Having pets is no small commitment, but it is a worthwhile one. They provide companionship, comfort, and emotional support and only ask for food, affection, and a place to sleep in return.
Managing the Cost of Pet Ownership
Having pets is no small commitment, but it is a worthwhile one. They provide companionship, comfort, and emotional support and only ask for food, affection, and a place to sleep in return. They also bring genuine happiness into our lives: have you seen just how many funny or even cute lizard videos go viral online? Some studies go as far as to suggest pet owners live longer than their more boring, pet-less counterparts.
However, pet ownership also comes with a steep price tag. We’ve said this before, but it bears repeating–if you’re thinking of getting a reptile as a pet, you should consider carefully whether you’re ready to make a lifelong commitment to someone who will be dependent on you for everything. From small things like head scratches to big things like health and survival–it’s all on your plate.
The Biggest Cost in Pet Ownership
While bearded dragons are certainly prone to fewer illnesses than your typical cat or dog, veterinary bills overall make up the largest portion of what pet owners spend money on (next to food). You may have already accounted for some of the run-of-the-mill veterinary expenses like check-ups and any special care your pet may need. However, illness and diseases are usually considered unexpected expenses, and many pet owners find themselves (and their wallets) unprepared for them. Thankfully, the pet insurance industry seems slated for steady, continuous growth and is now more accessible than ever–even for exotic pets like bearded dragons!
The pet insurance industry has really skyrocketed in the past ten years. However, few know about its rich, hundred-year long history. Back then, most policies were actually written to protect farm animals–makes sense, considering farmers probably wanted to ensure their livelihood. Even fewer may know that the first American dog to have health insurance was the beloved dog film star, Lassie! But nowadays, there are a lot of lucky dogs (and cats and birds and lizards) out there with owners that want to make sure they’re doing all they can for them.
Pet insurance can be an effective way of “budgeting” for emergency veterinary expenses. Is it right for you and your bearded dragon though? That’s another matter entirely.
What Does Nationwide’s Exotic Pet Insurance Cover?
If you want coverage for your reptile or other exotic pet, your options are pretty much limited to just Nationwide. This exotic pet insurance plan covers accidents and illnesses as well as checkups, lab test fees, prescriptions, X-rays, hospitalization, and more for your lizard. If you’re particularly finicky about your beardie, it should give you peace of mind. However, if you’re serious about this, you’ll want to be clear on several things before you pull the trigger:
- What are the annual benefit limits?
- What are the lifetime benefit limits?
- How much is the deductible?
- What percentage of each bill does the policy cover?
If you can, format each quote you request the same way–with the same benefit limits, deductibles, and co-pay percentages. This should make your life a bit easier in the long run.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
In truth, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. Pet insurance premiums can vary a lot based on a number of factors that each insurance company decides to takes into account. These can include the type of pets you have, their age, and your location. Be aware that you’ll need to have this info handy whenever you decide to request a quote, so make sure to get all of your ducks (or beardies!) in a row before asking for a quote. One last thing: don’t forget to ask about multi-pet discounts if you have more than one pet!
