Pet Insurance?

Hello everyone,
Does anyone have pet insurance for their bird? I see that Nationwide has coverage for birds.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks 😊

Most people don’t. The cost of insurance usually outweighs any benefit you’d get back. It’s usually smarter to just set up a savings account for vet emergencies.

I have pet insurance for albie. I pay £18 a month fot full cover on him, which also includes cover for death, escape and theft. He's also covered. For life which means if he gets a long term illness like arthritis or diabetes, he will be covered for the long term treatment. For the cover I get (5k per condition) I personally feel its well worth it. Yes, I may not need to use and that would be amazing, but, if I did need it, I'd only need to pay out £35 to the vet and the vet would then claim it directly from my insurance (not all vetts do this). £35 is easier for me to find and pay up than several hundred or even a few thousands.

Thank you for your input.
Stich I don't know how pounds translate into US Dollars but I agree with what you wrote. The vet visit will be $120 and that does not include trimming of the claws and beak! So yes I would rather pay over a period of time rather than trying to pay for everything all at once.

What is the name of your insurance company?

I don't have pet insurance for my birds.
I do have insurance for my cat, but not for my birds. I don't think it's worth it. It's better to just save money in case of emergencies.

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ParrotLover2001 said:

I don't have pet insurance for my birds.
I do have insurance for my cat, but not for my birds. I don't think it's worth it. It's better to just save money in case of emergencies.

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I hear ya its only 27 dollars a month and you get about 75% back with a $250 deductible. It's hard to put money aside for anything when you live in NYC! LOL

joliny718 said:

I hear ya its only 27 dollars a month and you get about 75% back with a $250 deductible. It's hard to put money aside for anything when you live in NYC! LOL

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Oh I hear that. My parents are paying for almost everything and yet I don't have a lot saved! I seriously don't know where all my money goes *cough* things I don't need. *cough*

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Here’s the problem is the insurance

1) there’s a lot of loopholes that ensure you won’t get a payout or covered. You’ll most likely still be on the hook.

And 2) ok, your paying $120 for the vet visit. But paying $27 a month*12 months = $324 a year to the insurance company...for what’s likely subpar coverage (see item 1 above).

Would you rather have that extra $200 in your account or with the insurance company? We aren’t talking human level care here requiring insurance to cover $70k hip replacements.

This is why I told you: most parrot owners don’t bother. You’re better off saving your money.

There’s a reason there’s only a single company in the US who covers exotics. It’s a complete racket.

Save your money.

Hi,
Thanks for the advice. First time owning a bird and since he flew onto my balcony I have no idea if he/she has any health issues. I had a dog who had health issues and he had to take medication. Anyway if they pay back some of my expenses Im good with that. I would rather be cautious and if i don't feel that it is worth it I'll cancel after a year.

Devil's advocate here....

Are they really loopholes or is it more a case of the policy not being read through with a fine tooth comb, or the wrong policy being bought because ethe owner picks the cheapest option?

My policy clearly states that routine appointments are not covered and that albie is not covered for free flight at all. He is covered for going out side but only if he is in a harness or a sutible travel cage.

Also the type of policy plays a big part in what's covered. Accident only is just that, covers accidents but not illness

Annual policies will only cover conditions and illness for 12 months from the onset of symptoms and then not covered after that. So if your pet is admitted for vomiting and needs fluids, it will be covered for 12 months but after that, if say it has another bout 2 years later it will not be covered.

Lifetime policies Cover the Pet for life and Covers each condition for life. You will have a set limit of x amount (5k for albie) either for the whole year or per condition. Albie's is per condition. Once you use up that pot that's it for the remainder of that policy year until it renews the following policy year. I only need to pay £35 per condition should an issue arise.

I can afford a routine trip to the vets with him, but of I needed an emergency appointment because albie is unwell, I have peace of mind knowing that he is covered for the cost of say, a Chinese take out each month.

I've done the maths, for the cover albie has, the amount I pay annually doesn't come close to the 5k. So to me, at the price of £18 a month for the top level of cover is well worth the peace of mind knowing I won't be on a position where its a choice between albie getting the treatment he needs but it comes from other bills and have to make that awful choice.

I used to work in a veterinary surgery and more often than not, those loop holes were in actual fact exclusions on an annual policy or a pre existing condition that's excluded because the owner has changed policy provider or because the owner hadn't read through their policy properly and it clearly stated they wasn't covered for x treatment (Oliver wasn't covered for Dental surgery) or because their treatment limit was used up.

When I purchased albie, my husbands job was temp and we didn't know if he was going to be made permenant or not. If he was let go, there is no way I could afford any significant treatment for albie on my wage alone. The insurance gives me peace of mind in this regard.

joliny718 said:

Thank you for your input.
Stich I don't know how pounds translate into US Dollars but I agree with what you wrote. The vet visit will be $120 and that does not include trimming of the claws and beak! So yes I would rather pay over a period of time rather than trying to pay for everything all at once.

What is the name of your insurance company?

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The name of my company is exotic direct but they are a UK company so I don't know if they would cover you over seas

joliny718 said:

Hi,
Thanks for the advice. First time owning a bird and since he flew onto my balcony I have no idea if he/she has any health issues. I had a dog who had health issues and he had to take medication. Anyway if they pay back some of my expenses Im good with that. I would rather be cautious and if i don't feel that it is worth it I'll cancel after a year.

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If s/he has any health issues before you get insurance it probably won't be covered. Most insurances don't cover pre existing conditions

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