Pet owners often say, “Furries are family too.” But when you’re shopping for insurance for your family, you may not have thought about it – turtles, parrots and even goats can be insured! The U.S. pet insurance market is expanding rapidly, with coverage far beyond traditional perceptions. This article reveals which pets can be insured, which will be denied coverage, and teaches you the most cost-effective ways to protect your “off-the-wall” pets.
I. Basic: full coverage for dogs and cats
At present, 90% of the pet insurance in the United States for ** cats and dogs **. Whether the breed is a common Labrador, Siamese cats, or “expensive” French bulldogs, Ragdoll cats, almost all insurance companies accept insurance. However, you need to pay attention to the following limitations:
- Age Threshold: Most companies require pets to be at least 8 weeks old and the maximum age for insurance is 14 years old (some companies such as Pumpkin accept lifetime insurance).
- Breed Differences: Premiums for high-risk breeds (e.g., Pitbull, Rottweiler) may go up 20%-50%.
- Mixed Breed Advantage: Hybrid dogs and cats usually have 15% lower premiums than purebred pets due to less risk of genetic diseases.
Cost Reference:
- Dogs: $30-$100 per month (about $30 for small dogs, $80+ for large dogs)
- Cat: $15-$50 per month
II. Advanced version: Rabbits, birds and climbing pets can also be insured.
If you have a “non-dog or cat” pet, Nationwide is the insurance company that covers the widest range of species. Its Exotic Pet Insurance includes:
- Rabbits: 90% reimbursement for surgery for gastrointestinal blockage (average cost $2,000)
- Parrots/Finches: Feather pecking treatment is covered (about $800/treatment)
- Turtles/Lizards: 70% reimbursement for pneumonia treatment (~$600)
- Hamster/Colobus: Overgrown Teeth Trimming Surgery ($150-$300)
Price Comparison:
- Rabbits: $12-$25 per month
- Parrots: $8-$15 per month
- Reptiles: $10-$20 per month
III. Special Case: Farm Animals and “Unconventional Pets”
In 2023, the demand for farm animal insurance in the U.S. increased by 37%. The following special species also have the opportunity to be insured:
- Goats/Sheep: covered hoof infection treatment ($120-$400/visit)
- Mini pigs: covers arthritis management (~$600/year)
- Snakes (non-venomous species only): skin infection treatment covered
- Ornamental Fish: some companies cover emergency treatment for water poisoning
However, this type of coverage usually requires a customized plan and has strict limitations:
⚠️ Does not cover animals used for production purposes (e.g. dairy goats)
⚠️ High-risk species such as venomous snakes and tarantulas are generally denied coverage
IV. 4 types of pets explicitly excluded from coverage
Even if the insurance company accepts the application, these cases may be rejected:
- Wild animals: e.g. squirrels retrieved from the forest (unless with a domestication license)
- Animals used in commercial races: e.g. horse racing, cockfighting
- Pets with pre-existing serious chronic illnesses: illnesses diagnosed within 6 months prior to policy enrollment
- Pets in violation of local ordinances: e.g. honeybush flying squirrels banned in New York City, etc.
V. 3 Steps to determine if your pet can be insured
1. Check the list of species
Visit the “Eligible Pets” page on the insurance company’s website, for example:
- ASPCA: Dogs and cats only
- Pet Assure: accepts rabbits, birds and reptiles (but is a discount program, not insurance)
2. Assess age and health
Prepare veterinary records within the last 1 year, which will be verified by the insurance company:
- Whether vaccinations are regular
- Any birth defects
- Any major surgeries in the past
3. Compare exclusions
Exotic pet insurance policies often have special limitations:
- Parrot insurance may not cover flight training injuries.
- Rabbits may have a $200 deductible for treatment of “gastrointestinal stagnation”.
—Rabbits may have a $200 deductible for “gastrointestinal stasis” treatment.
VI: When Insurance Doesn’t Apply
If your pet is not covered, try these ways to reduce your medical risk:
1. Prepaid Health Plans
Some veterinarians offer “yearly packages” such as:
- $300/year: includes 2 checkups + vaccines + deworming (suitable for small pets such as hamsters)
2. Assistance from non-profit organizations
- House Rabbit Society: provides subsidized surgeries to rabbit owners
- Avian Welfare Coalition: subsidizes emergency medical treatment for birds
3. Self-built medical fund
Deposit $20-$50 per month into an exclusive savings account, more flexible than insurance (suitable for pets with low expected medical expenses).
VII. Industry trends: which pets will be covered in the future?
According to the 2024 U.S. Pet Insurance White Paper, these changes are happening:
- Insects: beetles and praying mantises are increasing in number of keepers and are already insured in Japan
- Hybrid animals: demand for wolf-dog mix (Wolfdog) insurance is on the rise
- Cloned pets: a few companies have begun offering special terms for cloned cats and dogs
Summary: Choose according to your needs and don’t spend a fortune
Pet insurance coverage boundaries are widening, but the key remains matching needs:
- Cat and dog owners → choose regular insurance, focus on genetic disease clauses
- Owners of exotic pets→prioritize Nationwide, confirm breakdown of disease coverage
- Farm animals → consult a local agricultural insurance broker
No matter what kind of pet you have, remember these three things:
- The earlier you enroll, the cheaper it is (young pets have the lowest rates)
- Compare updates annually (new companies may expand covered species)
- Prevention is better than claims (regular checkups save big bucks)
