Best Exotic Pet Insurance Providers UK 2025: Expert Comparison

Exotic pets are animals that fall outside the typical household pet category, such as dogs and cats which means even the best pet insurance providers might not cover them. They can include reptiles, birds, small mammals, or even larger animals like tigers. Exotic pet insurance helps protect owners from the high costs of veterinary care and other unexpected expenses related to these unique pets.

To help you choose the right coverage, we’ve researched and compared the best exotic pet insurance providers in the UK, focusing on factors like coverage scope, customer service, speed of claims processing, and overall value for money. Here are our top picks for 2025.

Let's compare the features of the following 3 providers to help you find the proper coverage for your needs.

Our expert score: 4.7/5

Pros

Cons

British Pet Insurance (BPI) offers coverage for various exotic pets, including reptiles (such as lizards, snakes, and tortoises), birds, and small mammals (e.g., hedgehogs, ferrets, and guinea pigs).

Users can choose from 3 coverage levels: Premier, Plus, and Value. The Premier plan provides the highest level of coverage, covering veterinary fees up to £5,000 and alternative treatments up to £500 per condition. The Plus plan offers a balanced middle ground, covering veterinary fees up to £3,000. The Value plan has a vet fee coverage limit of £1,000.

All 3 plans include third-party liability protection of up to £1,000,000 per incident, provisions for saying goodbye to your pet (up £100), and compensation for death, theft, or weather-related loss. Depending on the plan, there’s also cover for adverts and rewards for lost pets, ranging from £50-£150 per year.

Why buy? Expert verdict

British Pet Insurance is ideal for people seeking comprehensive, flexible coverage for their exotic pets. The 3-tier structure—Premier, Plus, and Value—gives owners a clear choice based on their budget and the level of protection they need.

The inclusion of third-party liability protection, alternative treatments, and even costs associated with saying goodbye demonstrates that BPI is committed to offering holistic support for pet owners. The company also doesn’t disappoint when it comes to reliability, with 95% of all past claims processed in 3 days.

Our expert score: 4.6/5

Pros

Cons

Exotic Direct, part of the PetCover Group, is one of the UK's leading exotic pet insurance providers. With more than 20 years of experience in this field, the company offers various policies, including reptile, small mammal, and exotic bird insurance.

For every type of exotic pet, customers can choose from the following coverage levels:

With this provider, you can pay your premiums annually or spread them across 10 instalments.

Why buy? Expert verdict

The best part about ExoticDirect is that it lets you cover multiple pets of the same species under 1 policy. Specifically, you can add up to 3 pets to your policy (e.g., 3 lizards or 3 exotic birds). This simplifies policy management and is available across all coverage levels. Exotic Direct is the only provider we found to offer this convenient feature in our research.

Our expert score: 4.4/5

Pros

Cons

LRMS, which stands for Livestock Risk Management Services, offers insurance solutions for a range of exotic and zoo animals. These include small species like lizards and larger animals like tigers, elephants, and giraffes. The company’s target clientele includes individual owners, brokers, and institutions like zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.

LRMS exotic pet insurance policies cover several risks, including:

That said, LRMS doesn’t provide much information on its website about available plans and their features. If you’re interested in one of LRMS’s policies, you’ll need to contact the company directly for more information.

Why buy? Expert verdict

LRMS is best suited for zoo owners, wildlife sanctuary managers, and private individuals who care for large and complex exotic species. While many exotic insurance providers focus on smaller reptiles, mammals, and birds, LRMS extends its coverage to include large, high-value mammals such as tigers, rhinos, giraffes, and elephants.

LRMS says all its policies are crafted through collaboration with professional underwriters, animal specialists, and the company’s hands-on, practical experience. This ensures the unique needs of each exotic species are fully addressed.

There are 3 main types of exotic pet insurance:

The type of exotic pet insurance you need depends on several factors, including your pet’s type or species, age, your budget, and even your preferences.

If your exotic pet is young and healthy and you’re on a tight budget, you may opt for accident-only insurance to cover unexpected injuries. However, if your pet is older or belongs to a species prone to specific health issues, a comprehensive plan that also covers illnesses could be more suitable.

Wellness plans are ideal if routine care, such as vaccinations and annual check-ups, is your primary concern. These plans help manage predictable healthcare costs and can often be bundled with accident and illness coverage for full-spectrum care.

