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Key points

  • Exotic pets like birds, turtles and rabbits may be more expensive to treat than dogs and cats.
  • Nationwide sells exotic pet insurance.
  • You’ll want to buy exotic pet insurance while your pet is healthy so there are no pre-existing conditions that will be excluded from coverage.
  • Exotic pets will likely benefit the most from a pet health insurance plan that covers both accidents and illnesses.

Most people think of pet insurance as exclusively for dogs and cats. But if you own a bird, reptile or other animal, you may want to consider exotic pet insurance. 

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 8.25 million Americans own at least one pet bird. Exotic pets, such as birds, reptiles and pocket pets, often require specialized medical care and the veterinarians treating these animals are often specialists with advanced training. Just as in human health care, specialized doctors and more advanced equipment will likely cost more.

The best pet insurance can help pay for diagnostics, treatment, surgery and many other costs associated with a pet’s illness or injury. 

Here’s what to know as you shop for exotic pet insurance. 

How does exotic pet insurance work?

Exotic pet insurance functions like regular pet health insurance. Specific details of the plans differ based on a few factors, but in general, you pay a monthly premium and the insurance company agrees to cover some of the cost of needed veterinary medical care. Typically you pay the veterinarian at the time of service and the insurance company reimburses you an agreed-upon amount or percentage.

Some factors that affect the insurance premium for exotic pets include the type of pet being covered, the pet’s age and health status and which plan you choose.

These plans typically cover injuries and illnesses, as well as annual examinations, lab work, prescription medications, diagnostic testing and hospitalization. You want a plan in place in case an emergency comes up, so you can focus on the care of your pet rather than how you will pay for its treatment.

Expert tip: You should consider getting insurance when your pet is healthy, so there are no pre-existing conditions that will be excluded from coverage.

How much does exotic pet insurance cost?

Exotic pet insurance from Nationwide starts at less than $21 a month, according to the company website. Your cost will depend on the type of pet you have and the coverage amounts you choose. 

If your employer offers Pet Assure as a part of your work benefits, you can use it to get discounts on vet bills for your bird, monkey or even llama.

Which animals are covered by exotic pet insurance?

Exotic pet insurance generally includes coverage for:

  • Amphibians.
  • Birds.
  • Chinchillas.
  • Ferrets.
  • Goats.
  • Guinea pigs.
  • Hamsters.
  • Hedgehogs.
  • Iguanas.
  • Mice.
  • Mini pigs and goats.
  • Snakes.
  • Sugar gliders
  • Turtles.

What does exotic pet insurance cover?

Exotic pet insurance plans can cover diagnostics and treatment for illness or injury, laboratory fees and any required hospitalization. 

Exotic pets will likely benefit the most from a pet insurance plan that covers major accidents and illnesses. The medical care costs for exotic pets in these urgent situations can be very high, especially when specialty veterinarians and hospitals, advanced diagnostics and hospitalization are required.

What isn’t covered by exotic pet insurance?

Exotic pet insurance will typically not cover any pre-existing conditions the pet has prior to the purchase of the plan. This means if your exotic pet is already suffering from an illness or injury, the policy you purchase will likely not cover any medical costs related to that illness or injury.

Other pet care costs that are not typically covered by exotic pet health insurance include:

  • Food.
  • Habitat supplies.
  • Grooming, bathing or nail and beak care.
  • Boarding fees.

There may be some exceptions to these exclusions, especially in the event that the care is recommended by a veterinarian, or the needed item is a prescription.

Expert tip: Always verify which services and items are covered prior to purchasing an exotic pet insurance plan.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Dr. Jamie Whittenburg is a practicing veterinarian with over 15 years of experience caring for pets. Her writing on pets, veterinary care, and finance has been published in multiple publications, including The Bark.com and Pet News Daily. Dr. Whittenburg works with cats, dogs, and small exotic animals. She has a special interest in feline medicine and surgery. In 2013, she opened her own practice, Kingsgate Animal Hospital in Texas, where Dr. Whittenburg offers comprehensive animal care including dental and surgical services.

Heidi Gollub

BLUEPRINT

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.