How much does pet insurance cost for different dog breeds?

Choose from 560 breeds. Enter your dog's breed below and get an average cost.

Cost breakdown for different breeds Compare prices
Cheapest & most expensive breeds to insure Learn more

Key takeaways

  • Every dog breed is unique and wonderful - and every breed costs a different amount to insure!
  • A Maltese Cross is typically the cheapest dog to insure ($821), according to our research.
  • At $2,374, Australian bulldog miniatures are the most expensive dogs to insure.

5 cheapest breeds to insure

Cheapest Dog Breeds to Ensure

Finder survey: Have pet insurance premiums gone up for people in the last 12 months?

ResponseMaleFemale
074.59%73.98%
113.82%16.12%
210.16%8.35%
30.61%0.78%
40.41%0.58%
50.41%0.19%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1009 Australians, December 2023

5 most expensive breeds to insure

Expensive Dog Breeds to Insure

Compare pet insurance premiums by dog breed

Dog Breed1 year old Average Accident & Illness Cost (Annual)5 year old Average Accident & Illness Cost (Annual)
Cavoodle$885$1,156
Labrador$1,394$1,830
Golden Retriever$1,238$1,637
Maltese Cross$821$1,121
Staffordshire Bull Terrier$1,215$1,578
Border Collie$992$1,313
French Bulldog$2,309$3,101
German Shepherd$1,270$1,672
Miniature Dachshund$1,112$1,867
Labradoodle$1,060$1,437

Just pop in your dog's breed below, and see how much you might pay for comprehensive cover, and how much pet insurance costs for different breeds. Curious to know how we got the numbers? Read more about our methodology below

Methodology: We averaged out the cost from 6 Australian pet insurance providers for accident and illness plan, we selected a $0 excess, wherever possible. Quotes were taken in November 2021 for a male, desexed dog that was born on 13/2/2016 for the 5-year-old dog and 13/2/2020 for the 1-year-old dog. The owner was 24 years old at the time, residing in the 2010 postcode.

Compare pet insurance options for your dog

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.

How does pet insurance work?

Pet insurance premium

Pay for protection

To avoid unexpected veterinary costs if your pet suffers from an illness or injury, with pet insurance, you pay a premium either monthly or annually – policies cost an average of $20 to $60 a month.

Vet hospital

Visit a vet

You can visit any licensed vet in Australia if your pet gets sick (as long as it's not due to a pre-existing condition) or injured. In most cases, you pay the vet directly for the bill. Some providers in Australia offer GapOnly, which means your pet insurance claim is calculated while you're at the vet, so you only pay the gap.

Money back

Get reimbursed

You get between 60% and 100% of your pet's vet costs reimbursed. You can generally claim a maximum of $12,000 and $25,000 per year, depending on the policy you choose, which is why it's worth comparing pet insurance.

What changes the cost of pet insurance?

Yes, breed can impact the cost of pet insurance, but that's not all. Here are a few other factors that play a significant part in setting your premiums.

Pet age

Age

Premiums usually increase with your dog's age, especially for illness cover.

Pet breed

Breed

Different breeds have different risk levels. Large dogs for example are typically more at risk of cruciate ligament injuries, while other breeds might be more susceptible to medication allergies. Pedigree breeds in particular are more susceptible to congenital health issues.

Pet gender

Sex

Different breeds are more susceptible to certain health risks.

Pet neuter

Desexing

Desexing your dog can significantly lower your premiums as it reduces the risk of your dog contracting common serious illnesses and the likelihood of risky behaviour, such as running away or aggression towards other dogs.

Pet location

Location

This can affect how likely your dog is to experience injuries, such as being hit by a car, as well as the typical vet fees you can run into. There's usually little regulation around how much vets can charge for their services, so you might find different prices in different places.

While veterinary fees are largely unregulated, the insurance industry is not. Your premiums are a reflection of actual risk levels, so higher premiums generally mean you're more likely to get more use out of your pet insurance.

How can I lower my pet insurance premiums?

There are several tips and tricks to reduce your pet insurance premiums. However, doing so could mean you'll be out of pocket later down the line:

Raise your excess. By choosing a higher pet insurance excess (the amount you'll have to pay if you make a claim), you are likely to find lower premiums than the averages listed on this page.

Pick a different type of cover. Accident-only cover is typically the cheapest dog insurance, whereas cover for accidents and illness is generally the most expensive. You can also select different policy limits to reduce your premium - this is the most your pet insurance will pay out in a 12 month period.

Shop around. Different insurers might assess dogs differently based on their breed and age, so the cheapest option for one person is not necessarily the cheapest for another. It's always worth shopping around to see if you can find better value dog insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Francesca Guerrera's headshot
Publisher

Francesca Guerrera was a Publisher at Finder, helping Aussies find the best deals when it comes to getting pet insurance for their fur babies or taking out life insurance. She has a Bachelor of Communications in Journalism from the University of New South Wales. See full bio

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