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How to earn your rabbit’s trust
The first thing most new bunny owners are tempted to do is pick up and cuddle their adorable pet.
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, rabbit 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.
To make things easy, we have three cover types: Premier, Plus, and Value. The comparison table below highlights the main differences, helping you choose the perfect option for you and your exotic pet.
Our exotic pet insurance policies
(No cover for small mammals)
Benefits
-
Veterinary fees (for the treatment of injury, accident or illness)
Cover for the cost of veterinary treatment your pet has received during the policy year to treat injury and illness.
Birds: up to $6,000
Reptiles: up to $6,000
Turtles: up to $6,000 -
Alternative or complementary treatment
Cover for the cost of any examination, consultation advice, test and legally prescribed medication or acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, physiotherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, osteopathy, recommended by your vet.
Up to $500
(within the veterinary fee limit, less 10% co-payment. Excess applies per condition, per calendar year) -
Advertising and reward
Cover for the cost of advertising, and the reward you have offered and paid to get your pet back if your pet is stolen or goes missing during the policy year. Refer to PDS for further information.
$500
(excess applies, per calendar year) -
Third party liability
Cover for compensation and claimant’s costs and expenses, and legal costs and expenses for defending a claim against you if property is damaged, or someone is killed, injured or falls ill as a result of an incident involving your exotic pet during the policy year and you are legally responsible.
Up to $1 million
(any one loss occurrence) -
Multi-pet discount (3+ eligible pets)
Cover the cost of multiple pets
-
Bird and reptile fixed excess
The non-refundable amount you will be required to pay for claims covered under this policy
$175 or $75
(per condition, per calendar year) -
Small mammal fixed excess
The non-refundable amount you will be required to pay for claims covered under this policy
–
-
Referral hospital or specialist vet fees
The cost of referral/specialist vet treatment up to the maximum benefit, if the pet is referred by a primary vet for treatment.
Fixed excess + 10% of eligible balance
-
Diagnostic examinations
Diagnostic examinations of magnetic resource imaging (MRI), nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) or computed axial tomography (CT or CAT). The cost of MRI, NMRI, CT or CA scans up to the maximum benefit.
Fixed excess + 50% of vet invoice(s)
-
Dental (small mammals only)
The cost of any single treatment, less the applicable Excess in each and every case, of any dental treatment.
–
-
Waiting periods
Is the initial period during which no benefit is payable for the mentioned conditions.
Illness: 21 days
Injury: No waiting period -
Age limits
The age range you can start cover for your pet.
Birds: 12 weeks – no age limit
Reptiles: 8 weeks – no age limit
Turtles/Tortoises: 12 weeks – 50 years
Optional extras
-
Loss from not returning whilst flying (birds of prey only)
Only available for birds over $300 Benefit is up to the purchase price/market value (Whichever is lesser) of the bird Excess is 50% of the determined value of the pet (must be fitted with telemetry tracking equipment)
50% of purchase price
or market value -
Death from injury or illness
Only valued for pets valued at $300 or over. Benefit is up to the purchase price or market value (whichever is lesser) (nil excess)
Up to the purchase price or market value
-
Loss from theft, fire, or weather perils (Not offered on mammals)
Not offered on small mammals & only available for pets over $300.
Only available for pets over $300. Benefit is up to the purchase price or market value. (Whichever is lesser) Excess is 10% of the determined value of the pet.
Benefits
-
Veterinary fees (for the treatment of injury, accident or illness)
Cover for the cost of veterinary treatment your pet has received during the policy year to treat injury and illness.
Birds: up to $4,000
Reptiles: up to $4,000
Turtles: up to $4,000
Small mammals: up to $4,000 -
Alternative or complementary treatment
Cover for the cost of any examination, consultation advice, test and legally prescribed medication or acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, physiotherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, osteopathy, recommended by your vet.
Up to $400
(within the veterinary fee limit, less 10% co-payment. Excess applies per condition, per calendar year) -
Advertising and reward
Cover for the cost of advertising, and the reward you have offered and paid to get your pet back if your pet is stolen or goes missing during the policy year. Refer to PDS for further information.
$500
(Excess applies, per calendar year) -
Third party liability
Cover for compensation and claimant’s costs and expenses, and legal costs and expenses for defending a claim against you if property is damaged, or someone is killed, injured or falls ill as a result of an incident involving your exotic pet during the policy year and you are legally responsible.
Up to $1 million
(Excess $500, any one loss occurrence) -
Multi-pet discount (3+ eligible pets)
Cover the cost of multiple pets
-
Bird and reptile fixed excess
The non-refundable amount you will be required to pay for claims covered under this policy
$175 or $75
(Per condition, per calendar year) -
Small mammal fixed excess
The non-refundable amount you will be required to pay for claims covered under this policy
$225 or $125
(Per condition, per calendar year) -
Referral hospital or specialist vet fees
The cost of referral/specialist vet treatment up to the maximum benefit, if the pet is referred by a primary vet for treatment.
