Most people insure their dog or cat with pet insurance. This is not surprising given that 67 percent of American homes, or about 85 million, have a pet. According to a breakdown, 42.7 million of them own cats, 63.4 million have dogs, and 28.7 million possess birds, fish, or other small animals. Only 1.6 million people keep horses as pets.
Finding information on protecting Fido or a pet against injury or illness is not difficult, but what about Einstein, your Vietnamese fat pig? It’s true—there is pet insurance available for animals “other than dogs and cats.” simply grip the location where you want to appear.
Exotic animals, birds, and horses
Any pet that isn’t a dog, cat, or giant is either an exotic animal or a vertebrate (bird) for insurance purposes. Equine insurance covers horses as a different kind of animal.
Numerous avians, reptiles, amphibians, and tiny mammals are covered by Nationwide, the only company in the U.S. that now offers coverage for birds and exotic pets. Horse insurance is offered by Nationwide Alternative and several other companies.
Comparison shopping is not an option because Nationwide is the only insurance provider for avians and exotic pets. An alternative to Nationwide’s exotic pet insurance is provided through various coverage options, membership-based veterinarian discount plans, and medical credit cards.
Breeds and Species Not Allowed
It appears that Nationwide doesn’t cover all avians and exotic pets. They include any species found in the groups mentioned above.
- Poisonous or venomous
- Vulnerable or in risk
- Required by state or federal law to possess a permit, license, or registration
- Hybridizing domesticated animals with non-domesticated species is forbidden
- Stored in flocks
Technically, equestrian insurance is available to all horse breeds. However, several criteria, such as the animal’s age and health history, may disqualify it or make insurance value preventative.
There are no species exclusions when it comes to non-insurance options like membership discounts or medical credit cards, including those for avians or exotics. Underwriting doesn’t come into play because these don’t seem to be insurance policies but rather credit accounts or discount schemes.
Costs of veterinary care
Some avians and exotic animals require more specific care than dogs and cats do, necessitating more coaching and research on the side of the veterinarian. This could raise the worth of care along with the length of the animal’s life. Others admire how much attention is given to pets and animals.
For instance, according to Nationwide, the most expensive medical care for birds is for feather picking and loss, which costs $305 on average. Dehydration or constipation are the only ailments that require medical attention in small mammals. On average, that procedure costs $483.
Dehydration or constipation are the only ailments that require medical attention in small mammals. On average, that procedure costs $483. The most common and expensive therapy for internal parasites in reptiles and amphibians costs around $72. Comparing such numbers to those for dogs or cats reveals that the cost of care is similar.
State to state will have different rules and regulations. By calling the company, you may obtain the most accurate information.
Rules and Regulations
Nationwide offers exotic pet insurance on a compensation basis, which means you pay up front and get reimbursed typically within a week or so.
When any deductibles or copays exceed annual or per-incident levels, 8 covered treatments and procedures reimburse 90 percent of the approved amount.
Nationwide’s exotics coverage includes a tenth co-pay (90 percent reimbursement) and a $50 per unrelated incident deductible, with a maximum $2,000 per incident. There is a maximum annual payout of $7,000 per covered animal and no maximum lifespan.
What is lined up
Generally speaking, Nationwide’s insurance for birds and exotic pets includes both medical care and surgery for illnesses and injuries. For injuries, fractures, skin/shell/feather diseases, cancers, and microbial infections, this includes examinations, lab expenses, medications, X-rays, and hospitalization.
What isn’t lined
The vertebrate and exotics policy from Nationwide doesn’t cover prior conditions, like the majority of pet insurance policies do. Various exclusionary circumstances include:
- Conditions that develop during the waiting period
- Hereditary and congenital conditions
- Conditions included in the profit schedule for ex-directories
- Breeding or circumstances surrounding breeding
- Fees for grooming, vitamins, minerals, pet food, special diets, boarding, and transportation
- The removal of deciduous teeth, odontology, polishing, and orthodontics
- Any benign or malignant endocrine tumors or endocrine hyperplasia’s of any kind in ferrets, as well as their surgical treatment or accompanying excision
Animal Insurance
Equine (horse) insurance, as previously mentioned, differs significantly from craniate and exotic insurance due to the size, cost, and complexity of the animal’s care, in addition to other factors.
While normal care could only cost $400 to $600 per year, intestinal colic surgery can cost up to $10,000. Equine insurance is offered by numerous specialized insurers nationwide.
Your horse will be covered by equine insurance in the event that it becomes ill, passes away, is no longer useful, or damages property or other things in addition to hurting people. Within the broad category of equine insurance, there are numerous types of horse insurance.
Your animal is protected from crime or death from certain causes by mortality (life) insurance. The majority of insurers mandate that you get mortality insurance.
You can add medical (sickness), colic, surgery, liability, and even physiological state coverage to mortality coverage. Sometimes death covers the entire cost of the horse. Alternative insurance has deductibles and occasionally co-pays.
The age, breed, use, and price of your horse all affect how much mortality insurance will cost. A preliminary estimate of worth can be obtained by multiplying the horse’s purchase price by three dimensions. For instance, the annual value of the mortality insurance for a horse valued at $25,000 is $700. Additional insurance like as liability, medical, and colic would up the cost.
Alternatives for Pet Insurance
Veterinary membership discount programs and medical credit cards are the primary alternatives to standard canine, feline, or horse pet insurance. Both do not entail underwriting, tests, or any of the other conditions that are associated with insurance, and neither is insurance.
However, there are important considerations to make before choosing to take advantage of one of those options.
Discount memberships for veterinarians
Plans for discounted veterinary care, like Pet Assure, offer a discount on all services rendered at a participating veterinarian’s office. In terms of coated breeds and species, Pet Assure claims there are no exclusions supported by age, breed, or sort of pet, and each in-house medical service is subsidized. Only non-medical care is excluded. Both hereditary and prior conditions are included.
The size of the animal is sustained by monthly membership fees. A ferret, for instance, would be considered a small animal, and the monthly cost would range from $7 to $10 depending on whether you paid annually or monthly. On the other hand, a fat pig would be considered an oversized animal and cost you between $8 and $12 a month.
Credit Cards for Medicine
Medical credit cards with no monthly fees, such as Care Credit and Wells Urban Center Healthy Advantage, don’t offer a discount. They are basically medical expense-specific credit cards.
While medical credit cards are only available to veterinarians who accept them, discount schemes are only available to participating physicians.
Otherwise, they will be applied to any veterinary surgeon’s medical treatment fees. These cards frequently provide exceptional offers that include lengthy periods of time without paying interest for a significant fee.
Review your decisions
In the end, it’s up to you whether or not to insure your unusual or exotic pet. Your options are limited if you choose to have coverage. You can choose to continue working with Nationwide for insurance on birds and exotic pets, or you can choose one of the other options.
If your friend is a horse, you have a wide range of insurance providers to choose from; otherwise, you can choose to stick with one of the many excellent options available. Keep in mind that horse medical insurance may consistently cost more than it would for any other animal.
Although handy, a 25 percent discount is not nearly as helpful as compensation.