When it comes to pet insurance, most people think of coverage for dogs and cats. However, there is a growing need for insurance options for exotic pets, including pet birds. While still relatively rare, bird insurance is becoming more available to meet the needs of bird owners across the United States. In this article, we will explore the best bird insurance options available, as well as the importance of insuring your feathered friend.
How Much Do Pet Birds Cost?
Before we delve into bird insurance options, let’s first discuss the cost of owning a pet bird. The price of a bird can vary significantly based on factors such as rarity, species, and size. Here is a breakdown of average prices for different types of birds:
- Small birds: Prices range from $10 to $350. This category includes finches, parakeets (budgies), canaries, and parrotlets.
- Medium birds: Prices range from $20 to almost a grand. This category includes doves, cockatiels, conures, pionus parrots, and lories.
- Large birds: Prices can exceed $5,000. This category includes cockatoos, Amazon parrots, African Greys, and macaws.
It’s important to note that the cost of the bird itself is just the beginning of your expenses. You’ll also need to consider the cost of their habitat, food, supplies, and upkeep equipment. These additional expenses can range from $300 to $1,200 in total. Additionally, veterinary bills are inevitable, as birds, like all pets, can experience health issues. We’ll discuss the cost of treating certain medical conditions later in the article.
What Do Birds Suffer the Most From?
Birds are more prone to diseases and injuries than cats and dogs, making it crucial to stay informed about potential threats to their wellbeing. Injuries can occur when birds accidentally collide with walls, ceiling fans, mirrors, or windows, leading to fractured limbs, wing injuries, bleeding, or trauma.
In terms of diseases, one common concern is the avian flu. However, it primarily affects birds raised for food consumption rather than pet birds. The main threat to pet birds is parasites, which can be passed from owners, other animals, or food. Other conditions, such as polyomavirus, psittacosis, and proventricular dilatation, can cause severe internal organ damage and potentially lead to death. Recognizing the symptoms early and seeking veterinary attention is essential to prevent these outcomes.
What’s Covered by Bird Insurance?
Bird insurance provides coverage for veterinary expenses related to accidents, injuries, illnesses, escape or theft, examinations, lab fees, prescriptions, X-rays, hospitalization, and routine care. With bird insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that you will be reimbursed for veterinary bills if your bird falls ill or gets injured.
To give you an idea of potential costs, let’s look at the top 10 bird conditions and their average treatment costs:
- Feather picking/loss: $305
- Excessive egg laying: $396
- Soft tissue trauma: $210
- Diarrhea: $251
- Runny nose: $265
- Liver disease: $395
- Internal parasites: $41
- Upper respiratory infection: $328
- Dehydration/constipation: $240
- Arthritis: $178
Considering that birds can live for many years, potentially surpassing the lifespans of cats and dogs, the financial impact of frequent vet visits can be significant. Bird insurance provides a safety net that helps mitigate these costs.
Where Can I Get Insurance for My Bird?
While the options for bird insurance are limited compared to those for cats and dogs, there are still viable choices available. One standout option is Nationwide, which offers Bird & Exotic Pet Insurance. They are the only company in the United States that provides avian insurance. Let’s take a closer look at their coverage:
- A flat deductible of $50 per incident
- 90% reimbursement on vet bills after a 10% co-pay
- Reimbursement limits for each diagnosis and procedure based on a benefit schedule
- Worldwide coverage in any veterinary clinic
- 14-day waiting period
- No lifetime payout limit
- Maximum payout per incident: $2,000
- Maximum annual payout: $7,000
Nationwide also offers Avian Supplemental & Routine Care Coverage, which includes wellness and preventive care for your bird. It can be added to your Avian & Exotic Pet Plan during enrollment and has no deductible.
It’s important to note that Nationwide has certain exclusions. They won’t cover birds that are endangered or threatened species, venomous or poisonous, mixtures of domesticated and wild/non-domesticated species, illegal to own by federal or state law, or require a license, permit, or registration.
Bird Insurance Alternatives
While bird insurance options are limited, there are alternative ways to ensure financial assistance for your bird’s needs. These alternatives provide assistance but are not comprehensive insurance plans.
