Pet insurance can be a major lifesaver in keeping pet healthcare expenses affordable. More and more companies are popping up, seemingly every day, that offer various pet insurance services.
If you have a turtle or tortoise, you may have wondered if there are products on the market to help support you and your pet. After all, turtles and tortoises tend to live long lives, so pet insurance could be a great resource to keep costs down and help you get your pet access to healthcare to extend their health and longevity. Here’s what you need to know about pet insurance when it comes to turtles and tortoises.
Can My Turtle or Tortoise Be Insured?
Yes! Although the options are extremely limited, there are pet insurance options available for turtles and tortoises. The main company offering this type of service is Nationwide, which offers insurance coverage for a variety of exotic pets, including turtles, tortoises, birds, potbellied pigs, and goats. They cover accidents, illnesses, visit fees, hospitalization, diagnostic testing, and more.
The best way to learn what is covered by exotic pet insurance is to compare policies from a few different companies and find the one that best fits your needs.
Pet Assure is a company that offers an insurance alternative that covers exotic pets, like turtles and tortoises. Their plan functions similarly to pet insurance, but they have no waiting periods, they offer coverage for all types of visits, they offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, and they have no age limits on their coverage. Their pricing varies based on the number of pets in the household included in the plan.
Image Credit: International Fund for Animal Welfare, Pexels
Why Is Pet Insurance Important?
Pet insurance is a fantastic way to save money on your pet’s healthcare. While routine visits may be affordable, attempting to pay out of pocket for sick visits, hospitalization, and diagnostic testing can get expensive very quickly. The average person may struggle to afford the price of care associated with a sick or injured pet. Pet insurance helps cover the difference between what you’re able to afford and what you aren’t able to afford, often keeping you from going broke in an attempt to support your pet’s health.
Some people believe they can’t afford the monthly premiums and deductibles associated with pet insurance. It’s important to keep in mind that monthly premiums and deductibles are often far more affordable than the hundreds or thousands of dollars that an emergency vet visit will cost. It’s a good idea to set aside a little money every month as an emergency pet care fund, but paying pet insurance premiums can take the place of some of the money you may otherwise set aside. Either way, you’ll be prepared for a last-minute issue with your tortoise or turtle.
In Conclusion
The options may be limited when it comes to pet insurance coverage for turtles and tortoises, but it doesn’t mean this type of coverage is less important. These pets can live for decades, and it’s important to be prepared for any type of care they may need, not just the basics. You never know when an injury or illness will occur, and pet insurance plans can help you better afford this needed care.
Brooke Billingsley spent nine years as a veterinary assistant before becoming a human nurse in 2013. She resides in Arkansas with her boyfriend of five years. She loves all animals and currently shares a home with three dogs, two cats, five fish, and two snails. She has a soft spot for special needs animals and has a three-legged senior dog and an internet famous cat with acromegaly and cerebellar hypoplasia. Fish keeping has become a hobby of Brooke’s and she is continually learning how to give her aquarium pets the best life possible. Brooke enjoys plants and gardening and keeps a vegetable garden during the summer months. She stays active with yoga and obtained her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in 2020. She hosts a podcast focusing on folklore and myth and loves spending her free time researching and writing. Brooke believes that every day is an opportunity for learning and growth and she spends time daily working toward new skills and knowledge....Read more
