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The rewards of sharing our lives with our pets are vast. They provide companionship, comfort, and emotional support. They also bring genuine happiness into our lives: have you seen just how many funny or heart-warming pet videos go viral online? Some studies go as far as to suggest pet people live longer than their more boring, pet-less counterparts.
However, pet ownership also comes with responsibilities. We’ve said this before, but it bears repeating–if you’re thinking of getting a reptile as a pet, you should consider carefully whether you’re ready to make a lifelong commitment to someone who will be dependent on you for everything. From small things like head scratches and attention to big things like health and survival, it’s all on your plate.
The Biggest Expense in Pet Ownership
While reptiles are certainly prone to fewer illnesses than your typical cat or dog, veterinary bills traditionally make up the largest portion of what pet owners spend money on (next to food). You may have already accounted for some of the run-of-the-mill veterinary expenses, like check-ups. However, accidents and diseases usually fall into the category of unexpected expenses, and many pet owners find themselves financially unprepared for them. Thankfully, the pet insurance industry seems to keep growing and is now more commonplace and accessible than ever–even for exotic pets like reptiles!
The animal insurance industry has really blown up in the past decade. However, it actually has a rich, hundred-year long history. Back then, most policies were written to protect farm animals. In fact, the first American dog to have health insurance was the beloved dog film star, Lassie! But nowadays, there are a lot of lucky dogs (and cats and birds and snakes) out there with families that want to make sure they’re doing all they can for them.
Pet insurance is an effective way of “budgeting” for emergency veterinary expenses. Is it right for you and your pet though? That’s another matter entirely.
What Does Nationwide Exotic Pet Insurance Cover?
If you want coverage for your reptile or other exotic pet, your options are limited to just Nationwide. This exotic pet insurance plan covers accidents and illnesses as well as checkups, lab test fees, prescriptions, X-rays, hospitalization, and more for your exotic pet. If you’re particularly finicky about your reptile, it can give you the most peace of mind. If you’re serious about considering this option, you’ll want to be clear on several key points:
- What are the annual benefit limits?
- What are the lifetime benefit limits?
- How much is the deductible?
- What percentage of each bill does the policy cover?
If you can, structure each quote you request the same way–all with the same benefit limits, deductibles, and co-pay percentages.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
In truth, there’s no easy and responsible answer to that question. Pet insurance premiums may vary a lot based on a number of factors. These include the type of pets you have, their age, and your location. You’ll be asked to provide these details when you request a quote. One last thing: don’t forget to ask about multi-pet discounts if you’re lucky enough to share your home with more than just one pet!