Fixed excess + 10% of eligible balance
-
Diagnostic examinations
Diagnostic examinations of magnetic resource imaging (MRI), nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) or computed axial tomography (CT or CAT). The cost of MRI, NMRI, CT or CA scans up to the maximum benefit.
Fixed excess + 50% of vet invoice(s)
-
Dental (small mammals only)
The cost of any single treatment, less the applicable Excess in each and every case, of any dental treatment.
Fixed excess + 50%
-
Waiting periods
Is the initial period during which no benefit is payable for the mentioned conditions.
Illness: 21 days
Injury: No waiting period -
Age limits
The age range you can start cover for your pet.
Birds: 12 weeks – no age limit
Reptiles: 8 weeks – no age limit
Turtles/Tortoises: 12 weeks – 50 years
Small mammals: 8 weeks – 5 years
Optional extras
-
Loss from not returning whilst flying (birds of prey only)
Only available for birds over $300 Benefit is up to the purchase price/market value (Whichever is lesser) of the bird Excess is 50% of the determined value of the pet (must be fitted with telemetry tracking equipment)
50% of purchase price
or market value -
Death from injury or illness
Only valued for pets valued at $300 or over. Benefit is up to the purchase price or market value (whichever is lesser) (nil excess)
Up to the purchase price or market value
-
Loss from theft, fire, or weather perils (Not offered on mammals)
Not offered on small mammals & only available for pets over $300.
Not offered on mammals & only available for pets over $300. Benefit is up to the purchase price or market value. (Whichever is lesser) Excess is 10% of the determined value of the pet.
Benefits
-
Veterinary fees (for the treatment of injury, accident or illness)
Cover for the cost of veterinary treatment your pet has received during the policy year to treat injury and illness.
Birds: up to $2,000
Reptiles: up to $2,000
Turtles: up to $2,000
Small mammals: up to $2,000 -
Alternative or complementary treatment
Cover for the cost of any examination, consultation advice, test and legally prescribed medication or acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, physiotherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, osteopathy, recommended by your vet.
Up to $300
(within the veterinary fee limit, less 10% co-payment. Excess applies per condition, per calendar year) -
Advertising and reward
Cover for the cost of advertising, and the reward you have offered and paid to get your pet back if your pet is stolen or goes missing during the policy year. Refer to PDS for further information.
$500
(Excess applies, per calendar year) -
Third party liability
Cover for compensation and claimant’s costs and expenses, and legal costs and expenses for defending a claim against you if property is damaged, or someone is killed, injured or falls ill as a result of an incident involving your exotic pet during the policy year and you are legally responsible.
Up to $1 million
($500 excess, any one loss occurrence) -
Multi-pet discount (3+ eligible pets)
Cover the cost of multiple pets
-
Bird and reptile fixed excess
The non-refundable amount you will be required to pay for claims covered under this policy
$175 or $75
(Per condition, per calendar year) -
Small mammal fixed excess
The non-refundable amount you will be required to pay for claims covered under this policy
$225 or $125
(Per condition, per calendar year) -
Referral hospital or specialist vet fees
The cost of referral/specialist vet treatment up to the maximum benefit, if the pet is referred by a primary vet for treatment.
Fixed excess + 10% of eligible balance
-
Diagnostic examinations
Diagnostic examinations of magnetic resource imaging (MRI), nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) or computed axial tomography (CT or CAT). The cost of MRI, NMRI, CT or CA scans up to the maximum benefit.
Fixed excess + 50% of vet invoice(s)
-
Dental (small mammals only)
The cost of any single treatment, less the applicable Excess in each and every case, of any dental treatment.
Fixed excess + 50%
-
Waiting periods
Is the initial period during which no benefit is payable for the mentioned conditions.
Illness: 21 days
Injury: No waiting period -
Age limits
The age range you can start cover for your pet.
Birds: 12 weeks – no age limit
Reptiles: 8 weeks – no age limit
Turtles/Tortoises: 12 weeks – 50 years
Small mammals: 8 weeks – 5 years
Optional extras
-
Loss from not returning whilst flying (birds of prey only)
Only available for birds over $300 Benefit is up to the purchase price/market value (Whichever is lesser) of the bird Excess is 50% of the determined value of the pet (must be fitted with telemetry tracking equipment)
50% of purchase price
or market value -
Death from injury or illness
Only valued for pets valued at $300 or over. Benefit is up to the purchase price or market value (whichever is lesser) (nil excess)
Up to the purchase price or market value
-
Loss from theft, fire, or weather perils (Not offered on mammals)
Not offered on small mammals & only available for pets over $300.
Not offered on mammals & only available for pets over $300. Benefit is up to the purchase price or market value. (Whichever is lesser) Excess is 10% of the determined value of the pet.
Our exotic pet insurance policies
Benefits
Premier
(No cover for small mammals)
Plus
Value
Veterinary fees (for the treatment of injury, accident or illness)
Cover for the cost of veterinary treatment your pet has received during the policy year to treat injury and illness.
