It’s nice, it’s different, it’s unusual: pet insurance for exotic animals
If you own an exotic pet, the chances are you spent quite a bit of money to buy them, or to acquire the applicable licenses to even have them in your home.
If you are in the United States, then you need to bear in mind that laws about exotic pet ownership change from state to state. And treating these types of pets can end up in hefty vet bills, especially as not all veterinarians treat exotic pets.
To help alleviate the cost of exotic pets, consider purchasing a pet insurance policy that will cover any issues that might happen while they are with you. Learn about the advantages of pet insurance for exotic pets and why it could be a good investment for you.
Pet insurance will help pay the costs of unexpected illness or surgery
When it comes to exotic animals, illnesses or unexpected surgeries can end up being quite expensive, especially if you do not already have a pet insurance plan.
Even for dogs and cats, which are some of the most commonly owned types of pets, radiation therapy for a dog with cancer can cost thousands of dollars, according to Care Credit.
Many people in the United States struggle enough as it is with their own health insurance costs, let alone have enough disposable income on hand to cover a multi-thousand dollar vet bill that is unexpected.
Some of the costs that may arise when you own an exotic pet include:
- Tortoises may end up with mouth rot, fungus, and other problems that reptiles commonly get. You may have to travel to find a vet that can treat these issues.
- Macaws, while beautiful, may end up being destructive to your home. They need lots of attention and can lash out in anger when they do not get it. That can be a liability for you as their owner if they bite someone at your home.
- A kinkajou has a very specific diet of certain fruits and if you feed it the wrong type, you could be staring at a hefty vet bill.
Make sure that you compare insurance plans and coverage
These issues can add up to quite a bit of money for you as a pet owner, so you may want to explore various insurance policies to determine which may be the best fit for you.
Check the annual deductible, coverage options, illness coverage especially for cancer treatment, vaccination coverage, and more. Not all pet insurance plans will cover your exotic pet and it may be beneficial to compare plans on iSelect.
Petcover is one pet insurance company to check out if you are in Australia, as they provide coverage for macaws, parrots, birds of prey, reptiles, and more. Other things to check for in the insurance policy and policy terms include:
- Check to see how much they will cover in the event of emergency surgery or emergency care.
- See if they provide any kind of wellness rewards program.
- Read about their routine care coverage for preventative care, regular vet appointments, exam fees, and vaccinations.
- Review the policy for anything about pre-existing conditions or chronic conditions as some will not cover those.
- Look for any kind of possible discount or reimbursements.
- Ask about the possibility of comprehensive coverage or an umbrella policy.
- Inquire about a mobile app for your convenience.
With exotic animals, make sure you always visit a licensed veterinarian. The initial sticker shock of the price of treatment may make alternative care seem attractive, but you want to ensure that your pet is being treated by the best.
On the other hand, if you’re also taking care of a cat or a dog, you should definitely get them insured as well. State Farm is a popular and reliable pet insurance for cats and dogs, so you might want to check them out if you have these lovable furbabies at home.
Additionally, pet insurance providers will often only cover treatment by a licensed vet and you could end up paying more money in the long run without that pet insurance coverage.
