Exotic pet insurance

Exotic pets are getting more popular in the UK. In fact, around 5% of UK households have reptiles, that's up 3.4% compared to 2023.

It's a common misconception that some exotic pets are easy to keep. But they have unique care needs to keep them healthy. They can also get illnesses and injuries like any other pet.

Paying for treatment out of your own pocket can mount up. So it's good to have a back up so you know you can pay to keep them healthy. That's where exotic pet insurance comes in. It covers a portion of your vet bills so you're not paying for the treatment all by yourself.

Scroll on to see what else exotic pet insurance can help with.

Our 3 top tips for buying exotic pet insurance:

• Before you buy, check your policy's small print to see exactly what's covered. Common exclusions are things like pre-existing conditions.
• Check what type of insurance you're getting. You can choose from lifetime, maximum benefit, time limited or accident only. Maximum benefit and lifetime pet insurance are usually more comprehensive.
• You need third-party liability insurance if you have a venomous or large snake as a condition of your licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.

Do I need exotic pet insurance in the UK?

It depends on your exotic pet.

If you have a small or non-venomous exotic pet, like a bearded dragon or a leopard gecko, pet insurance isn't a legal requirement. But it's a good idea.

Pet insurance can cover at least some of the price of vet treatments for your pet.

The rules are different if you have a venomous or large snake like a Python or Boa Constrictor. You need a licence to keep these from your local council.

That's because they're considered dangerous under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.

A condition of the licence is third-party liability insurance. You need this in case your pet escapes and injures someone, or causes damage.

All venomous snakes need a licence. Big snakes like Boas and Pythons generally do too, but it depends on the species. Make sure you check with your local council whether you need a licence for your snake.

Exotic pet ownership and the legalities

When we talk about exotic pets, we're talking about these species:

• Certain reptiles, like Bearded Dragons, Corn Snakes, Leopard Geckos, Pythons and Boas.
• Turtles, terrapins and tortoises.
• Birds, like African Greys, Macaws, Cockatoos and Budgies. Read our bird insurance page for more information on these.

On the whole, these are fairly common pet species in the UK, and their needs can usually be met in captivity.

But there are some species that aren't appropriate as pets that are often exported to the UK illegally.

The RSPCA has campaigned against ownership of some exotic pets, specifically primates for this reason.

In the UK, Marmoset monkeys are the most commonly kept and traded species of primate. These animals have specific needs that can't be met in a home environment. Because of this, pet insurance companies wouldn't cover this type of animal.

They also wouldn't cover any type of pet that was shipped to the UK illegally. When you're buying pet insurance, you have to give accurate information on your pet's origin. If they find out your pet was brought into the UK illegally, your pet insurance could be void (cancelled).

You'd also be liable if your pet escaped and injured someone, or damaged someone's property.

Why should I get insurance for my exotic pet?

Exotic pet insurance can help to cover some of the cost of unexpected vet bills.

But it's not just vet treatments. We know nothing can replace your pet, but pet insurance can pay out your pet's value if they're lost, stolen, or die unexpectedly.

Some policies also offer third-party liability for those more complex exotics (venomous and large snakes).

What does reptile insurance cover in the UK?

Reptile insurance covers everything that a normal pet insurance policy does, it's just specifically for reptiles. It usually covers these types of reptiles:

• Bearded Dragons
• Leopard Geckos
• Chameleons
• Monitor Lizards
• Corn Snakes
• Pythons and Boas
• King snakes
• Tortoises
• Terrapins
• Turtles

Some exotic pet insurers might not cover your reptile if they've had an illness in the last 3 months. But once they're illness-free and their treatment is over, you can insure them.

If your exotic pet has any pre-existing conditions (in a reptile's case, this could be metabolic bone disease or digestive disorders), these aren't covered by reptile insurance. In this way, it's the same as regular pet insurance.

Depending on the pet insurance you buy, any condition your pet develops should be covered. The only exception is accident-only insurance. It only covers your reptile if they get an accidental injury somehow.

Can I get insurance for my bearded dragon?

You can certainly get insurance for your bearded dragon. It's a great option, because any health conditions unique to bearded dragons should be covered.

Here are some common health issues that bearded dragons can have:

• Intestinal parasites
• Gastrointestinal impactions
• Metabolic bone disease
• Dystocia (stuck eggs)
• Eye infections and ulcerations
• Respiratory illnesses
• Skin Infections
• Trauma

If these conditions develop during your pet insurance policy, you should be covered for treatment, depending on the type of pet insurance you have.

Can I get insurance for my tortoise?

Yes! You can get exotic pet insurance for your tortoise. It'll cover most conditions specific to tortoises, as long as the conditions developed when the insurance was active.

Here are some common ailments for tortoises:

• Beak abnormalities
• Overgrown nails
• Shell abnormalities
• Respiratory infections or runny nose syndrome (RNS)
• Metabolic bone disease (MBD)
• Vitamin A deficiency
• Abscesses, shell infections and trauma
• Parasites and gut disorders
• Stomatitis (mouth rot)
• Sterile gut syndrome
• Gut parasites
• Dystocia (stuck eggs)

Tortoises are probably the longest living pet, they're often referred to as 'heirloom pets' as they can often outlive their owners.

Pet insurers usually insure pets for the whole life (depending on the type of insurance you choose) - so you know Shelly's covered for her lovely long life, no matter what age she is.

How much does exotic pet insurance cost in the UK?

The cost of exotic pet insurance depends on what type of exotic pet you have, and the type of insurance you want (lifetime, accident only, maximum benefit or time-limited). Accident only is generally the cheapest type of insurance, but it isn't as comprehensive as lifetime cover.

Here are a few tips for finding a good exotic pet insurer:

• Look at customer reviews and comments about claim handling
• Triple check what each policy covers - look at any exclusions or small print
• See if they offer any extras or perks like a 24-hour helpline or rewards