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.
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?
Response
75+ yrs
65-74 yrs
55-64 yrs
45-54 yrs
35-44 yrs
25-34 yrs
18-24 yrs
No
100%
93.83%
91.56%
83.72%
83.24%
77.66%
71.57%
Yes
6.17%
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:
Accident only. This policy only covers injuries that are the result of accidents.
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.
Policy
Cost per week
Cost per month
Cost per year
Cost of cover over 5 years
Cost 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 injury
Total cost of treatment
Amount 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.
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.
Specifically excluded conditions and illnesses
Patella luxations (dislocating kneecap)
Elbow dysplasia
Intervertebral disc disease
Illnesses or injuries caused by parasites, except as specifically covered by your policy.
Cruciate ligament conditions, except as specifically covered under your policy
For dogs specifically:
Infectious canine hepatitis (canine adenovirus)
Parvovirus
Canine distemper
Parainfluenza
Kennel cough
For cats specifically:
Panleukopenia
Chlamydia
Leukemia
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
Viral rhinotracheitis
Calicivirus
Herpes
Cat flu
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).
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:
Worried that your dog has a cruciate ligament injury? This guide covers what cruciate ligament is, your options for treatment, and how much can be covered by different pet insurance brands.
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