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.
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.
Accidents:
Illnesses:
Routine care: Optional add on
Reimbursement rate: 90% Annual limit: $30,000 Cruciate ligament sub-limit: No
We researched over 60 accident and illness pet insurance policies and selected our Medibank because its top plan has one of the highest annual limits ($30,000) and reimbursement rates (90%) on the market. For example, Everyday also comes with a $30,000 limit. However, it has an 80% reimbursement rate. It also comes with GapOnly cover, VetChat, no sub-limits and covers certain dental conditions such as gingivitis and teeth removal.
Top pick for value: Bow Wow Meow Nose-to-Tail Cover
Pros
Winner of the 2024 Finder Award for Best Value pet insurance. This is because it was competitively priced while offering generous coverage limits.
It has 3 different reimbursement rates which can be used to help tailor the cost of your premium to what’s affordable. Options include 70%, 80% and 90%.
Bow Wow Meow has a generous mult-pet discount of 10%. Most other insurers offer 5% for this.
Cons
Some other policies have the option to cover 100% of vet bills.
Some insurers cover alternative therapy as standard.
Accidents:
Illnesses:
Routine care:
Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80% or 90% Annual limit: $30,000 Cruciate ligament sub-limit: No sub-limit
We picked Bow Wow Meow as the top pick for value because it won this year’s Finder Award for Best Value Pet Insurance. It includes comprehensive coverage, yet remains comparatively affordable.
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.
We picked Budget Direct because its Essential plan was the cheapest of the 23 we researched as part of the 2024 Finder Pet Insurance Awards. It’s important to note that it was cheaper because it covers less, however, it’s drastically more affordable than other providers which can be a valuable option for budget conscious pet owners.
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.
Accidents:
Illnesses:
Routine care: Optional add on
Reimbursement rate: 80% Annual limit: $30,000 Cruciate ligament sub-limit: $5,000 per leg, per policy period
We researched 60+ accident and illness pet insurance policies and selected Everyday because it has one of the most valuable discounts on the the market. It also comes with Vet Assist and GapOnly cover. No other insurer offered all of these features and benefits.
We picked Knose pet insurance because it's one of the insurers that doesn't do sub-limits on specific conditions. Some insurers, for example, have sub-limits of around $1,500 on conditions such as cruciate ligament problems or tick paralysis. There are a few other insurers who also don't do sub-limits but we selected Knose because it's also previously been a Finder Award winner and has high limits.
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%.
Accidents:
Illnesses:
Routine care:
Reimbursement rate: 80% or 90% Annual limit: $0 Cruciate ligament sub-limit: $5000 or $10,000 or $25,000
We researched 24 accident and illness pet insurance policies as part of our Finder Awards. We gathered over 140 quotes and analysed 160+ features. Petinsurance.com.au came in first-place for comprehensiveness. It covers more than many other insurers and is still competitively priced.
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 December 2024.
$132
Price based on 160+ responses about their monthly premium in December 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.
Pet or pay?
Aussies would fork out more than $6k to save their furry friend, according to a new survey by Finder. With pet insurance, you don't need to worry about spending this eye watering amount.
Top 5 pet insurance brands for customer satisfaction in 2024
To help you figure out what pet insurance company is the best in 2024, we asked over 400 Australians for their opinion and got our insurance experts to rate some of Australia's well-known brands.
Brand
Overall satisfaction
Trustworthy/reliable
★★★★★ 4.39
97%
★★★★★ 4.34
94%
★★★★★ 4.27
97%
★★★★★ 4.24
94%
★★★★★ 4.23
91%
Finding the best pet insurance for cats
When looking for the best pet insurance policy for your cat, it can help to know a few details about your cat’s breed and any associated genetic disorders. Here’s a few things to keep in mind.
Pale skinned cats. If your cat has white ears or a pink nose, it usually means they’ll need to be protected from the sun to avoid skin cancers. To ensure you’re covered for the worst, have a look at how your provider covers cancer and skin conditions.
Congenital heart defects. These can be standard among many cat breeds but are easily treated with the help of a vet. Read your PDS closely to know how you can be covered for this.
