What Are The Best Tortoise Insurance?

Charlotte Green
Charlotte Green updated on July 9, 2020

Do you have a tortoise and want to know if having pet insurance is worth it?

The simple answer is: yes, taking out a tortoise insurance is always a good idea. You will have peace of mind, as the main expenses will be taken care of.

In this guide, we’ll detail all the different types of tortoise insurance, the average cost of taking out a tortoise insurance and and we’ll also give you an indicative quote to find the best pet insurance for your tortoise.

What type of tortoise insurance is best for you?

When taking out a tortoise insurance, there are usually one type of insurance offered, usually it is a 12 month insurance.

How much is tortoise insurance?

It depends on which coverage you choose. You can pay more or less depending on the coverage you choose. Other factors must be considered:

  • Your tortoise’s age, The older your tortoise is, the more expensive it will be to insure your tortoise.
  • Where you live in the UK. Vet fees are not the same all over the UK.

The average cost of tortoise insurance in UK is about £4 and £17 per month..

What does tortoise insurance cover?

Not all insurers offer the same features, so check before insuring your tortoise. Here is a little table that shows what is usually covered by a tortoise insurance:

Included or notDetails
Vet fees
  • Included in all type of policies
You can ask money back for vet fees if your tortoise received medical treatment
Advertising and rewards
  • Often included in Lifetime cover
  • Often not included in basics insurance
You can claim the money back for the cost of your reward and your advertising spend
Death by illness or accident
  • Often not included in basics insurance
  • Sometimes covered by Lifetime.
You can claim if your tortoise died because of an accident or because of an illness
Boarding fees
  • Often not included in basics insurance
Covers the cost of boarding your tortoise if you have an emergency
Overseas travel cover
  • Often not included in basics insurance
Your tortoise is covered in another country
Third party liability cover
  • Included in basics insurance
Covers legal liability if your tortoise causes damage or injury.
For cats, there is no such thing. The owner is not held responsible for damages caused, as cats are considered “free spirits” in the UK.
tortoise insurance cover

What is the best pet insurance for tortoise?

Exotic pet insurance and British Pet insurance propose tortoise insurance, here are the main features:

InsurersVet feesExcessExtraMonthly premium
Exotic Direct (Basic Policy)

No

10% of the replacement cost in case of fire or theft claim
  • Cover included for sickness, theft and death.

£4,30

Exotic Direct (Essential Policy)
  • Up to £2500
£35
  • Cover included for sickness, theft and death.
£12,67
Exotic Direct (Premier Policy)
  • Up to £2,500
£35
  • £2,500 for sickness, theft and death
  • Weather perils
£14.35
British Pet Insurance (Value Policy)
  • Up to £1,000
£30
  • Up to £300 for alternative treatment
  • Advertising – Up to £150 per year
  • Reward – Up to £150 per year
  • Excess £50 for each claim.
£9.53
British Pet Insurance (Premier or Plus Policy)

Two policies:

  • For Premier: up to £5000
  • For Plus: up to £3,000
£30
  • Up to £400 or £500 for alternative treatment
  1. £10,93 for Plus
  2. £13,73 for Premier
Tortoise lifetime cover

What is not included in your tortoise insurance?

Often, these kind of features are not included in your tortoise insurance:

Not includedDetails
Treatment for preexisting conditionsMost insurers won’t cover your tortoise's existing conditions.
Routine medical treatmentYour tortoise insurance won’t cover your routine medical treatment such as vaccinations, for example.
Behaviour treatmentThis kind of feature is often not provided for tortoise insurance.
International cost Some insurers won’t offer to cover your tortoise abroad.
Dental treatmentOften excluded from tortoise insurance.
tortoise ageSometimes your tortoise will not be covered if your pet is considered too old.
What is not covered by your tortoise insurance

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Charlotte
Charlotte Green
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Charlotte is a finance content specialist with a sharp analytical mind and a strong academic background. She holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from the University of Oxford and a Master’s in Behavioural Economics from the London School of Economics. Her academic training gave her the tools to make sense of complex financial systems—and to explain them in a way that’s both smart and relatable. Before joining HelloSafe, Charlotte worked in editorial roles for financial media and strategy firms, where she focused on personal finance, digital banking, and policy analysis. She is passionate about helping people make informed decisions about their money, especially in an age where the financial landscape is changing fast. At HelloSafe, she covers key topics such as insurance, tax, utilities, credit and budgeting tools. Her mission: provide clear, honest and actionable insights that empower readers to take control of their financial lives with confidence.