Exotic pet insurance typically covers many expenses, but the specifics can vary depending on the policy type. Most comprehensive policies include treatments for accidents and illnesses, including the costs of surgeries, medications, specialist care or consultation, diagnostics like X-rays and blood tests, and hospital stays.

In addition to direct medical care, exotic pet insurance might also cover the following costs depending on the policy and provider:

It’s essential to review your policy carefully to ensure it covers all the needs specific to your exotic pet, as some conditions or treatments may be excluded or limited.

Selecting the best exotic pet insurance requires careful consideration of your pet’s needs, your budget, and the level of coverage required. Here are a few factors to guide your decision:

Coverage options

Start by evaluating what each company or policy covers. For example, some companies exclusively offer accident-only plans, while others offer comprehensive plans only. Ensure the company has the exact type of coverage you’re looking for.

Excess

The excess is the amount you’ll need to pay out of pocket before the insurance kicks in. While a higher excess might lower your premiums, it could increase costs in the event of frequent claims. Look for a balance between affordable premiums and manageable excess.

Exclusions

Every insurance policy comes with exclusions, so read the fine print carefully. Common exclusions include pre-existing conditions, specific species-related illnesses, or experimental treatments. For exotic pets, ensure the policy doesn’t exclude coverage for species-specific issues, as these can be significant factors in your pet’s care.

Specialist care

Exotic pets often require care from specialists with expertise in treating unique species. Check if the policy covers specialist consultations and treatments. Some insurers also provide access to a network of exotic pet veterinarians, which can save you time and ensure optimal care for your pet.

Add-ons

Some policies offer add-ons, such as overseas coverage if you plan to travel with your exotic pet. Evaluate these extras based on your lifestyle and your pet’s needs.

Reputation and reviews

Research the insurer's reputation by reading customer reviews, particularly from other exotic pet owners. Look for feedback on the insurer’s claims process, transparency, and responsiveness to customers. A provider with a strong track record of customer satisfaction is likely to provide more reliable service.

Coverage scope

We reviewed the breadth of coverage each provider offered, focusing on policies catering to various exotic pets and medical issues.

Cost and value

We compared premiums, excess fees, and overall value to find options that balance affordability with comprehensive coverage.

Claims processes

We examined each provider’s claims-filing procedures, prioritising those known for prompt and hassle-free payouts with transparent guidelines for submitting claims.

Policy flexibility

We assessed the flexibility of each provider's policy, including the ability to customise coverage for specific species and adjust elements such as excess amounts and reimbursement rates.

Customer service

We combed through feedback from pet owners to understand their satisfaction with the customer service offered by various providers.

Exclusions and limitations

We carefully assessed policy exclusions and limitations, such as pre-existing conditions and species-specific restrictions. We included only providers with clear, fair terms and without unnecessary or overly restrictive exclusions.

Is exotic pet insurance worth it?

Yes. Veterinary care for exotic pets can be more expensive than for common pets like cats or dogs. Exotic pet vets often require specialised training and equipment to treat these animals, which can lead to higher consultation and treatment costs. Insurance can help offset these higher fees.

What exotic pets are covered under insurance?

Exotic pet insurance typically covers a wide array of animals, including reptiles (such as snakes, lizards, and turtles), birds (parrots, canaries), and small mammals (ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs). Some policies might also cover larger animals like tigers or elephants. The type of exotic pets covered can vary widely by insurer, so verify that your pet species is included before purchasing.

Does exotic pet insurance cover routine care?

In general, exotic pet insurance covers emergency treatments, illnesses, and accidents but doesn’t usually include routine care like vaccinations, check-ups, or general wellness visits. However, certain providers offer add-ons or separate plans for wellness coverage, which may include routine care.

How can I lower my exotic pet insurance premium?

To reduce your exotic pet insurance premium, you could opt for a higher excess (the amount you pay out-of-pocket before the insurance kicks in) or more basic coverage (like accident-only insurance).

Insuring your exotic pet while it’s young may also help lower the premium, as insurers generally consider younger animals at lower risk for health issues.

Finally, some insurers offer discounts if you insure multiple exotic pets under 1 policy or bundle your exotic pet insurance with other coverage types (such as dog or cat insurance).

Exotic pets deserve the best care and protection, just like any other animal. Selecting the right insurance policy is the first step towards ensuring their well-being.

A good policy can protect you from unexpected expenses such as veterinary fees or public liability and even compensate you if your pet passes away or is lost. Use our guide to make an informed decision that aligns with your needs and preferences.