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 moreSpecialist exotic pet insurance
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
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 veterinary fee limit) -
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
-
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
-
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
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 + 30% of vet invoice(s)
-
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 -
Loss from not returning whilst flying (birds of prey only)
Provides a claimable benefit for Birds of Prey (fitted with telemetry tracking equipment) which are proven missing whilst flying, during the period of insurance; and are not recovered or do not return.
50% of purchase price
or market value
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 veterinary fee limit) -
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
-
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
-
Small mammal fixed excess
The non-refundable amount you will be required to pay for claims covered under this policy
$225 or $125
-
Referral hospital or specialist vet
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 + 30% of vet invoice(s)
-
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 -
Loss from not returning whilst flying (birds of prey only)
Provides a claimable benefit for Birds of Prey (fitted with telemetry tracking equipment) which are proven missing whilst flying, during the period of insurance; and are not recovered or do not return.
50% of purchase price
or market value
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 veterinary fee limit) -
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
-
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
-
Small mammal fixed excess
The non-refundable amount you will be required to pay for claims covered under this policy
$225 or $125
-
Referral hospital or specialist vet
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 + 30% of vet invoice(s)
-
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 -
Loss from not returning whilst flying (birds of prey only)
Provides a claimable benefit for Birds of Prey (fitted with telemetry tracking equipment) which are proven missing whilst flying, during the period of insurance; and are not recovered or do not return.
50% of purchase price
or market value
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 veterinary fee limit)
Up to $400
(within veterinary fee limit)
Up to $300
(within veterinary fee limit)
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
$500
$500
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
(any one loss occurrence)
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
$175 or $75
$175 or $75
Small mammal fixed excess
The non-refundable amount you will be required to pay for claims covered under this policy
–
$225 or $125
$225 or $125
Referral hospital or specialist vet
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 + 30% of vet invoice(s)
Fixed excess + 30% of vet invoice(s)
Fixed excess + 30% of vet invoice(s)
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
Loss from not returning whilst flying (birds of prey only)
Provides a claimable benefit for Birds of Prey (fitted with telemetry tracking equipment) which are proven missing whilst flying, during the period of insurance; and are not recovered or do not return.
50% of purchase price
or market value
50% of purchase price
or market value
50% of purchase price
or market value
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.
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
-
- 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.
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).
About your referrer
Your Vet is a Referrer of Petcover Aust Pty Ltd (ABN 97 117 479 990 AFSL 507143). Your vet is authorised to provide factual information only about Petcover Pet Insurance and is not authorised to provide advice. Any decision to take out insurance should be made by you after reviewing the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) & Target Market Determination TMD. With your consent, your vet may pass your contact details to Petcover and assist with your application. Petcover policies are administered by Petcover Aust Pty Ltd and underwritten by Sovereign Insurance Australia (ABN 85 138 079 286, AFSL No. 342516)
Remuneration notice
If you take out a Petcover policy, your vet may receive commission, promotional items, or other incentive from Petcover.