Proudly helping Queenslanders since 1905, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) offers two different classes of pet insurance: standalone cover for illness and injury and an optional add-on to your RACQ home contents policy. This page is about the standalone illness and injury pet insurance policy, which covers your pets for 80% of vet bills, up to $12,000 a year.
RACQ pet insurance is not currently available via Finder. But don't fret! You can head to their website at www.racq.com.au for more information or compare a bunch of other pet insurance companies with Finder.
RACQ pet insurance covers domestic dogs and cats for accidental injury as well as illness. The RACQ does not offer accident-only insurance.
What am I covered for?
After a 21-day waiting period, you can claim a flat rate of 80% for eligible vet expenses. The maximum you can claim each year is $12,000.
Choose your excess. You can choose the excess you wish to pay – $100, $200 or none at all. The excess does not apply to the optional wellness cover, and no excess will be deducted from emergency boarding costs.
Optional wellness care. RACQ’s Tender Loving Care add-on allows you to claim up to $100 annually for services and products, such as teeth cleaning, vaccinations and special diets prescribed by your vet.
Essential euthanasia. If your pet needs to be put down, this is covered up to 80% of vet costs.
Emergency boarding. Up to $1,000 per year is covered, in addition to the $12,000 limit, if you are unexpectedly hospitalised for five or more consecutive days and there is nobody who can reasonably look after your pet.
Overseas travel cover. Your pet is covered if you take it with you to New Zealand or Norfolk Island, as long as it is travelling under your supervision.
What exclusions are there?
After-hours treatment and home visits, unless your vet deems it to be a medical emergency
Alternative therapies, training and behavioural therapy, except as covered by the Tender Loving Care option
Ambulance transport and non-essential hospitalisation
Any course of treatment that conflicts with your vet's recommendations
Banned or restricted dog breeds and crossbreeds will not be insured, and neither will any dog listed as dangerous by a government authority
Deliberate harm, illegal activities and negligence, including failure to apply preventative treatment for fleas and worms
Dental care
Diseases caused by fleas, worms and other parasites (except for paralysis ticks)
Elective treatments and selected conditions including a dislocating kneecap
Emergency boarding if someone living with you can reasonably look after your pet, or if you are going into hospital for an elective procedure
Essential euthanasia, if it is necessitated by one of the conditions for which you are not covered
Genetic testing, transplants and devices such as pacemakers or artificial joints
Infectious diseases such as Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) and kennel cough, unless all your pet’s vaccinations are up to date
Injury, loss or damage caused by your pet to your property or anyone else’s property
Ordinary day-to-day care, including vitamins, grooming and accessories
Pre-existing conditions
Pregnancy and obstetrics
If you use your pet for commercial or occupational purposes, such as racing or hunting
How do I make a claim?
To be reimbursed for eligible expenses, you need to fill out a claim form and ask your vet to complete the relevant sections as well. You will need to provide your furry friend's full veterinary history when making your first claim unless you are claiming one of the eligible benefits covered by the Tender Loving Care option. You must submit all your original receipts and itemised invoices with your claim, although it’s important to keep a copy for your own records. You must also inform RACQ immediately if your furry friend may already have cover under a different insurance policy.
Pet cover under your RACQ home contents policy
A pet insurance optionis available with RACQ home and/or contents insurance. This is an extra you can choose for an additional cost and it covers up to two pets for accidental injury or illness.
You’re covered for up to $750 per claim, with a standard excess of $50.
A different PDS applies, so read the fine print in the product disclosure statements (PDS) relating to RACQ home insurance. Standalone pet insurance is explained in a separate PDS.
Other questions you may have
No. You automatically become a member by taking out a policy. This means you also become eligible for all the perks that come with membership, such as discounts on movie tickets and car batteries.
Yes, although you may be charged an annual “pay by the month” fee. Any percentage discounts that apply to your premiums will not be deducted from this fee.
Yes. You have a cooling-off period of 21 days from when your policy starts, or from midnight on your renewal date, to cancel your policy without charge. If you have made a claim within that time, you will not be eligible for free cancellation.
Yes. RACQ policies are valid for any licensed vet in Australia.
If your pet shows no clinical signs or symptoms of a curable condition for 18 months after making a full recovery, you can apply to have cover for this condition reinstated. You will need to provide suitable documentation from your vet to support your application.
You can’t purchase a new policy after your pet reaches nine years of age. You also have to wait until it’s eight weeks old to get cover. You can continue to cover your pet for its lifetime as long as the policy commences prior to your pet’s ninth birthday and you renew it without any breaks.
Alexandra Koster was Finder's publisher for car, home and pet insurance. She has a Tier 1 certification in General Insurance, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Cultural Studies from the University of Sydney. Her hobbies include reading Product Disclosure Statements and deciphering complicated insurance lingo to help people save on their insurance so that they can spend their money on better things – like dogs. See full bio
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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