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Your ferret, iguana, parakeet, or tortoise might not seem so exotic to you. In fact, you might consider it part of the family –  just as cat and dog owners often think of their pets as fur babies. However, when it comes to getting pet insurance for your bird, reptile, amphibian, or small mammal, it is considered exotic in the eyes of insurers.

The best exotic pet insurance reimburses you for certain costs of medical care if your exotic pet has an accident, injury, or illness. Since only a few insurance companies offer coverage for exotic pets, you need to understand the ins and outs of exotic pet insurance.

Learn more: How does pet insurance work? A complete guide.

Editor’s note: Most pet insurance providers solely cover cats and dogs. Of the lenders we reviewed, MetLife was the only one to offer insurance for exotic pets as well. Nationwide offers exotic pet insurance, and Pet Assure also offers a wellness plan that reimburses routine exotic pet care expenses.

MetLife is one of the few insurers that provides coverage for animals like birds, reptiles, and other exotic pets. Details about these policies aren’t widely published online, but when we contacted MetLife’s customer service team, they helped answer our questions about how coverage works. If you have an exotic pet and want to explore insurance options, it may be worth calling to ask about your pet specifically.

MetLife also ranked highest in our analysis for the best pet insurance discounts.

Pros

One of the few exotic pet insurers

Customizable annual coverage options

Flexible deductibles and reimbursement levels

Cons

Lower annual coverage limits than some cat and dog policies

Not all exotic species are eligible

Must request a quote to confirm eligibility

Annual coverage options: $2,000, $5,000, $10,000

Deductible options: Fully customizable

Waiting period: 14 days

Availability: Select states across the Midwest, South, West Coast, and Northeast

Learn more: MetLife pet insurance review

If your pet needs medical treatment, you can use a veterinarian of your choice, then submit a claim to be reimbursed for expenses your policy covers. Typically, you’ll be required to include a detailed invoice from your vet visit and your pet’s medical records with your claim.

To be clear, not all medical expenses are covered, and the reimbursement you receive is determined by the following:

Annual deductible. This is the amount you must pay for your pet’s medical expenses before insurance starts providing reimbursement.

Reimbursement percentage. This is the portion of your vet bill the insurer will pay for covered expenses once you’ve met your deductible. For example, Nationwide offers reimbursement options of 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80% for its exotic pet insurance plans.

Maximum annual benefit. This is the total amount your insurance will pay each year for all claims.

Example: Let’s say your pet swallows something and the vet bill is $1,000 to remove it. If your deductible is $300 and your reimbursement rate is 80%, you would be reimbursed $560 (1000 - 300 x 80%).

“Exotic pet” is a term used to describe animals that aren’t domesticated. Technically, an exotic animal is a wild animal that comes from a different continent than where you live, according to the American Humane Society.

For insurance purposes, pets other than cats and dogs — birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals — are considered to be exotic pets. Whether your specific exotic pet will be covered depends on the insurance company. But here are a few examples of what some pet insurers offer:

Amphibians and reptiles

Birds

Ferrets

Goats

Hedgehogs

Opposums

Pigs

Rabbits

Small rodents

Amphibians and reptiles (including lizards, snakes, and tortoises)

Birds

Ferrets, hedgehogs, rodents, and other small mammals

Goats

Guinea pigs

Mini pigs

Every member of the animal kingdom is covered under its wellness plan.

Endangered or threatened species

Fish

Horses

Livestock

Endangered or threatened species

Poisonous or venomous species

Species kept in flocks

Species that are hybrids of domesticated and wild animals

Species that are illegal to own or require a permit, license, or registration by state or federal law

The types of conditions and treatments that are covered can vary depending on the type of pet and insurance company. In general, though, exotic pet insurance covers costs related to the following:

Bladder infections

Cardiovascular disorders

Dehydration and constipation

Diagnostic tests

Diarrhea and gastrointestinal disorders

Emergency dental treatment

Excessive egg laying

Eye infections

Infectious diseases

Internal parasites

Medications

Prescription food

Skin and shell disorders

Upper respiratory infections

Nationwide offers wellness coverage only for birds, which can help cover the cost of physical exams, beak trims, wing trims, nail trims, parasite tests, parasite prevention, parasite treatment, and more, according to a Nationwide spokesperson. Pet Assure doesn’t cover unexpected accidents or illness, but its Mint Wellness plans provide reimbursement for routine care, such as wellness visits, vaccinations, blood work, fecal tests, and dental care.

Learn more: Your guide to what pet insurance covers

Like pet insurance for cats and dogs, exotic pet insurance generally won’t cover preexisting conditions. A preexisting condition is typically defined as a condition your pet showed signs of, was diagnosed with, or was treated for before the start of your policy or during the waiting period.

