Parrot Insurance?

[LyzGrace]

Does anyone have any of their birds insured? I know my family insured a dog prone to health issues and when I was showing horses I had both health AND life insurance on my show horse. I would be more interested in something to help cover vet costs if and when they arise - is there anything like that for companion parrots?

[patdbunny]

I'm not sure if "pet insurance" is available for parrots for vet bills. You can inquire of your homeowners policy and see if the parrot can be covered for loss like any other item of personal property.

Heck - tell your husband to do something useful and transfer to vet school!!

[LyzGrace]

I definitely have considered asking if I could add it to my homeowners' policy... I feel like that's kind of materialistic and impersonal, but if, God forbid, someone breaks in and steals him I'd really like to be able to find another buddy.

As far as health insurance, I did find...

http://www.petinsurance.com/plans-and-c ... -pets.aspx

but I have no idea what the premium is and almost wonder if it would be more efficient to make a little emergency fund specifically for him so that I have the money if a need arises. Just wondering if anybody else has any experience

Just speaking from experience, you can take the best care of your animals and some freak thing could end up costing you tenfold what you paid for the animal. I have 8 "Dr"s in my cell phone contacts... 4 of them are vets. And hey, I know good vets who I'm sure make more money than chiropractors... maybe the hubs should consider a change in career paths

[patdbunny]

Some vets I think just straight up try to rip you off - speaking from experience. I know of one vet that remodeled his office all nice and suddenly all the fees tripled. Not saying that he shouldn't have remodeled. Just saying. . .

Yes, I know - no matter how well you take care, spit happens.

Find a vet you feel comfortable with. Build a rapport. My vet loves eclairs from a particular bakery in a particular part of San Diego. I always come bearing gifts.

Discuss the insurance with a few vets and get their opinion if it's worth it.

I don't specifically have a vet expense account, but at any given moment I can come up with a couple grand for vet emergencies if necessary.

[kaylayuh]

I would say it's probably better if you have an emergency fund for bird related health issues should they arise. I called for quotes from Pet First Insurance and was told their base insurance covers only certain conditions, not regular vet check ups, lab work, x rays, etc. They give you the option to add a package that covers routine vet care, but that's an extra $50 a month. The quote I got (for 3 birds) was almost $900 a year, including the extra package to cover normal vet care.

They way I see it, a lot of vets in a true emergency will accept payment plans. At least, that's the case in my area. When I was checking out vets in my area, I specifically asked about things like this. What I basically said is, I can afford the $200 a year for normal vet check ups, but should an illness arise that needs hospitalization, would I be able to make payments on that balance while my birds are being treated? Most are understanding and have said they offer that for patients in good standing.

The only way I see exotic pet insurance being worth it is in cases of a chronically ill bird that needs all kinds of routine care. If the bird has a history of seizures or another severe illness, I think it'd be worth it. If your bird doesn't and you keep up with regular vet care, I'd say an emergency fund would be your best bet.