- Budget Direct was the cheapest insurer according to Finder research
- New customers can get up to 15% off their premium online. T&Cs apply.
Medibank Pet Max Cover with Extra Care
- Claim up to $30,000/year for vet bills
- Up to 90% back on vet bills
- Get your first month free if you sign-up by 2 October 2024. Use promocode 1FREE. T&Cs Apply.
Everyday Comprehensive Plus Cover
- 10% off your Woolies shop*
- Up to $30,000/year for vet bills
- 24/7 online access to vets. *T&Cs apply.
- No sub-limits on specific conditions
- Covers 90% of eligible vet bills
- Finder exclusive 10% off your first year (using promo code FINDER10)
Get help finding the best pet insurance
All the pet insurance policies below will cover your pet for accidents and illnesses. They all have an annual limit (how much you can claim back each year) and a benefit percentage (how much of the vet bill it will cover you for, e.g. 90%).
To select our top picks, we used our Finder Awards data and researched 69 pet insurance policies (that's nearly all pet insurance policies available in Australia), looking at features including annual limit, benefit percentage, discounts and excess. Remember, there's no single best pet insurance policy that suits each one of our furry friends, since we all have different budgets and priorities.
Why you can trust our research
60+ pet insurance policies analysed
140+ prices gathered
80+ hours of research
Top pick for cheap: Budget Direct pet insurance
Pros
- Budget Direct’s Essential cover was the cheapest insurer of the 23 providers we analysed as part of the 2024 Finder awards.
- There are 3 levels of cover available so you can pick which suits you best; essential, comprehensive or plus.
- New customers get 15% off their first year’s premium when they buy a policy online. T&Cs apply.
Cons
- The Essentials cover plan is so cheap because it covers less than other insurers. For example, it offers up tp $12,000 worth of cover in yearly benefits while other insurers can offer up to $30,000.
- There is no discount available for insuring multiple pets. Other insurers like PIA offer a multi-pet discount.
- It has limited excess options meaning less control over your premium cost.
Top pick for features: Medibank Max with Extra Care Pet Insurance
Pros
- $30,000 annual limit – one of the highest on the market.
- Covers 90% of eligible vet bills. The average is 80%.
- GapOnly cover lets you claim on the spot and 24/7 VetChat subscription lets you chat to a vet.
- Up to $2,000 towards dental conditions – most insurers don't offer this.
Cons
- 90% back is higher than average but some can cover 100%.
- There's a 10% discount but it's only available to Medibank and ahm health members.
- Its other plans are not as comprehensive.
Top pick for perks: Everyday Comprehensive Plus Pet Insurance
Pros
- 10% off your Woolies shop every single month.
- Free access to VetAssist with every policy, valued at $199 per year.
- GapOnly cover lets you claim on the spot, as opposed to pay for the full vet bill and wait to be reimbursed.
- $30,000 annual limit – one of the largest on the market.
Cons
- 80% back on vet bills. Coles, Medibank and Knose can cover 90% or 100%.
- The discount is no good if you don't shop at Woolies.
- No multi-pet discount.
Top pick for no sub-limits: Knose Pet Insurance
Pros
- No sub-limits on specific conditions.
- Covers 90% of eligible vet bills and you can claim up to $25,000 per year.
- Most cover 80% of vet bills and have a $15,000 cap.
Cons
- A small number of policies cover 100% of vet bills.
- It doesn't do GapOnly payments. You need to pay the full vet bill and wait to be reimbursed.
- It's no good for pets aged over 9. They aren't eligible.
Top pick for no waiting periods: Fetch Pet Insurance
Pros
- Waiting periods can be waived if you simply upload a video of your pet that proves they're healthy.
- You're covered for up to $30,000 per 12 months.
- Can cover up to 100% of vet bills, up to the cover limit.
Cons
- Does not cover desexxing your pet.
- Does not cover routine care or vaccinations.
- Does not cover costs related to breeding, including pregnancy and caesarean surgery.
Top pick for routine care: PIA Major Medical Cover
Pros
- The only policy out of 60+ to automatically cover routine care e.g desexing, microchipping, council registration fees and vaccinations.
- Claim up to $30,145 per year, the highest annual limit out of all Australian pet insurers.
- First 2 months free. Based on average pet insurance costs, this could knock $160 off your bill.
Cons
- You get 80% back on vet bills. Insurers including Coles offer up to 100% back.
- It has some sub-limits, a $3,000 cap on tick paralysis and $1,200 for emergency boarding.
- The $145 routine care benefit might not be enough for everyone.
Top pick for value: Bow Wow Meow Ultimate Care Plan
Pros
- It won the Finder Awards for best value policy. It's cheaper than other insurers but gives you more for your money.
- Covers 80% of eligible vet bills. Most cover 80% of vet bills.
- Claim up to $20,000 per year. Most have a $15,000 cap.
Cons
- A small number of policies cver 100% of vet bills.
- Some insurers cover up to $30,000 a year.
Top pick for comprehensiveness: Petinsurance.com.au Platinum Cover
Pros
- Comprehensive policy winner in the 2024 Finder Awards.
- It covers 80% of eligible vet bills and comes with GapOnly cover.
- Claim up to $30,000 a year for accidents and illnesses.
Cons
- There are cheaper and more basic policies elsewhere.
- It has sub-limits for certain treatments including cruciate ligament conditions ($3,000).
- Some policies can cover you for 90%.
How much are Australians spending on pet insurance?
Every month, we ask a bunch of Aussies what they're paying for their pet insurance. Here's what their bill looked like in$122
Price based on 166 responses about their monthly premium in August 2024.Tips to find the best pet insurance policy
Keep these 3 tips top of mind and it'll be much easier for you to find a good pet insurance policy:
Don't settle for a low annual limit
Pet insurance policies typically let you claim up to $15,000 a year. This may seem like a lot but surgery can exceed $20,000 in some cases. Always check the annual benefit limit before you buy. Everyday ($30,000), Petsy ($25,000) and RSPCA ($20,000) all offer more than average.
Look for a reimbursement rate of 80% or higher
The reimbursement rate, or benefit percentage, is the amount of the vet bill the pet insurer will cover you for. Most comprehensive pet insurance policies will pay 80% of all eligible vet bills. Some, such as Coles (100%) and Petsy (90%) offer more. A high benefit percentage is best for those who don't want to risk facing big out-of-pocket expenses.
Don't hold off on pet insurance until your pet is older
If they develop any health conditions before you've taken out pet insurance, they will be considered pre-existing conditions by the insurer and you won't usually be covered for any treatment related to that condition. Some insurers won't cover your pet at all once they are 9 or older.
Once you have narrowed down your options, get some quotes from each insurer. This will help you see who offers the best-priced pet insurance policy for you.
Why you can trust Finder's pet insurance experts
FAQs about finding the best pet insurance
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