Pet Assure
Pet Assure offers a 25% discount at participating veterinary clinics across the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada. With Pet Assure, there are no exclusions for pre-existing and hereditary conditions. Every in-house check-up or treatment receives a 25% discount, excluding prescribed medication. Pet Assure has no deductibles, no payout limits, no age limits, and no waiting periods. They also offer a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Wells Fargo Health Advantage
Wells Fargo Health Advantage is a credit card that can be used to pay for your bird’s medical expenses. It covers illnesses, emergencies, wellness procedures, pre-existing conditions, and hereditary conditions. The credit can be paid off over time, and Wells Fargo Health Advantage offers competitive APR rates. While they don’t provide information on which clinics accept their program, a quick call to your preferred clinic can confirm their participation.
CareCredit
CareCredit Veterinary Financing is a medical credit card designed specifically for veterinary services. It is accepted at over 225,000 healthcare institutions nationwide and covers preventive care, wellness, accidents, and illnesses. Pre-existing and congenital conditions are not excluded. There are no deductibles, waiting periods, or age and size restrictions for bird coverage. CareCredit works like any other credit service, with interest rates applied to the amount borrowed for your bird’s medical bills.
What’s the Monthly Cost of a Bird Insurance Plan?
The cost of a bird insurance plan depends on the size of the bird:
- Small birds (lighter than 50 grams) start at $6.65 per month.
- Medium-sized birds (50 to 300 grams) have a monthly fee of $9.50.
- Large birds (301 grams to 10 kilograms) are priced at $12.35 per month.
- Extra-large birds (heavier than 10 kilograms) pay $15.68 per month.
Nationwide’s Routine Care Coverage for Birds costs $99 for a 12-month policy term. Adding additional birds to your policy earns a 15% discount on their monthly premium. Pet Assure offers a 25% discount for $9.95 per month, or $16.95 per month for 2-4 birds on the same plan. For more than 4 birds, Pet Assure offers a plan for $21.95 per month. Wells Fargo Health Advantage and CareCredit don’t have entry or monthly charges but charge interest on the loaned amount.
Do I Really Need Bird Insurance?
Birds, just like any other pets, deserve proper care and protection. While we may not always think about their needs as much as our own or those of our loved ones, it’s essential to be prepared for unexpected veterinary expenses. Bird insurance is an affordable way to ensure that your feathery companion can receive the necessary care without causing a significant financial burden.
Conclusion
Canaries, cockatiels, and cockatoos deserve the gift of medical insurance, just like we would gift ourselves. Luckily, bird insurance options are available at affordable prices. Nationwide is an excellent choice for comprehensive coverage, while Pet Assure provides discounted veterinary services. Wells Fargo Health Advantage and CareCredit offer alternative financial assistance solutions. Take the time to explore these options and choose the one that best suits your bird’s needs. After all, our feathered friends deserve to tweet happily.
FAQs
What’s the best bird insurance on the market?
The best bird insurance option depends on your specific requirements. If you don’t mind a higher monthly premium that covers most of your bird’s needs and pays out a significant portion of your vet bills, Nationwide is a solid choice. Alternatively, Pet Assure provides discounted veterinary services without the need for traditional insurance coverage.
Can you get bird insurance on an exotic pet insurance policy?
Yes, in limited cases. Nationwide is currently the only known insurance provider that includes bird coverage in their Avian and Exotic Pet Insurance plan. However, if you come across another company offering policies for exotic pets, it’s worth exploring their coverage options.
Will I get reimbursed if my parrot flies away?
Yes, Nationwide provides coverage for lost, stolen, missing, or deceased birds resulting from accidents or illnesses.
Does my bird insurance plan activate immediately upon enrollment?
Nationwide requires a 14-day waiting period from the moment of enrollment before you become eligible to submit a claim. This waiting period applies to both accidents and illnesses. However, Pet Assure, Wells Fargo Health Advantage, and CareCredit allow immediate use of their services after registration.
Is my birdcage covered by bird insurance?
No, bird insurance only covers the living bird listed on the insurance policy. To obtain coverage for your birdcage and other associated equipment, you would need to consider a renters or homeowners insurance policy, noting that they may not cover the birds themselves.
