Compare pet insurance quicker than you can say “Down, boy!”

Why you can trust Finder's pet insurance experts

Every good boy (and gal) deserves great cover. Thats why we've spent over 20 hours researching pet insurance, and dished out pats to 50+ dogs to create this guide.

No extra cost. Pay the same amount going direct. Features are verified from 20+ policies all in one place, so you don't have to check the same limits over and over again (boring!).

No BS. You won't get any annoying calls, because we don't have a call centre. We're not owned by an insurer and pride ourselves on listening to real human (and pet) experiences for all our research.

Frequently asked questions

• Does pet insurance cover vaccinations?

  Yes, if you get a pet insurance policy that includes routine care, this usually gives you a small allowance for vaccinations. However, the amount covered is often small, usually around $50–$80 per year.

  Pet insurance is better in unexpected (and costly) accidents and illnesses. Vaccinations are generally one of the more affordable vet visits you'll have with your pet.

• Is it worth shopping around for pet insurance?

  In our very humble opinion, yes. There are 2 main ways pet insurance policies can differ (a lot), which is why it's worth shopping around:

  1. Annual limits (how much you can claim in a year, ranging from around $5,000 to $30,000)
  2. Reimbursement rates (some will pay you 60% of the vet bill, others pay the whole lot)

• Can I get pet insurance with 100% reimbursement?

  Yes, several pet insurers can pay for 100% of eligible vet bills. These include PetsOnMe, Coles, Vets Choice and PD. However, you will usually still have to pay an excess of between $75 and $200 when you make a claim. Most insurers let you choose your excess amount.

• What does pet insurance cover?

  A pet insurance policy will typically cover your pet for the following:

  • Illnesses. Pet insurance can cover common pet illnesses such as conjunctivitis and ear infections as well as scarier things such as cancer and surgery.
  • Accidents. Animal fights, car accidents and swallowing objects are common occurrences with pets. Insurance can cover this and more.
  • Emergency boarding. If you're hospitalised for an extended period or in an emergency situation, most policies will cover the cost of boarding for your pet until you're able to get home again.
  • Overseas pet travel insurance. This extends your cover overseas but generally only if you're travelling to New Zealand or Norfolk Island.
  • Essential euthanasia. If euthanasia is deemed humane and essential by your vet, your insurance provider will cover the expenses.
  • Paralysis tick treatment. Your policy will cover some of the costs associated with paralysis tick bites.

• What is not covered by pet insurance?

  Just like any other type of insurance, pet insurance doesn't cover everything. Here are some common exclusions:

  • Pre-existing conditions that your pet was diagnosed with or showing signs of before you got insurance.
  • Treatment for diseases for which there is a known vaccine. This includes kennel cough and parvovirus.
  • Preventative treatments and procedures such as vaccinations or flea/tick control, unless you have routine cover included.
  • Breeding or pregnancy, or any conditions resulting from these.
  • Grooming, including shampoos, baths, dips or any cosmetic surgeries.
  • Training, socialisation and any alternative therapies.
  • Dental procedures or dental diseases. Some insurers offer specialist dental cover, but this isn't very common in Australia.

• When should you get pet insurance?

  You can get pet insurance once they're 8 weeks or older. It's a good idea to get cover while your pet is young and healthy before they develop any pre-existing conditions. Once your pet reaches 9 years old, some insurers won't cover them.

• How much does pet insurance cost?

  We crunched the numbers on 560 dog breeds and 99 cat breeds and found:

  • The average cost of accident and illness pet insurance for a 5-year-old dog was $85.83 per month.
  • The average cost of car insurance was $51.69 a month.

  The average Australian dog owner spends $1,627 a year and the average cat owner spends $962 a year on their pets.

• Does all pet insurance go up with age?

  Yes, in Australia all pet insurance policies go up as your pet ages. If you find your insurance has gone up a lot, call your provider and see if they're able to lower your costs.

• Are there waiting periods for pet insurance?

  Yes. Waiting periods are generally as follows:

  • 0 days for accidents
  • Between 14 and 30 days for illnesses
  • 6 months for long-term health conditions, for example cruciate ligament conditions

• Does pet insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

  A pre-existing condition is an illness or ailment that existed prior to the date you took out a pet insurance policy. In general, pet insurance won't cover you.

  However, in some cases, if your vet advises that your pet's condition is fully cured and no longer impacting their ongoing health, some insurers will cover your pet for that ailment.