Exotic pet insurance is designed specifically for pets that aren’t dogs and cats. Some companies include birds in their exotic pet coverage, while others have their own separate bird insurance policies. Exotic pet insurance can cover many different animals, including guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, amphibians, rabbits, reptiles, mice, potbellied pigs, miniature goats, and more.
While pet insurance for exotics covers many veterinary costs, most plans exclude expenses like elective procedures, DNA testing, and pregnancy or breeding-related issues. Your insurance will also exclude pre-existing conditions, which are issues your pet was experiencing or was diagnosed with before you bought your insurance.
Exotic pet insurance coverage will depend on the specific plan you choose, but most plans include coverage for major medical issues like accidents, injuries, illnesses, unexpected surgeries, medications, and diagnostic tests like x-rays.
Most exotic pet insurance policies are reimbursement policies, meaning you will need to pay for your pet’s veterinary bill in full. Then, you can file a claim with your insurance company. You will probably need to submit a copy of your paid, itemized invoice, and possibly a copy of your pet’s veterinary records. Once your claim is approved, your insurance company will reimburse you for the portion of your pet’s veterinary costs that your policy covers.
Several factors affect the cost of exotic insurance, including your pet’s age, species, breed, health history, and your location. Features of the plan, like the reimbursement percentage, deductible amount, and any add-ons will also impact your exotic pet insurance cost.
Caring for an exotic animal can be expensive, especially if you have to take your pet to a specialist. An unexpected health issue or injury can cost thousands of dollars, and you might find yourself trying to balance your pet’s health needs with what you can afford. Exotic pet insurance gives you peace of mind, since you’ll have some help covering your pet’s vet bills and can get your pet the care they need.
To find the exotic pet insurance plan that’s best for you and your pet, it’s best to compare quotes from multiple companies. You can get a free exotic pet insurance quote online today. When you get quotes, you can compare not only the costs of the policies, but can also consider how their coverage, exclusions, deductibles, policy limits, and pet age limits differ.
Paige Cerulli Paige Cerulli is a freelance content writer and journalist who specializes in personal finance topics. She graduated from Westfield State University and brings more than a decade of professional writing experience to the ConsumerCoverage team. Paige’s work has appeared in outlets including USA Today, Business Insider, and more.
