Pet Insurance for Snakes | Is it Worth The Price?
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Michelle Robbins
Licensed Insurance Agent
Michelle Robbins has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. Her career began in the real estate industry, supporting local realtors with Title Insurance. After several years, Michelle shifted to real estate home warranty insurance, where she managed a territory of over 100 miles of real estate professionals. Later, Agent Robbins obtained more licensing and experience serving families a...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Mar 24, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Mar 24, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
Despite their reputation for being scary outdoor critters, there are many domesticated snakes that can be great pets from garden snakes to Boa Constrictors.
Snake ownership is on the rise as some pet owners like a different pet other than a cat or dog.
And snakes have become another favorite pet from boa constrictors to pythons.
The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that as of 2012, 550,000 households owned approximately 1,150,000 snakes. And the number is rising!
Snakes do need special care with the right cage, food and annual vet visits.
Snakes have been known to live for up to 40 years so they will be with you a long time!
Just as pet insurance is available for your dogs and cats, it is also available for snakes.
The real question is whether snake insurance is worth the cost.
Table of Contents:
Need Pet Insurance?
FACT: Pet insurance pays up to 90% of vet bills when your pet is sick or injured!
Why Consider Pet Insurance For Snakes
Snakes need to have their annual vet visits and check-ups for any illness just like any dog or cat.
However, snakes are known to mask their feelings, making vet visits essential.
With a life span of 15 to 40 years, health issues will surface and some of them can become costly.
If your snake gets seriously ill or even an infection, the bills can be very expensive. Not only for the vet visit but for the medication needed to fight the illness.
It’s not unusual to end up with a vet bill anywhere from $6,000 to $9,000, which is when pet insurance can be a huge financial relief.
The only pet insurance company that offers full coverage for snakes is Nationwide Pet insurance.
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
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Common Illnesses in Snakes
Some of the common illnesses and conditions that can occur in snakes:
- Bone Disease
- Mouth Rot
- Dehydration
- Anorexia
- Digestive Problems
- Burns from incorrect lighting and heating
- Inability to shed skin
- Respiratory infections
- Blister disease
- Internal and external parasites
- Respiratory infections
- Fungal infections
With Nationwide pet insurance, 90% of the bills will be covered as long as the illness is not pre-existing.
Snake Health Insurance Coverage
Pet insurance for snakes works very much as it does for cats and dogs.
The comprehensive coverage that Nationwide offers will cover most accidents and illnesses that your snake may develop.
Some of the procedures and treatments that are covered for snakes:
- Accidents, Injuries
- Illness
- Specialist Care
- Diagnostic Test/Labs
- Surgery
- Hospital Visits
- Prescription Medication
Snake Wellness Plans
A wellness plan is typically a plan that is added on to a pet insurance plan and covers preventative care.
Nationwide does not offer a preventative care plan for snakes (but it does for some exotic pets like birds).
Pet Assure is a company that offers preventative care coverage for snakes but is structured differently from most pet insurance and wellness plans.
For a fee of $9 a month, you can get a 25% discount on many different conditions that your snake might develop:
- Parasites
- Skin infections
- Gastritis (vomiting)
- Infections
- Vaccinations
- All illness or accident
- Pre-existing conditions
Read more: Does pet insurance cover gastritis?
While this is a good alternative to the pet insurance offered by Nationwide, if your snake gets very sick, your 90% of vet bill will be reimbursed.
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Snake Insurance Specialist Coverage
When taking your snake in to see your vet, you might not have as many options as you would for a dog or cat.
But there are vets that specialize in care for snakes and other reptiles. (For more information, read our “Pet Insurance for Reptiles“).
Because there aren’t as many choices and the prices of specialists tend to be higher than so are your vet bills.
Which is another reason why pet insurance can be very helpful.
What Isn’t Covered with Snake Health Insurance
The following is not covered for snake coverage:
- Internal or external parasites
- Anything cosmetic
- Shots and vaccinations, other related routine care
- Pre-Existing Conditions
- Endocrine disorders
- Anything related to birth
Read more: Does Pet Insurance Cover Shots?
Cost of Snake Insurance
The cost of Nationwide’s snake insurance can range from $9 to $15 per month.
The price varies by the type of snake you have (large snakes are more expensive), where you live and the age of your snake.
