My city requires those with exotics to show proof of insurance for $100k

[LavenderBlonde]

I am so lost.

I get that i will have to insure the animal for 100k. But do i do this through home owners insurance or ???. How the heck would I go about getting insurance if I wanted a burmese python? Is this even possible?

I have tried the search option on here, btw. It kept coming up with links for insurance on shipping reptiles...lol. But i really cant be the only one facing this.

 

[AbsoluteApril]

Liability insurance maybe? You can check with homeowners but be careful, exotic pets are prohibited on many policies and if you call to ask about it and they find out, they may drop all your coverage, check your policy declarations pages first if possible. Back when I worked in insurance, the only type of coverage I found was livestock coverage available through companies like Travelers or Lloyds of London and it's rather pricey. I posted details of that in another thread on here years ago, if I can track it down I'll add the link.

Good luck! What a pain!

 

[AbsoluteApril]

ahhh here we go, more info on these links that might be useful:
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100639

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69468

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12193

 

[hhmoore]

I'd suggest finding out what the law actually requires, including a specific list of what animals are considered exotics (it may be a listing of exclusions). My guess that it isn't about insuring the reptile itself; but, rather, a general liability type thing so they can make you financially responsible for anything negative. Such broad strokes are geared toward discouraging keepers more than anything else. (Think about the justification for requiring such a policy for a green anole or hermit crab.) Are you certain that the law isn't for "wild" or "dangerous" animals?

Please don't misunderstand - I'm not doubting your statement...and a Burmese python is likely included - but it is in your best interest to know the details and requirements.

 

[bcr229]

If you want a Burmese python you need to move first, assuming that you're in the City of Manassas or in Manassas Park. Or are you in Prince William County but with a "Manassas" address outside of the city limits?

http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/herplaw/index.htm

Manassas – Ordinance Chapter 18, Article V. Excerpted below. Wild or exotic animal means any animal except a dog, cat, hamster, gerbil, guinea pig, mouse, ferret, turtle, nonpoisonous snake less than seven feet in length, nonpoisonous lizards and iguanas less than seven feet in length, domesticated rabbit, laboratory rat, bird, fish, horse, mule, cow, swine, sheep or goat. Prohibited; exceptions. No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises any live wild or exotic animal. This section shall not be construed to apply to zoological parks, performing animal exhibitions, circuses or veterinary clinics which are properly licensed by the federal government or the Commonwealth. In no case, however, shall such wild or exotic animals be exhibited or displayed in such a manner that persons other than their handlers can pet, fondle or otherwise come in direct physical contact with such animals. Endangered or threatened animals. No person shall keep any endangered or threatened animal, live or dead, or any part thereof, except pursuant to an exemption or permit provided for in 16 USC ch. 35, or in regulations under that chapter. Disposition of illegal animals. Any person who keeps a wild or exotic animal in contravention of this article shall dispose of the animal by removal of the animal from the city, by giving or selling the animal to a zoological park or by releasing the animal to the animal control officer. The animal control officer is authorized to release the animal to the wild, to a zoological park or to a responsible adult who shall remove the animal from the city or dispose of the animal in some humane manner. The animal control officer is not authorized to release the animal to any person who intends to use the animal for research purposes.

Manassas Park – Ordinance Chapter 5, Article VI. Excerpted below. Wild or exotic animal shall mean any live monkey (nonhuman primate), raccoon, skunk, wolf, wolf hybrid, squirrel, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other warm-blooded animal, poisonous snake or tarantula which can normally be found in the wild state or any other member of crocodilian, including but not limited to alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and gavials. Ferrets, nonpoisonous snakes less than six (6) feet in length, rabbits and laboratory rats which have been bred in captivity and which never have known the wild shall be excluded from this definition. No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises any wild or exotic or vicious animal for display for exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously or for a fee. This section shall not be construed to apply to zoological parks, performing animal exhibitions, circuses or veterinary clinics that are properly licensed by the federal government or Commonwealth of Virginia. In no case, however, shall such wild or exotic animal be exhibited or displayed in such a manner that persons other than their handlers can pet, fondle or otherwise come in direct physical contact with such animals. No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild or exotic animal, or non-poisonous snakes six (6) feet or longer in length as a pet.