Best Pet Insurance for Exotic Pets (2024 Guide)

Written by Brenda Woods Updated 12/03/2024

Brenda Woods

Brenda Woods is an accomplished writer and managing editor with more than two decades of publishing experience. She has spent over 10 years covering home services and home improvement projects. Brenda supports her team in evaluating dozens of home service providers, surveying and speaking to hom…

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Most pet insurance companies only cover dogs and cats, but they’re not the only pets that need vet care. Owners of birds, ferrets, rabbits, snakes, turtles, and other exotic animals also need help covering the costs of vet bills. Though the options are limited, there are a few providers that insure exotic pets.

We researched 20 of the best pet insurance providers to see which offered exotic pet insurance and what their policies include. See our top recommendations below.

Is Exotic Pet Insurance Worth It?

Insurance for your exotic pet isn’t necessary, but it can help you save on vet bills if the unexpected happens. You never know when your pet will get injured, show signs of an illness, or swallow an object and need immediate surgery that costs hundreds or even thousands of dollars. A pet insurance policy may not be right if you’re comfortable paying for these expenses as they arise. However, a pet health insurance plan may be a good idea if you feel more at peace paying a little monthly to save a large lump sum when something happens.

Who Are the Top Pet Insurance Companies for Exotic Pets?

Here are the top pet insurance providers based on our in-depth review:

• Best Exotic Pet Coverage: Nationwide
• Best Exotic Pet Insurance Alternative*: Pet Assure

*Pet Assure is not a pet insurance company but rather a discount program for vet care that includes exotic pets.

Nationwide Pet Best for Exotic Pet Coverage

4.7

Nationwide Pros and Cons

Pros Covers 22 species Has an A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating* Insures other items such as property and vehicles, so you can save by bundling policies Cons Requires payment for two months up-front Doesn’t allow you to get a quote online for exotic pets Can take up to 30 days to process claims

Overview

Nationwide is the only insurance company that covers exotic pets as of September 2023. We scored it 4.7 out of 5, based on the quality of its coverage and service. The company’s exotic pet plan doesn’t offer the same options and customization levels as its traditional plan for dogs and cats, but it does cover common vet treatments most exotic pets need.

• Deductible: $250
• Reimbursement rate: 70%
• Maximum coverage limit: $10,000

Learn more: Nationwide Pet Insurance Review

Why We Chose Nationwide

Though Nationwide is the only company that offers exotic pet insurance, its Avian and Exotic Pet Plan covers the basics. The plan covers both accidents and illnesses and reimburses customers for 70% of vet bills related to examinations, hospitalization, lab fees, prescriptions, X-rays, and more.

The following pets are covered:

• Amphibians
• Birds
• Chameleons
• Chinchillas
• Ferrets
• Geckos
• Gerbils
• Goats
• Guinea pigs
• Hamsters
• Hedgehogs
• Iguanas
• Lizards
• Mice
• Opossums
• Potbellied pigs
• Rats
• Rabbits
• Snakes
• Sugar gliders
• Tortoises
• Turtles

Pricing

Pricing is based on your pet’s species and age, as well as your location. Nationwide doesn’t provide sample quotes online for its exotic pet insurance plan, but a customer representative gave us a few quotes over the phone. Getting a quote by phone only took around 15 minutes, and we just had to provide some basic information about our location and the pet’s species and age.

Here’s what we were quoted per month for the following animals in the Raleigh, North Carolina area:

• Ferrets (4 years old): $33.59
• Iguanas (4 years old): $13.87
• Rabbits (4 years old): $49.79
• Snakes (4 years old): $13.87

Pet Assure

4.3

Pet Assure Pros and Cons

Pros Offers discounts for treating preexisting conditions Has an A+ BBB rating Has no waiting period Cons Is only offered through certain employers Is accepted at participating vet offices only You must use a discount card at the time of purchase for a valid claim

Overview

Pet Assure isn’t an insurance company. It’s a discount membership program some employers offer that allows you to use an ID card for discounts of up to 25% on common vet treatments when checking out at participating vet clinics across the United States. The plan includes exotic pets and applies to many common accident-and-illness-related vet care. We scored Pet Assure 4.3 out of 5 for its varied species coverage and straightforward program.

Since Pet Assure isn’t an insurance plan, it doesn’t have deductibles, reimbursement rates, or coverage limits.

Why We Chose Pet Assure

Though Pet Assure isn’t an insurance company, we thought it was valuable to include given how much it can save exotic pet owners on vet costs. The provider says it covers all pets and all ages with no exclusions. It also says it doesn’t have coverage exclusions. Your membership makes you eligible for discounts on any medical care from a participating licensed vet. No claims are denied, and there are no claim forms to fill out. You simply provide your ID card at vet checkout and reap the savings. You can use your card the day you get it.

