Owning an exotic pet can be a unique experience, but just like a cat or dog, exotic animals can face unexpected health issues that require veterinary care. Exotic pet insurance offers support for your exotic animal’s medical treatment, helping to alleviate the financial burden.
What does exotic pet insurance in Australia cover?
Exotic pet insurance is a specialised form of coverage tailored to the unique health needs of non-traditional animal companions, such as birds, lizards and rabbits. Having exotic pet insurance can prepare you for unexpected medical expenses and provide coverage for different aspects of your pet’s care. Cover may include:
- Veterinary fees: covers costs for treating injuries and illnesses.
- Specialist costs: assists with costs for treatment from a specialist veterinarian.
- Diagnostic tests: covers expenses for certain diagnostic tests.
- Dental care: for example, dental check-ups, cleaning and treatments.
- Advertising and reward expenses: covers advertising costs and rewards if your exotic pet is lost or stolen.
- Third-party liability: covers compensation and legal expenses if your pet causes damage or injury.
Are there any limitations or exclusions on exotic pet insurance?
When considering exotic pet insurance, it’s crucial to be aware of any potential limitations in cover. Exotic pets have unique needs and circumstances that can impact their insurance coverage. Here are key considerations to keep in mind:
- Pre-existing conditions: pet insurance policies often do not cover health issues your pet had before the policy’s start date.
- Age limits: insurance for exotic pets may have age restrictions.
- Waiting periods: the waiting period is a set amount of time that must pass before coverage becomes active for specific conditions or treatments.
- Location-specific coverage: your location within Australia can impact your exotic pet’s insurability. Certain regions have restrictions on keeping specific animals as pets – for example, in Queensland you cannot keep rabbits as pets.
- Annual limits and benefit percentage: most insurance policies come with annual coverage caps and may only reimburse a percentage of eligible expenses for your pet’s medical care.
- Excess: this is the predetermined amount you need to pay per claim before insurance coverage kicks in.
- Limited availability: the unique nature of exotic pets means insurance options may be limited.
Top tips for saving on your exotic pet insurance
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Start coverage early
Getting insurance for your exotic pet when they’re young and healthy can result in lower premiums. This way, you're covered before any potential health issues crop up, giving you financial peace of mind.
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Embrace preventative care
Staying on top of preventative measures can save you money in the long run. Regular vet visits, vaccinations and proper nutrition can help prevent costly health issues, reducing the need for extensive treatments.
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Investigate excess and benefits
Take a close look at the excess – the money you pay before the insurance kicks in – and the benefit percentage. Choosing a higher excess or lower benefit percentage can lower your monthly costs. Just remember, you might have to pay more out of pocket if you need to make a claim.
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Bundle policies
If you have other insurance policies, inquire about bundling them together. Many insurers offer discounts for combining different types of insurance or covering multiple pets under a single plan.
