities such as skiing or scuba diving? Everyone travels differently, and truly thoughtful travel insurance should be flexible enough to match your own pace and plans. Before taking out a policy, there are a few key points you should consider:

• Choose the type of cover based on your needsIf you're a frequent traveller who jets off every holiday, consider opting for an annual plan to enjoy protection without having to purchase insurance for every single trip—it's convenient and gives you peace of mind. For those who take shorter breaks, affordable single-trip plans are your perfect travel companion, ensuring every journey is worry-free.
  
  
• Confirm the trip nature and entry requirementPlanning on going scuba diving, skiing, or engaging in other adventurous sports or activities? Make sure these high-risk sports are covered in your insurance before you depart. If your pet is joining you, prepare all necessary pet quarantine and certification documents, and get familiar with your destination's pet import/export regulations in advance—so nothing will disrupt your travel plans.
  
  
• Understand the exclusionsLove exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations? Be aware that some travel insurance policies may not cover government advisory zones, conflict areas, or high-risk regions. For pet coverage, exclusions often include elective treatments, pregnancy, or genetic disorders. Understanding these details ahead of time means you can travel with greater confidence and truly enjoy a worry-free journey.

When you have thought through these details carefully, you will realise that ideal travel insurance should consider both you and your pet comprehensively. Prudential’s upgraded PRUChoice Travel Insurance Plan is specially designed for pet owners, taking into account the practical needs of traveling with your pet or trips disrupted because of your pet. Want to explore the world together with your pet? This travel insurance plan offers a first-in-market^{^} pet medical support^#, ensuring your pet receives proper care in case of accidental injury or illness abroad. In addition, if you need to cancel or end your trip early due to your pet’s injury or illness^#, the plan provides protection to help you manage unexpected situations with peace of mind and ease the extra financial burden.

The meaning of travel has never been simply about changing scenery. It is about setting off together, experiencing together, and returning home together. A well-rounded travel insurance plan provides you with solid support, accompanying you through unexpected incidents and allowing you to enjoy the journey with peace of mind, while creating precious memories with your family and your pet.