Most pet insurance companies generally cover only pet dogs and cats, making it quite unfavorable for pet parents who have other types of feathered, furry, or scaly pets. These pet parents may also want to insure their pets. Exotic pet insurance is the best insurance for pet parents with other types of pets.
Pet parents with a pet chinchilla, cockatoo, or pot-bellied pig may consider getting exotic pet insurance to cover them in times of accidents or illnesses. Just like every other pet insurance policy, this pet insurance offers financial protection for costly vet bills and peace of mind for pet owners if ever their pets get sick.
Different pet insurance companies offer pet insurance for cats and dogs, but others offer insurance for exotic pets. They offer affordable policies and coverages you can purchase for your pet. Before proceeding with the purchase of this pet insurance, read through this write-up to gain knowledge on all the information needed about this life insurance.
What is Exotic Pet Insurance?
This insurance is a type of health insurance policy for your exotic pets. It covers vet bills relating to injuries and illnesses. These exotic pets include fish, small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Irrespective of your pet’s breed or type, you can purchase exotic life insurance coverage for them.
Types of Exotic Pet Insurance
Generally, pet insurers offer exotic pet accident and illness coverage plans. This accident and illness plan covers vet bills for accidents like soft tissue trauma and illnesses like arthritis or feather loss. Nationwide is reimbursement-based, meaning you will have to make an up-front payment to your exotic pet’s vet bills and submit a claim to your pet insurer. If your vet costs are covered by your pet insurance policy, you will be reimbursed by your insurers.
What Does It Cover?
The two types of insurance coverage this insurance has are accident and illness coverage. Under this coverage, there are certain events covered by this insurance. This insurance covers a wide range of veterinary expenses for accidents, like:
- Broken bones.
- Sprains.
- Poisoning.
- Soft tissue trauma.
- Lacerations.
- Exotic pet insurance covers veterinary bills for illnesses like:
- Arthritis.
- Diarrhea.
- Eye injuries.
- Foreign body ingestion.
- Mouth rot.
- Upper respiratory infection.
- Allergies.
- Cancer.
- Ear infections.
- Feather picking/loss.
- Internal parasites.
- Overgrown teeth.
- Also, exotic pet insurance covers veterinary services like:
- Avian-specific diagnostic tests.
- Hospitalizations.
- Treatments.
- Diagnostic tests such as biopsies, blood tests, urinalysis, and radiographs.
- Prescription medication.
- Surgeries.
Purchasing accident-only insurance will not cover your pet’s veterinary bills related to illnesses. However, buying both accident and illness pet insurance coverage will offer wider coverage for your exotic pet.
Does It Cover Routine Care?
Meanwhile, this insurance does not cover routine care. Pet owners are required to get pet wellness insurance plans to cover costs for routine care such as vaccinations and yearly vet exams. You may be able to purchase a wellness plan for routine care for your exotic pet. This wellness plan can be purchased as a single insurance plan instead of an add-on. For instance, the Mint Wellness plan offered by insurance companies covers other types of expenses for every type of pet, including exotic pets.
What Does Exotic Pet Insurance Not Cover?
Just like every other pet insurance policy, this insurance also has events it does not cover. These exclusions include:
- Cost of breeding.
- Unrelated vet care costs.
- Elective procedures.
- Orthodontics.
- Vet examinations, routine care, and vaccinations.
- Boarding or transportation costs.
- Congenital or hereditary diseases.
- Diseases that are preventable by vaccination.
- Food and supplements.
- Pre-existing illnesses.
- Surgical removal of reproductive organs, and so on.
Aside from events, some types of exotic pets are not covered by this insurance. These exotic pets include:
- Species that require a license, registration, or permit from the state.
- Threatened or endangered species.
- Species kept in flocks or on display.
- Illegally owned species.
- Non-domesticated species.
- Poisonous or venomous species.
These pets are not covered by the policies, nor can they be insured.
How Much Does Exotic Pet Insurance Cost?
Depending on a few factors, pet insurance prices vary. From Nationwide Insurance Company, this insurance costs less than $12 per month. The factors that determine your cost include:
- Yearly coverage amount.
- Pet type.
- Location.
Using these factors, insurance companies will determine how much they will charge you for coverage. Also, using these factors, insurance rates and quotes are determined.