Membership costs depend on your employer’s participation agreement, but we reviewed costs across 20 employers and found that monthly membership fees average around $10.

How Do Other Pet Insurance Companies Compare?

These insurers don’t offer exotic pet insurance but have great insurance for non-exotic pets.

Company	Star Rating	Monthly Cost	Coverage	Visit Site
Our Top Pick VISIT SITE	4.8	$23.22	accident and illness, wellness	VISIT SITE
VISIT SITE	4.6	$45.75	accident and illness, accident only, wellness	VISIT SITE
VISIT SITE	4.5	$43.29	accident and illness, accident only, wellness	VISIT SITE
VISIT SITE	4.7	$57.19	accident and illness, wellness	VISIT SITE
VISIT SITE	4.7	$48.65	accident and illness	VISIT SITE

How Much Does Exotic Pet Insurance Cost?

Nationwide is currently the only insurance company that covers exotic pets. Its rates vary depending on your pet’s species and age as well as your location. You’ll need to call the provider to receive a quote, but we found that rates average between $13 and $50 per month based on the quotes we requested. This aligns with the average cost of pet insurance for dogs and cats, which is typically $30 to $50 for dogs and $15 to $30 for cats.

What Is Exotic Pet Insurance?

Exotic pet insurance helps pet owners with less traditional pets save money on vet health care. It generally covers common vet care related to accidents and illnesses. If you have a pet insurance plan, you’ll pay out of pocket when you visit the vet. Then, you’ll file a claim with your pet insurance provider for that vet bill. If your provider approves your claim—meaning that your policy covers the vet service your pet received—your provider will reimburse you at your chosen rate via direct deposit or a mailed check.

Learn more about how pet insurance works.

What Does Exotic Pet Insurance Cover?

Nationwide’s exotic pet insurance plan covers all of what you’d get under a standard accident-and-illness plan for any pet type. That includes accidents, such as broken bones, cuts, swallowed objects or toxins, and other common injuries. It also includes illnesses such as allergies, arthritis, cancer, ear and eye infections, heart conditions, and respiratory infections.

Nationwide then breaks down its exotic pet coverage as follows:

What Doesn’t Exotic Pet Insurance Cover?

Nationwide’s exotic pet plans don’t cover the following:

Nationwide also won’t cover:

• Endangered species
• Hybrids of domesticated pets with wild species
• Species that are kept in flocks or on display
• Species that require licensure or permitting by law
• Species that are illegal to own by law
• Venomous or otherwise poisonous species

What Factors Should You Consider Before Buying Pet Insurance?

Consider these factors to get the best coverage at a cost-effective price:

• Budget: Pet insurance is supposed to help you financially. Don’t overextend with a plan that drains your wallet. Calculate how much your pet’s care will cost without insurance coverage and consider any illnesses it may be predisposed to. Weigh that against the cost of a policy. Opt for a standard plan without a lot of bells and whistles to keep costs low.
• Fine print: Most providers have a sample policy on their website. Read it carefully to understand their policies on preexisting conditions, exclusions, age limits, claim requirements, and more.
• Plan types and add-ons: Most providers have accident-and-illness plans, but some also offer accident-only and wellness plans. Review plans and available add-ons carefully to get the coverage you desire.
• Your pet’s needs: If your pet doesn’t need it, don’t pay for it. Look for a provider and plan that caters to your pet’s needs and any extras you prefer.

What Are Common Exotic Pet Laws?

Owning an exotic pet means abiding by certain laws and requirements. Most laws are set at the state and local levels, so check these government sites before purchasing your pet. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the import of exotic animals at the federal level to prevent foreign pests and diseases from entering the country. The USDA also encourages contacting your local humane society to understand how to care for your exotic pet properly.

Should You Get Insurance for Your Exotic Pet?

Unfortunately, exotic pet owners don’t have the same pet insurance options as those with dogs and cats. However, Nationwide and Pet Assure do provide ways to save money at the vet. Before enrolling in either, read coverage details carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered. We also recommend speaking with a representative to get a sample quote for your pet and answer any questions you may have.

If you have a dog or cat in addition to exotic pets, check out our guide on the cheapest pet insurance providers for more ways to save.

FAQs About Pet Insurance for Exotic Pets

Our Rating Methodology

We are dedicated to thorough, in-depth reviews of each product or service that we detail in our content. Determined to build trust with our readers through transparency, accuracy, and accountability, we’ve built a detailed rating system to score pet insurance brands. Included in this methodology are the following six factors with their respective scoring weights:

• Coverage (25)
• Plan options (20)
• Monthly cost (20)
• Company reputation (15)
• Customer service (10)
• Species eligibility (10)

Our researchers keep all data in each company’s score up to date, making any changes to our content when necessary to provide our readers with the most accurate information on relevant metrics, such as plan options, customer service, reputation, and monthly cost.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.