Nationwide does not offer a preventive care plan for snakes.
Pet Assure will cost $9 a month for a 25% savings off of many treatments and conditions.
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Snake Health Reimbursements and Deductible
Nationwide’s snake plan will reimburse you up to 90% of the total cost of your vet bill and at the vet of your choice.
There is a $50 per-incident deductible for each illness or injury that your snake develops.
This deduction renews each policy year.
Need Pet Insurance?
FACT: Pet insurance pays up to 90% of vet bills when your pet is sick or injured!
Snake Health Benefit Limits
Benefit limits are the amount the company will pay out each policy year.
Nationwide’s maximum reimbursement is $2,000 for each accident or illness.
The annual limit is $7,000, but there is no maximum payout limit for the lifetime of your snake which helps.
Snake Health Insurance Enrollment
The snake must be 3 months old to insure and there is no upper age limit.
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Snake Pet Insurance Waiting Period
Similar to most pet insurance policies, there is a 30 day – waiting period.
During this waiting period, you can decide if you want to have your snake insured with Nationwide and they can make sure that your snake doesn’t have any pre-existing conditions.
Snake Pet Insurance Claims
Claims for snakes are handled like any other pet insurance. You can submit your claims through their site, fax or mail.
Keep copies of all your bills and invoices even after you have filed a claim. If you have all your information provided, the claims usually turned around in 30 days.
Summing Up Pet Insurance for Snakes
Snake insurance can be very valuable if your snake does become sick and needs special care.
If your snake develops an infection, for example, 90% of all the testing, lab works, and treatment will be covered.
The price is relatively low to get started and if you spend up to $100 to $125 in vet costs a year then pet insurance can be really valuable.
It can be the difference of getting your snake the right care to keep any very serious illness or even an undetected secondary condition that you might not know about.
Your vet is always a good resource to see if pet insurance is a viable option.
Give a call at 1-800-874-0362, or go to their site, Nationwide and get a quote to see if snake insurance makes sense for you and your snake!
Learn More About Nationwide Now!
And, if also you have a dog or cat, our top pet insurance companies of 2020, is a great place to start!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is insurance available for snakes?
Yes, insurance for snakes is available. Nationwide Insurance is the only company that offers full coverage for snakes.
Why should I consider insurance for my snake?
Snakes, like any other pets, need annual vet visits, and health issues can arise over their 15 to 40-year lifespan. Pet insurance helps cover the costs of veterinary care, which can be expensive, especially in the case of serious illnesses or infections.
What common illnesses can occur in snakes?
Common illnesses and conditions in snakes can include respiratory infections, mites, and mouth rot. With Nationwide insurance, 90% of vet bills for these conditions are covered, provided they are not pre-existing.
What does snake health insurance coverage include?
Snake health insurance covers accidents and illnesses, including procedures and treatments. Nationwide offers comprehensive coverage for snakes, reimbursing up to 90% of vet bills.
Are there wellness plans available for snakes?
Nationwide does not offer a wellness plan for snakes. However, Assure is an alternative that provides a 25% discount on various conditions for a monthly fee of $9.
Are there specialists for snake health care?
While there are veterinarians who specialize in snake care, their services can be more expensive. insurance can be beneficial in covering the higher costs associated with specialist care.
What is not covered by snake health insurance?
Snake health insurance typically does not cover pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, or breeding-related expenses.
How much does snake insurance cost?
Nationwide’s snake insurance can range from $9 to $15 per month, with costs varying based on factors such as the snake’s type, location, and age.
What are the reimbursement and deductible details for snake health insurance?
Nationwide reimburses up to 90% of vet bills, with a $50 per-incident deductible for each illness or injury. The deductible renews each policy year.
Are there benefit limits for snake health insurance?
Nationwide’s benefit limits include a maximum reimbursement of $2,000 per accident or illness and an annual limit of $7,000. There is no maximum payout limit for the lifetime of the snake.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Michelle Robbins
Licensed Insurance Agent
Michelle Robbins has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. Her career began in the real estate industry, supporting local realtors with Title Insurance. After several years, Michelle shifted to real estate home warranty insurance, where she managed a territory of over 100 miles of real estate professionals. Later, Agent Robbins obtained more licensing and experience serving families a...
Licensed Insurance Agent
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.