Do you own an exotic pet? For that matter, do you even consider your pet to be “exotic”? If so, you may want to invest in exotic pet insurance.

What Is An Exotic Pet?

This may come as a shock, but according to pet insurance companies, any pet that is not a dog or a cat is considered to be an exotic pet.

This means the list of pets that are considered to be exotic is a very long one. It includes those small, furry and lovable rodents such as hamsters, guinea pigs, mice and chinchillas. There are lizards, birds, pigs, fish and even snakes.

Why Exotic Pet Insurance?

The reasons why you might buy exotic pet insurance have mostly to do with the nature of the pets themselves. Each of the different species has different needs and different potential health problems. For example, lizards are tough and have very long life spans. As a result, their healthcare issues tend to revolve around feeding and nutrition. On the other hand, birds are very fragile creatures and their health issues mostly have to do with accidents and injuries. Fish are beautiful but delicate. They can get sick or even die just because a new fish was introduced into their environment.

Do You Need Exotic Pet Insurance?

There are several factors to take into consideration before buying exotic pet insurance. First, how long will you have your pet? Do you have a long-lived pet such as a lizard, with a life expectancy of more than 20 years? Pet insurance might make sense as that iguana or monitor lizard could require a lot more care over its lifetime than a short-lived pet.

How much did you pay for the pet? This may seem a little heartless but let’s face it, goldfish that cost you $1.00 just do not have the same value as a $1,500 tropical bird.

How old is the exotic pet? The older the animal gets, the more likely it will get sick or require some kind of medical attention. As a result, the cost of exotic pet insurance rises the older your pet becomes. This can be a key point if you have some type of reptile as many of them, especially turtles and snakes, have a very long life span.

How easy would it be to get veterinary care for your exotic pet? Most vets treat only dogs and cats. Depending on where you live, you might not be able to get any vet care for your exotic pet. This means you need to check with a couple of vets in your area about exotic pet care before you buy a policy. For that matter, it’s a good idea to talk with a couple of local vets before you even buy an exotic animal.

Who Sells Exotic Pet Insurance?

There are companies in the UK that offer exotic pet insurance such as fairinvestment.co.uk, exoticdirect.co.uk and petplan.co.uk. However, here in the U.S., the only company that sells coverage for a variety of exotic pets is VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance). It offers bird insurance, as well as insurance on amphibians, reptiles, pocket pets and more. Beyond this, it’s best to contact the organization for your type of exotic pet. These associations share information freely which can save you a lot of research time and effort. For example, Pot bellied pig owners can check out www.pigs4ever.com to get contact information and then detailed information about insurance for pot bellied pigs.

Tips For Buying Exotic Pet Insurance

Here are some things to think about when buying exotic pet insurance.

  • Exotic pet insurance is typically more expensive than other types of pet insurance, so it is important to get quotes from a wide variety of sources.
  • There are fewer options for insuring exotic pets than cats or dogs. This can make it tough to find insurance for specific species.
  • If your exotic pet is very rare, some insurance providers will recommend you also insure it against theft.
  • Not all policies cover wellness visits or other routine forms of veterinary care. Be sure to read the policy carefully to make sure it either does or does not cover wellness care.
  • Some insurance providers limit coverage for chronic illnesses for some types of exotic pets. Again, if your pet is prone to any chronic illness, make sure it is covered by the plan you are considering.

Buying exotic pet insurance isn’t easy. But if you use a little know-how and a lot of common sense, finding a policy that will cover your exotic pet can be both straightforward and affordable. Just make sure that before you sign up for that insurance, you carefully review the policy so that you will know exactly what it is you’re buying.

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