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Pet insurance South Australia

Whether you live in the city or the country, pet insurance can help you protect your furry friend.

In South Australia, it's not uncommon for us to be sharing our backyards and properties with a range of native wildlife. And while we know not to provoke wild animals, our pets often don't.

Combine that with the risk of busy traffic in populated areas and the risk of illnesses like cancer and it makes sense to consider pet insurance. A policy can cover you for accidents and illnesses whenever the unexpected happens.

Compare pet insurance in SA

We get that price matters, but we don't include costs in our pet insurance comparison. This is because quotes are tailored to the pet you own, including their age and breed. So compare the features of each policy in our table first, then get your own personalised quote.

Name Product Accidental Injury Illness Paralysis Tick Yearly Sub-Limit Maximum yearly benefit Reimbursement rate Reimbursement Rate
Medibank Pet Max Cover with Extra Care
tick
tick
$30,000
$30,000
90%
90%
Get your first month free if you sign-up by 19 August 2024. Use promocode 1FREE. T&Cs Apply.
PIA Major Medical Cover
tick
tick
$3,000
$30,145
80%
80%
Covers specified accidents and illnesses, with Routine Care Cover included. Get 2 months free when you sign up using the code PIA202. T&Cs apply.
Budget Direct Pet Insurance
tick
tick
$1,500
$12,000
80%
80%
Apply online and get 15% off your first year's premium. T&Cs apply.
Coles Premium Cover
tick
tick
$2,500
$15,000
80% or 100%
80% or 100%
Earn 10x Flybuys points per $1 spent on pet food at Coles Supermarkets. T&Cs apply.
PD Deluxe Plan
tick
tick
$15,000
$20,000
100%
100%
Apply online and get your first 1 month free. T&Cs apply.
Fetch Pet Insurance
tick
tick
$30,000
$30,000
80% or 90% or 100%
80% or 90% or 100%
Get dental, physio and behaviour cover included and skip wait periods by following our in-app journey.
Pet Circle Dog Cover
tick
tick
$10K or $17.5K or $30K
$0
70% or 80% or 90%
70% or 80% or 90%
Get 2 months free when you sign up using the code PCI2FREE. T&Cs apply.
Vets Choice Elite Cover
tick
tick
$2,500
$15,000
80% or 100%
80% or 100%
Get a 5% discount when you insure more than one pet.
Guardian Platinum Accident & Illness Cover
tick
tick
$1,200
$12,000
80%
80%
Lifetime cover for cats and dogs, up to 80% covered.
Petsy Custom Cover
tick
tick
$5000 or $10,000 or $25,000
$0
80% or 90%
80% or 90%
⭐ Finder Exclusive: Enjoy 30% off your first month of pet insurance, plus receive a custom pet tag. Sign up using the code FINDER. T&Cs apply.
Real Premium Accident & Illness Cover
tick
tick
$1,200
$12,000
80%
80%
Claim up to a maximum of $12k per year, with no excess to pay.
RSPCA Ultimate Plus Accident and Illness Cover
tick
tick
$20,000
$20,000
80%
80%
Comprehensive cover for your pet, including the option of routine care. Get 1 month free for the first year of new policies. T&C's apply.
Australian Seniors Top Accident & Illness Cover
tick
tick
$1,200
$12,000
80%
80%
Benefits include overseas cover when in NZ or Norfolk Island for your pet, plus an optional routine care add-on.
Knose Pet Insurance
Finder AwardExclusive
Knose Pet Insurance
tick
tick
$25,000
$25,000
90%
90%
⭐Finder Exclusive: Get 10% off your first year. Sign up using promo code FINDER10. T&C's apply.
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Why compare pet insurance with Finder?

  • You pay the same price as buying directly from the pet insurer.

  • We're not owned by an insurer (unlike other comparison sites).

  • We don't ask for your phone or email.

  • We've reviewed over 35 policies on the market, so you don't have to.

Finder survey: Did Australians of different ages buy a pet during COVID?

Response75+ yrs65-74 yrs55-64 yrs45-54 yrs35-44 yrs25-34 yrs18-24 yrs
No100%93.83%91.56%83.72%83.24%77.66%71.57%
Yes6.17%8.44%16.28%16.76%22.34%28.43%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1009 Australians, December 2023

How does pet insurance work?

There are three types of cover to choose from:

When you compare different pet insurance options you can find around South Australia, you'll discover the following differences:

  • Percentage of costs covered. This might be only 50% with basic pet insurance and up to 80% with comprehensive plans. The insurer covers this percentage of costs, while you pay the remaining out of your own pocket.
  • Annual limits. Basic policies might pay up to $5,000 a year for vet bills, while comprehensive ones might cover up to $15,000 or more.

If you're after the cheapest pet insurance in South Australia, it's most likely going to be an accident-only policy. However, in the long run, comprehensive cover might end up being better value for money.

How much does pet insurance cost in SA?

The table below gives you an idea of how much pet insurance costs in South Australia. Remember that your personalised quote will differ based on factors such as your pet's age and breed.

PolicyCost per weekCost per monthCost per yearCost of cover over 5 yearsCost of cover over 10 years
Accident-only cover$4.62$20$240$1,200$2,400
Accident and illness cover$8.08 - $12.69$35 - $55$420 - $660$2,100 - $3,300$4,200 - $6,600
Accident and illness cover plus routine and preventative care$13.85+$60+$720+$3,600+$7,200+

Is it worth getting pet insurance?

If you want peace of mind and you don't want to worry about whether or not you can afford certain vet bills, then it's worth it. If you're not sure whether it's good value for money, take a look at the cost of some common vet bills and see how much insurance can help.

Illness or injuryTotal cost of treatmentAmount covered by pet insurance (80% of bill)Remaining amount you would need to pay
Cruciate ligament surgery$2,500$2,000$500
Vomiting/diarrhoea$200-$3,000$160-$2,400$40-$600
Tick paralysis$5,000$4,000$1,000
Snake bite$2,000$1,600$400
Bone fractures$2,500$2,000$500
Ingesting a foreign body$2,000$1,600$400
Cancer$2,000$1,600$400

*Disclaimer: Please note that the costs quoted in the above table are guides only. Costs can vary greatly based on severity, required treatment and how much your vet charges. For example, the quoted cost for a snake bite is $2,000, but in severe cases, treatment could cost well over $10,000.

Common exclusions to look out for

All insurance policies have exclusions, and pet insurance is no exception. In South Australia, some of the conditions to watch out for as you compare pet insurance include the following:

  • No cover for dental issues. Not all policies cover pet dentistry.
  • Pre-existing conditions. These are conditions that were apparent prior to taking out cover and are not usually covered.
  • Occupational use. Guard dogs and hunting dogs might not be covered for injuries they receive while working. Guide dogs and assistance animals are exempt from this rule.
  • Breeding and pregnancy. When a pet's used for breeding purposes, it might not be covered Pregnancy-related health issues generally aren't covered either.

Laws for pet owners in SA

In South Australia, there are a few laws pet owners need to be aware of.

  • All cats and dogs need to be microchipped by three months of age.
  • All cats and dogs born after 1 July 2018 must be desexed (unless exempt).
  • Anyone who breeds must register with the Dog and Cat Management Board as a breeder.

Why you can trust Finder's pet insurance experts

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independentYou can trust us. We say it like it is. We aren't owned by an insurer and our opinions are our own.

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Gary Ross Hunter's headshot
Editor, Insurance & Innovations

Gary Ross Hunter is 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 739 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
  • Managing the cost of living

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