image of a tortoise staring straight ahead
Lifespan of a turtle or tortoise
Turtles and Tortoises are animals that have a long lifespan with many of them even living decades and some even...
Read moreExotic pet insurance Australia
Cover for your reptile, turtle, bird or small mammal, with a range of policy options packed benefits.
- 3 levels of exotic pet insurance cover to choose from
- Claim up to $6,000 vet fees
- Up to $1 million third party liability insurance
- Accidental injury cover
We appreciate exotic pets are just as much a member of the family as cats and dogs. We know how vet bills can quickly add up when illness or injury strikes your much-loved reptile, turtle, bird, or other exotic animals. Petcover with its insurance partners offer exotic pet insurance cover for veterinary fees, including alternative and complementary treatment, advertising and reward in case of a missing pet and much more.
Two small love birds perched on a branch, one green and peach-colored looking at the other, which is mostly green with a white face.
Our exotic pet insurance policies can include
- Veterinary fees – Covers the cost of veterinary treatment for injury and illness.
- Alternative or complementary treatment – Includes cost of examinations, consultations, tests, prescribed medications, and vet-recommended therapies.
- Advertising and reward – Pays for advertising costs and rewards paid to recover your pet if stolen or missing during the policy year.
- Third party liability – Covers compensation and legal costs if your exotic pet causes damage, injury, or death during the policy year.
- $75 or $175 fixed excess – Non-refundable amount you must pay for covered claims depending on species.
- Waiting periods:
- Injury: No waiting period
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- Illness: 21 days
- Diagnostic examinations – Covers MRI, NMRI, CT, or CAT scans up to the maximum benefit.
- Referral hospital or specialist vet – Provides for specialist vet treatment referred by your primary vet, up to the maximum benefit.
Small tortoise held by a child with both hands
Get an exotic insurance quote today
Looking for flexible cover for your exotic pet? We’ve got plenty of options to suit different needs. Grab a quick quote today and see how much you could save.
Read the Target Market Determination (TMD) documents to ensure our policies fit your needs. These documents explain who the policy is for and how it should be used, so you don’t end up with cover that’s not right for you.
Policies bought on or after 20 August 2024:
Exotic Pet Insurance TMD
Policies bought between 30 June 2023 – 19 August 2024
Exotic Pet Insurance TMD
Exotic pet insurance FAQs
What types of exotic pets can I insure?
You can insure a variety of legal-to-own exotic pets, including reptiles (like bearded dragons and geckos), turtles, birds (such as parrots, macaws, and cockatoos), and small mammals like guinea pigs, ferrets, and rats. However, it’s important to note that the laws around exotic pets vary greatly between states in Australia. For example, ferrets are only permitted in certain states and are illegal to own in others. We can only provide cover for pets that are legal to own in your state.
What levels of exotic pet insurance cover are available?
There are three levels of cover: Premier, Plus, and Value. They differ in maximum vet fee limits, the excess you pay, and the optional extras included.
Are alternative or complementary treatments covered?
Yes. Treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, physiotherapy, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy, and osteopathy may be covered up to a certain limit, depending on which pet insurance policy you choose.
What is an “advertising and reward” cover?
If your exotic pet is lost or stolen, you can claim for the cost of advertising and for any reward you offer to help find them, up to your policy limit.
Does the policy include third party liability cover?
Yes. If your pet causes injury, illness, or property damage and you are legally liable, third party liability cover is included, up to $1 million per incident.
Are there waiting periods?
Yes. Illness cover has a 21-day waiting period, while cover for accident or injury starts immediately.
What age limits apply?
You can insure your pet within the following age ranges:
Birds: 12 weeks – no age limit
Reptiles: 8 weeks – no age limit
Turtles/Tortoises: 12 weeks to 50 years
Small mammals: 8 weeks to 5 years
What excess will I have to pay?
A fixed excess applies per claim. For example:
Birds and reptiles: $75 or $175, depending on the plan
Small mammals: $125 or $225, depending on the cover selected
Are specialist or referral vet fees covered?
Yes. If your vet refers your pet to a specialist, you can claim for those costs up to your policy limit. You’ll need to pay the set excess plus any percentage contribution required (for example, 30%).
Are advanced diagnostics like MRI or CT scans covered?
Yes, some policies include advanced diagnostic tests such as MRI or CT scans, subject to limits and co-payments.
Is dental care included?
For small mammals, some policies include dental cover. For other exotic pets, dental care is not usually covered unless stated in your policy.
Is there cover for birds of prey not returning while flying?
Yes. Birds of prey fitted with telemetry tracking may be covered if they fail to return or cannot be recovered, typically for 50% of the purchase price or market value.
Are there multi-pet discounts?
Yes. If you insure three or more pets, you may be eligible for a multi-pet discount.
How do I make a claim?
You’ll need to submit a claim form along with your vet’s invoice and any supporting documents. Full details are outlined in your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).