However, if your pet has a curable condition and has been symptom-free for a certain period of time, the insurer might cover the condition. For example, Nationwide allows policyholders to request reviews of preexisting conditions that have been cured.

Also, exotic pet insurance typically doesn’t cover:

Routine preventive care

Cosmetic and elective procedures

Grooming

Injuries or illnesses resulting from neglect or intentional acts

Injuries or illnesses resulting from commercial use of an animal or racing

Obedience training

Learn more: Does pet insurance cover vaccines? 

The average pet insurance cost was $85 per month for a $5,000 annual limit and $144 for unlimited annual coverage, according to our analysis.

The cost of exotic pet insurance can vary depending on the amount of coverage you choose, as well as your location and the type of pet you have.

MetLife pet insurance policies are customizable, so prices vary, according to a MetLife spokesperson. Call 1-877-570-1173 for a quote.

Nationwide states on its website that plans start as low as $9 a month, but the most popular plans are about $20 a month. Call 1-844-397-8937 for a quote.

Pet Assure offers three Mint Wellness plans:

Basic reimburses up to $350 in care costs for $18 a month

Essential reimburses up to $650 in care costs for $34 a month

Premium reimburses up to $1,100 in care costs for $57 a month

Learn more: How much does pet insurance cost?

Because each company evaluates risk differently, the price for exotic pet insurance can vary from one insurer to another.

Here are some of the most common factors insurers consider when calculating pet insurance premiums:

Pet species (bird, reptile, rabbit, ferret, etc.)

Breed or type of animal

Age of the pet

Location (veterinary costs vary by region)

Coverage limits selected

Deductible amount

Reimbursement percentage

Pre-existing conditions

Overall health history

Learn more: Cheapest pet insurance

Exotic pet insurance can be harder to find than traditional dog or cat coverage, but the right policy can still help manage unexpected veterinary costs. Here are some tips to help you find the best coverage for your pet.

Not all insurers cover every exotic animal. Some companies insure birds and rabbits but exclude reptiles or amphibians.

Before comparing plans, confirm that the insurer covers your specific pet. This can save time and prevent surprises later in the quote process.

Coverage limits can vary widely with exotic pet insurance. Some policies offer annual limits such as $2,000, $5,000, or $10,000, but others may offer more customization options.

Pay attention to reimbursement percentages and deductibles as well. A lower premium might come with a higher deductible or lower reimbursement rate, which could increase out-of-pocket costs if your pet needs treatment.

Exotic pets could require specialized veterinary care by exotic animal specialists. Review the policy carefully to understand what’s included. Some plans cover accidents and illnesses only, with the option to add on optional pet wellness plans for routine care.

Pet insurance policies typically have waiting periods before coverage begins. MetLife has a 14-day waiting period for illness coverage and no waiting period for accidents and injuries. Nationwide states that coverage for most plans begins after a 14-day waiting period.

Learn more: Pet insurance with no waiting period: How it works 

Even if only a few insurers offer exotic pet insurance, it’s still worth comparing quotes. Coverage options, deductibles, and reimbursement rates can vary from one provider to the next.

Exotic pets can have different medical needs compared to domesticated pets like cats and dogs. Plus, illnesses and conditions can vary greatly depending on the species. Some common medical problems exotic pets have include:

Abscesses

Bladder stones

Feather picking and loss

Foreign body ingestion

Intestinal issues

Mouth rot

Pneumonia

Yes, both MetLife and Nationwide allow pet owners to cancel their policies. If you cancel a MetLife policy within 30 days and haven’t filed any claims, you’ll get a full refund of your premium. With Nationwide policies, you can get your money back if you haven’t filed any claims and cancel within a certain period of time that varies by state, ranging from 10 to 30 days.

Owning certain exotic pets can pose risks because their behavior can be more unpredictable. If your pet were to injure someone else, you could be on the hook for their medical bills or potentially face legal action. Exotic animal liability insurance can help cover these costs.

For example, Prime Insurance and XInsurance offer liability policies that will cover costs if your exotic pet injures someone or damages their property. And it will help cover legal costs if you go to court. Pets covered include big cats and monkeys in addition to birds, rabbits, reptiles, and other more common nontraditional pets.

The cost of care for an exotic pet can be more expensive than care for a cat or dog, according to the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation. Plus, vets are less likely to provide care for exotic pets. As a result, exotic pet owners might have to travel longer distances to get care for their animals — adding to the overall cost of pet ownership.

Learn more: Is pet insurance worth it? How to decide.

Because it can help offset the cost of unexpected accidents and illness, and the wellness plan from Pet Assure can cover routine care costs, exotic pet insurance might be worth the cost. Consult with your vet to understand what care expenses you might face with an exotic pet to determine whether exotic pet insurance makes sense for you.

Tim Manni and Jamie Young edited this article

See our MetLife pet insurance review with cost comparisons, coverage details, and more.

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