Birds: up to $6,000
Reptiles: up to $6,000
Turtles: up to $6,000
Birds: up to $4,000
Reptiles: up to $4,000
Turtles: up to $4,000
Small mammals: up to $4,000
Birds: up to $2,000
Reptiles: up to $2,000
Turtles: up to $2,000
Small mammals: up to $2,000
Alternative or complementary treatment
Cover for the cost of any examination, consultation advice, test and legally prescribed medication or acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, physiotherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, osteopathy, recommended by your vet.
Up to $500
(within the veterinary fee limit, less 10% co-payment. Excess applies per condition, per calendar year)
Up to $400
(within the veterinary fee limit, less 10% co-payment. Excess applies per condition, per calendar year)
Up to $300
(within the veterinary fee limit, less 10% co-payment. Excess applies per condition, per calendar year)
Advertising and reward
Cover for the cost of advertising, and the reward you have offered and paid to get your pet back if your pet is stolen or goes missing during the policy year. Refer to PDS for further information.
$500
(excess applies, per calendar year)
$500
(Excess applies, per calendar year)
$500
(Excess applies, per calendar year)
Third party liability
Cover for compensation and claimant’s costs and expenses, and legal costs and expenses for defending a claim against you if property is damaged, or someone is killed, injured or falls ill as a result of an incident involving your exotic pet during the policy year and you are legally responsible.
Up to $1 million
(any one loss occurrence)
Up to $1 million
(Excess $500, any one loss occurrence)
Up to $1 million
($500 excess, any one loss occurrence)
Multi-pet discount (3+ eligible pets)
Cover the cost of multiple pets
Bird and reptile fixed excess
The non-refundable amount you will be required to pay for claims covered under this policy
$175 or $75
(per condition, per calendar year)
$175 or $75
(Per condition, per calendar year)
$175 or $75
(Per condition, per calendar year)
Small mammal fixed excess
The non-refundable amount you will be required to pay for claims covered under this policy
–
$225 or $125
(Per condition, per calendar year)
$225 or $125
(Per condition, per calendar year)
Referral hospital or specialist vet fees
The cost of referral/specialist vet treatment up to the maximum benefit, if the pet is referred by a primary vet for treatment.
Fixed excess + 10% of eligible balance
Fixed excess + 10% of eligible balance
Fixed excess + 10% of eligible balance
Diagnostic examinations
Diagnostic examinations of magnetic resource imaging (MRI), nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) or computed axial tomography (CT or CAT). The cost of MRI, NMRI, CT or CA scans up to the maximum benefit.
Fixed excess + 50% of vet invoice(s)
Fixed excess + 50% of vet invoice(s)
Fixed excess + 50% of vet invoice(s)
Dental (small mammals only)
The cost of any single treatment, less the applicable Excess in each and every case, of any dental treatment.
–
Fixed excess + 50%
Fixed excess + 50%
Waiting periods
Is the initial period during which no benefit is payable for the mentioned conditions.
Illness: 21 days
Injury: No waiting period
Illness: 21 days
Injury: No waiting period
Illness: 21 days
Injury: No waiting period
Age limits
The age range you can start cover for your pet.
Birds: 12 weeks – no age limit
Reptiles: 8 weeks – no age limit
Turtles/Tortoises: 12 weeks – 50 years
Birds: 12 weeks – no age limit
Reptiles: 8 weeks – no age limit
Turtles/Tortoises: 12 weeks – 50 years
Small mammals: 8 weeks – 5 years
Birds: 12 weeks – no age limit
Reptiles: 8 weeks – no age limit
Turtles/Tortoises: 12 weeks – 50 years
Small mammals: 8 weeks – 5 years
Optional extras
Loss from not returning whilst flying (birds of prey only)
Only available for birds over $300 Benefit is up to the purchase price/market value (Whichever is lesser) of the bird Excess is 50% of the determined value of the pet (must be fitted with telemetry tracking equipment)
50% of purchase price
or market value
50% of purchase price
or market value
50% of purchase price
or market value
Death from injury or illness
Only valued for pets valued at $300 or over. Benefit is up to the purchase price or market value (whichever is lesser) (nil excess)
Up to the purchase price or market value
Up to the purchase price or market value
Up to the purchase price or market value
Loss from theft, fire, or weather perils (Not offered on mammals)
Not offered on small mammals & only available for pets over $300.
Only available for pets over $300. Benefit is up to the purchase price or market value. (Whichever is lesser) Excess is 10% of the determined value of the pet.
Not offered on mammals & only available for pets over $300. Benefit is up to the purchase price or market value. (Whichever is lesser) Excess is 10% of the determined value of the pet.
Not offered on mammals & only available for pets over $300. Benefit is up to the purchase price or market value. (Whichever is lesser) Excess is 10% of the determined value of the pet.
Terms, conditions and excesses apply and may be varied at renewal. Cover is subject to acceptance criteria, policy limits and exclusions may apply. Please consider the policy wording before making a decision to purchase the product.
image of a black brown and white guinea pig sitting between its owners hands while they use their laptop
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).