Caring for a pet bird can be both a fun and rewarding experience. However, many people aren’t aware of the expense that goes into providing proper care for a pet bird. Aside from food, toys, habitat and other supplies, many pet birds will require some sort of veterinary care. Given that some species of pet birds may live up to 100 years in captivity, choosing to purchase bird insurance may be an option to consider.
WHY BUY BIRD INSURANCE?
Many people think of birds as being a low-cost pet, and may not recognize bird insurance as being economically feasible. However, purchasing an insurance plan for your bird may actually save you a lot of money. Aside from taking care of a portion of your bird’s medical expenses, many bird insurance policies may also cover theft of your bird. Some species of birds are extremely valuable, and may be a target for thieves.
CHOOSING A COMPANY
Due to increasing demand, there are now more options for purchasing pet bird insurance. When choosing a company, it’s important to obtain a list of veterinary hospitals where your bird’s insurance will be accepted. Some insurance companies will only cover procedures performed at specific hospitals, which may limit your options. Try to choose an insurance company that will give you the maximum amount of flexibility. It’s important to research the veterinary hospitals covered under your insurance plan for credibility as well, which can further aid you in choosing the right insurance company for your bird.
CHOOSING A POLICY
Once you have chosen a company to purchase bird insurance from, you will need to select a policy. Depending on your financial situation, you will need to decide carefully. Factor in the cost of your bird’s insurance policy to your monthly budget, and be sure that you can comfortably cover it as an extra expense.
Another thing to factor into choosing a policy is the breed of bird you are purchasing insurance for. Some birds are at high risk for developing health problems, and may benefit more from a complete coverage plan. On the other hand, some birds tend not to require constant veterinary attention, and may benefit more from a “catastrophic” bird insurance policy that only covers serious medical procedures. If you have a bird species that is particularly long-lived, such as a large cockatoo, you need to make sure that your policy doesn’t expire after a set number of years.