Yes, you can get pet insurance for birds. Pet insurance plans are now available for all types of pets, including exotic animals like birds.
Why get pet insurance for a bird?
There are several reasons why bird owners may want to purchase pet insurance:
- Birds can be susceptible to many illnesses that can be expensive to treat. These include respiratory infections, gastrointestinal issues, tumors, and more.
- Wellness coverage can help cover the costs of routine veterinary care like annual exams, lab tests, and vaccinations.
- Accident coverage can help pay for emergency vet bills if your bird is injured by flying into a window or other hazards.
- Bird specialty vet care can be very expensive. Exotic pet insurance can help cover these costs.
- Birds are known for masking illnesses. Insurance can provide peace of mind knowing you can afford any needed treatment.
Pet insurance helps bird owners budget for surprise veterinary expenses and access the best care for their feathered friends.
What kinds of birds can you insure?
Most pet insurance companies that offer exotic animal plans will cover popular pet bird species like:
- Parakeets
- Cockatiels
- Conures
- Macaws
- Parrots
- Finches
- Canaries
Coverage may also be available for pigeons, doves, chickens, ducks, geese, and other domesticated bird species when kept as pets.
What is typically covered by bird insurance?
Bird pet insurance plans often include the following types of coverage:
Accident & illness coverage
This helps pay veterinary treatment costs for illnesses, injuries, surgeries, hospitalizations, lab tests, medications, and more. Some plans have per incident limits.
Avian & exotic vet fee coverage
Birds often require specialized exotic veterinary care. This coverage helps pay the higher cost of bird specialty vets.
End of life expenses
Plans may include euthanasia, cremation or burial coverage to help cover end of life costs for your bird.
Wellness coverage
Helps pay for routine preventive care like annual bird exams, lab tests, grooming, vaccinations, and preventive dental cleanings.
Emergency boarding
If you are hospitalized, this pays for boarding costs for your bird.
Lost bird advertising
Covers the costs for advertising and rewards to find a lost bird.
Veterinary exam fees
Covers vet consultation fees for licensed veterinary clinics.
What is not covered by bird insurance?
Some exclusions and limitations on bird pet insurance plans include:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Breeding or conditions related to breeding
- Elective cosmetic procedures
- Experimental treatments
- Preventive veterinary care (unless you purchase wellness coverage)
- Costs related to training, grooming (unless you purchase wellness coverage), boarding (unless you purchase emergency boarding coverage)
Be sure to read the fine print to understand exclusions before enrolling your bird.
How much does bird pet insurance cost?
The cost of pet insurance for birds depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Species – Larger parrots typically cost more to insure than smaller birds
- Age – Young birds are cheaper to insure than senior birds
- Location – Costs may vary by where you live and vet prices in your area
- Deductible amount – Plans with higher deductibles have lower premiums
- Reimbursement percentage – Plans with higher reimbursement rates have higher premiums
- Coverage limits – Higher coverage maximums raise premium costs
- Insurer – Rates vary between pet insurance providers
That said, bird owners can often expect to pay $10-$30 per month to insure their pet bird. Certain large parrot species may cost $40 or more per month. Wellness coverage also increases monthly premiums when added to a policy. Getting a quote from insurers is the best way to determine the exact cost for your bird.
Top 5 pet insurance companies that cover birds
Here are 5 top insurers where bird owners can get coverage:
Insurer | Starting Premium | Notable Features |
---|---|---|
Nationwide | $12/month | All types of birds covered. Exotic vet fee reimbursement. Multiple wellness add-ons. |
Healthy Paws | $15/month | All avian species covered. No upper age limits. Online claims. |
ASPCA | $9/month | Accident & illness coverage for birds. Holistic care included. |
Petplan | $10/month | Covers birds with pre-existing conditions. Emergency boarding included. |
Embrace | $13/month | Diminishing deductible rewards claims-free years. End of life expenses covered. |
We always recommend comparing multiple pet insurers before choosing coverage, as rates and features can vary.
How to file a claim for your bird
The process of filing an insurance claim for your bird will depend on the provider, but generally involves these steps:
- Pay your vet bill in full to receive an itemized receipt and medical records.
- Submit a claim form to your provider, detailing the condition treated, dates of treatment, and vet expenses.
- Attach the itemized invoice from your vet and any diagnostic notes, lab results, or other records.
- Your claim is processed, which may take 2-4 weeks.
- You receive reimbursement for covered expenses, minus your deductible and coinsurance.
Many insurers now offer online claim portals and apps to make this process fast and simple for pet owners.
Tips for finding the best bird insurance
Follow these tips when shopping for the right bird pet insurance policy:
- Look for an insurer that specializes in exotic pets like Healthy Paws or Nationwide.
- Make sure your specific bird species is covered, including any pre-existing conditions.
- Look for accident & illness coverage with high annual limits ($5,000+).
- Consider wellness coverage for preventive vet care expenses.
- Check for any limitations on specialist or emergency vet fees.
- Compare premium costs across multiple insurance providers.
- Look for fast, easy claims reimbursement.
- Read reviews from other bird owners on the insurer.
Purchasing the right avian pet insurance plan can provide valuable protection against unpredictable and costly bird illnesses and injuries. With a quality policy, bird owners gain financial peace of mind knowing they can access top-tier veterinary care when their feathered friend needs it most.
Conclusion
Bird owners now have access to specialized pet insurance plans designed to cover the unique healthcare costs of avian species. From cockatiels to macaws, pet insurance helps makes vet care affordable in case of accidents, illnesses, and other surprise pet health expenses. When shopping for bird insurance, look for accident & illness coverage tailored to birds from trusted insurers. Purchasing pet insurance can be a wise investment in your bird’s health and give you financial protection for one of your most treasured family members.