Exotic pet insurance can prevent you from paying out-of-pocket for vet costs if your bird, rodent, reptile or amphibian needs medical care. Like pet insurance for cats and dogs, it covers accidents, illnesses and more.
If you’re thinking of buying exotic pet insurance, it’s wise to learn how coverage works, which companies offer it and how much it costs, so you know what to expect while shopping for a policy.
Which Animals Qualify as Exotic Pets?
There is no standard definition of “exotic pet,” but vets typically consider an exotic pet to be any animal other than a dog, cat or farm animal. That means the term can be a cat call phrase for fish, birds, turtles, insects, arachnids, reptiles and rodents, such as hamsters and guinea pigs.
It’s important to note that some types of exotic animals are commonly excluded from coverage. These can include:
- Endangered species
- Flocks
- Offspring born from a domesticated pet and a wild/non-domesticated species
- Poisonous or venomous species
- Species that are illegal to own under federal or state law
- Species that require a license, permit or registration by federal or state law
What Is Exotic Pet Insurance, and How Does It Work?
Exotic pet insurance helps pay for your pet’s illnesses and accidents as stipulated by your policy. If your pet receives care from a licensed vet for a problem covered by your policy, you submit a claim and are reimbursed, as long as you pay your monthly premium.
Your insurer will reimburse you based on the coverage limits you chose when you purchased your policy.
These usually include:
- A deductible, or the amount you pay before your exotic pet insurance goes into effect.
- A reimbursement percentage, or how much your insurer pays for expenses once you meet your deductible, usually ranging from 50% to 90%.
- An overall annual maximum coverage limit, such as $5,000 or $10,000.
What Does Exotic Pet Insurance Cover?
The types of medical treatment covered by exotic pet insurance vary by policy, but can include the following:
- Arthritis
- Dehydration/constipation
- Diarrhea
- Diagnostics, such as blood tests, biopsies and radiographs
- Eye and skin infections
- Excessive egg laying
- Feather pickling/loss
- Hospitalizations
- Internal parasites
- Liver disease
- Low blood calcium levels
- Overgrown teeth
- Prescription medication
- Soft tissue trauma
- Systemic bacterial infections
- Respiratory infections
Which Companies Offer Exotic Pet Insurance?
Exotic pet insurance isn’t as widely available as standard pet insurance. Still, you can find coverage from the following companies.
MetLife
MetLife pet insurance offers accident and illness coverage for exotic pets.
For exotic pets, deductible options are $0 to $2,500. The maximum annual limit offered for exotic pet coverage is $10,000. The available reimbursement levels are 50%, 70%, 80%, or 90%.
MetLife exotic pet insurance is only available in Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Wellness coverage is not offered. Call (855) 421-7277 for a quote or help buying a policy.
Nationwide
Nationwide pet insurance offers an avian and exotic pet accident and illness plan. They offer reimbursement amounts of 50%, 60%, 70% and 80%, depending on your state. Wellness care is not covered. Call (888) 899-1111 to get a quote.
Pet Assure
Unlike Nationwide and MetLife, Pet Assure’s coverage for exotic pets covers only preventive care and doesn’t cover accidents and illnesses. You can buy coverage for your exotic pet through Pet Assure’s Mint Wellness plan. They cover fecal tests, routine blood work, wellness visits and vaccinations.
There are three levels of coverage:
- Basic costs $18 a month and has a maximum annual coverage limit of $350.
- Essential costs $34 a month and has a maximum annual coverage limit of $650.
- Premium costs $57 a month and has a maximum annual coverage limit of $1,100.
How Much Does Exotic Pet Insurance Cost?
The cost for exotic pet insurance from Nationwide generally starts at less than $21 a month, according to the company’s website. What you’ll pay depends on:
- Annual coverage amount
- Type of pet
- Veterinary costs where you live
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