Best Exotic Pet Insurance

MoneyGeek’s analysis found that MetLife offers the best pet insurance for exotic animals, combining affordability with quality service and flexible coverage options. We also recommend Nationwide as a strong alternative for exotic pets.

Based on our analysis, MetLife offers the cheapest pet insurance for exotic pets at $33 monthly on average across birds, ferrets, rabbits and reptiles. Nationwide follows with an average monthly premium of $37.

Birds cost less to insure than most exotic pets due to lower veterinary expenses and fewer health complications. MetLife provides the cheapest bird insurance at $28 monthly ($341 annually). Nationwide follows at $32 monthly ($381 annually).

Ferrets require higher insurance premiums than birds and reptiles because they're prone to adrenal disease (a hormonal disorder causing hair loss) and insulinoma (pancreatic tumors causing low blood sugar). According to our study, MetLife provides the lowest rates for ferrets at $41 monthly ($499 annually), while Nationwide charges $46 monthly ($557 annually).

Rabbits fall in the mid-range for exotic pet insurance costs, with dental disease being their most common health issue requiring ongoing veterinary care. For rabbit coverage, MetLife charges $37 monthly ($446 annually) and Nationwide offers rates at $42 monthly ($499 annually).

Among exotic pets, reptiles have the lowest insurance premiums because they typically require less frequent veterinary care than mammals. Our analysis found that MetLife's reptile coverage costs $24 monthly ($289 annually). Nationwide's rates sit at $27 monthly ($323 annually).

For pet insurance purposes, exotic pets include any animals other than dogs and cats. Depending on the insurer, coverage extends to the following species:

• Amphibians: Frogs, toads and salamanders
• Birds: Parrots, cockatiels, canaries, lovebirds and parakeets
• Reptiles: Bearded dragons, geckos, iguanas, snakes and turtles
• Small mammals: Ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, hedgehogs and chinchillas
• Other Mammals: Pot-bellied pigs, goats and opossums

MetLife has the best overall exotic pet insurance, offering the cheapest rates, excellent customer service and various coverage options. Before buying coverage, request quotes from available providers as there are limited options for insuring birds, ferrets, rabbits and reptiles. Review policy terms for species-specific conditions and read customer feedback to confirm you're getting quality coverage that fits your budget.

We’ve answered frequently asked questions about the best exotic pet insurance below:

MoneyGeek evaluated the two major exotic pet insurance providers in the United States to identify the best coverage options. Our analysis focused on affordability, customer experience and coverage details.

We gathered quotes from both providers that isolate how specific cost factors affect premiums for exotic pets. After collecting baseline data, we extrapolated rates across different species, including birds, ferrets, rabbits and reptiles to create personalized affordability scores and pricing recommendations.

How We Score Each Provider

Affordability (50% of overall score): We collected quotes from both providers and compared their rates across multiple exotic species. This analysis identified which provider offers the most competitive pricing for each pet type.

Customer Experience (30% of overall score): We analyzed customer ratings from Trustpilot and Reddit to assess real owner experiences with claims processing, customer service and overall satisfaction.

Coverage Options (20% of overall score): We reviewed contract details for both providers across all available states, examining coverage inclusions, exclusions, restrictions and available add-on options to determine policy comprehensiveness.