Flat faced breeds. If you have a flat faced breed of cat, like a Persian or Exotic Shorthair then they may be predisposed to a range of respiratory related conditions. Additionally, the shape of their skull can lead to abnormalities with their teeth, resulting in dental issues. If you’ve got a flat faced breed, it could be wise to check if and how your policy covers these conditions.
Finding the best pet insurance for dogs
To help find the best pet insurance for your dog, it can help to understand more about your dog’s breed and what you’re more likely to need to make a claim for. Here’s a few things to consider.
Larger dogs and joint health. Larger dog breeds like Great Danes, Mastiffs and Saint Bernards are more likely to struggle with hip dysplasia or arthritis due to their larger bone structure. To optimise your policy for this, be sure to check these conditions are covered and what the associated sub-limit is.
Smaller dogs and joint health. Smaller breeds like Dachshunds are known for their back issues due to their elongated spine and Shih Tzus are notorious for having knee cap issues. Be sure to understand how your policy can help in the event of these issues.
Skin health. Just like humans, dogs can have allergies too. This can show up by way of skin irritations and balding fur. While some breeds are more prone to these issues than others, it’s a fairly common concern across the board. See how your provider covers skin conditions to ensure you’ve got the right coverage.
FAQs about finding the best pet insurance
If you want to give your pet the highest protection money can buy, a comprehensive plan will typically cover your pet for:
Accidental injuries. Your insurer will pay a percentage (usually around 80%) of the vet expenses for accidental injuries to your pet. This can include car accidents, snake bites, allergic reactions, insect bites, injuries from falls, bone fractures and ligament and tendon injuries. You'll be able to claim up to a certain amount each year – for example, $15,000.
Illnesses. If your pet suffers a specified illness, your policy will cover up to 80% of the veterinary costs you incur as a result. Pet insurance policies typically cover most treatments related to your pet's illnesses including imaging services and cancer treatments. There's one main exception. If your pet contracts an illness which it could have been vaccinated for or if its illness is related to a pre-existing condition, you typically won't be covered.
Emergency boarding. If you are your pet's sole carer and you're hospitalised for more than 5 consecutive days, a comprehensive policy usually provides cover for the cost of finding emergency boarding for your pet.
Essential euthanasia. Nobody wants to think about this but in cases where euthanasia is deemed to be the most humane option, your pet insurer can cover the costs.
Paralysis tick benefit. If your pet requires treatment for tick paralysis, all policies will cover you. However, be careful, some policies only cover up to $1,200 of the costs. In some cases, the actual treatment can cost more than $2,000.
Routine care. This optional benefit is typically available as an add-on to comprehensive policies. It helps pay for preventative health care procedures, such as vet check-ups, microchipping and vaccinations. However, it typically doesn't cover all of the costs.
The cost of living crisis is pushing the price of everything up but it's still possible to get pet insurance that covers accidents and illnesses for around $30 a month. Budget Direct pet insurance offered the cheapest level of accident and illness cover, according to our 2024 awards research.
Comprehensive pet insurance costs on average around $80 a month. However, costs differ a lot depending on the species, breed and age of your pet. For example, dogs tend to be more expensive than cats. Similarly, popular breeds such as cavoodles, Maltese crosses and Jack Russell terriers are likely to cost you much less to insure than bigger dogs – often around $60 a month.
Most pet insurance policies don't cover pre-existing medical conditions (an ailment that your pet already had before they were insured), so it's a good idea to take out pet insurance before this occurs. You can take out pet insurance as early as 6–8 weeks old. If they develop any illnesses after you've taken out a policy, you'll be covered.
All of the pet insurance policies we've selected cover your cat or dog in Queensland. They cover accidents and illnesses, including snake bites, tick paralysis and heat stroke.
All of the pet insurance policies we've selected cover your dog or cat in Melbourne. They cover accidents and illnesses, including snake bites, tick paralysis and heat stroke.
Yes, desexing is typically included in policies with routine care cover.
Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio
Gary Ross's expertise
Gary Ross has written 641 Finder guides across topics including:
Accident only pet insurance will protect your pet from a range of accidents including getting hit by a car, being bit by a snake and even eating things they shouldn’t be eating.
Find out what will impact your pet insurance premium and receive quotes from Australian pet insurance brands. Key steps to reduce what you pay for cover.
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