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Pet insurance for older dogs and cats
Finding pet insurance for older dogs and cats can be tricky, but we've found ones that'll cover pets older than 9. Filter, compare and click through for a quote.
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Key takeaways
Older pets are harder to insure. It's harder to find cover and cover will be more expensive.
Every pet insurance policy has a maximum entry age, ranging between 9 and 15 years.
Any pre-existing conditions won't be covered at all.
Pet insurance costs for senior dogs
Provider
Age
Annual cost
Age
Annual cost
Age
Annual cost
Medibank
9
N/A
12
N/A
15
N/A
Fetch
9
$2,613.12
12
N/A
15
N/A
PIA
9
$1,081.27
12
N/A
15
N/A
PD
9
$293.88
12
$293.88
15
N/A
Everyday
9
$1,581.28
12
$2,260.60
15
$3,000
Pet Circle
9
N/A
12
N/A
15
N/A
Guardian
9
$1,941.22
12
$1,145.56
15
$1,796.57
Real
9
$1,969.57
12
$1,144.97
15
$1,795.69
RSPCA
9
$744.30
12
$1,143.42
15
$1,948.03
Australian Seniors
9
$2,146.13
12
$1,194.35
15
$1,872.81
*The above prices reflect quotes for a comprehensive policy for a Cavoodle dog. This should be used as a guide only as your own quote will differ depending on your pet’s age and needs.
Pet insurance costs for senior cats
Provider
Age
Annual cost
Age
Annual cost
Age
Annual cost
Medibank
9
N/A
12
N/A
15
N/A
Fetch
9
N/A
12
N/A
15
N/A
PIA
9
$683.63
12
N/A
15
N/A
PD
9
$191.88
12
$191.88
15
N/A
Everyday
9
$644.77
12
$902.32
15
$1,109.26
Pet Circle
9
N/A
12
N/A
15
N/A
Guardian
9
$1,598.66
12
$1,077.81
15
$1,689.68
Real
9
$1,624.19
12
$1,077.28
15
$1,688.84
RSPCA
9
$700.59
12
$1,075.73
15
$1,831.98
Australian Seniors
9
$1,767.06
12
$1,123.68
15
$1,761.33
*The above prices reflect quotes for a comprehensive policy for a Domestic shorthair. This should be used as a guide only as your own quote will differ depending on your pet’s age and needs.
What types of insurance are available for older dogs and cats?
Pet insurers typically won't cover your pet with their most comprehensive plan. This is if because older dog and cats are more prone to illnesses.
However, there might be some circumstances where you can still get cover – for instance if they are still under 9 years old. There are generally 3 levels of insurance you can choose from:
Accident-only insurance. This is the lowest level of cover, and therefore usually the cheapest. It covers injuries caused by an accident including broken bones from a car accident, scratches, burns and snake bites. It won't pay for all types of accidents though.
Accident and illness cover. This protects your four-legged friend against accidents, sickness and disease. This can include cancer, infectious diseases, hereditary illnesses and skin conditions.
Comprehensive cover. If you're able to get comprehensive cover, you usually get similar protection against the accidents and illnesses outlined above, but they come with a higher benefit limit. This is the amount you can claim back for treatment. On top of that, you often get routine care, which can reimburse you for expenses like training, prescription diets, deworming and desexing.
Is there an age limit for pet insurance?
There isn't an age limit for pet insurance as long as your pet is insured and you keep paying your premium. But if you don't have pet insurance, you generally need to take a policy out before your dog or cat turns 9 or you won't be able to get comprehensive cover.
If your furry friend is over 9, don't worry. You should still be able to get a policy; you just won't be able to get comprehensive cover.
Pet insurance for dogs over 9
It's still possible to get pet insurance for a 9-year-old or older dog, but there are a couple of caveats:
You probably won't be covered for illnesses. Most insurers won't cover your pet for illnesses once they're over the age of 9 so if you're able to, take out a policy before your pet turns 8. If you do that, they'll usually cover you past the age of 9 as long as you keep paying your premiums.
Pre-existing conditions won't be covered. If you are able to take out illness cover, note that you won't be able to get cover for any pre-existing conditions. This sometimes means that you won't be covered for all conditions related to those illnesses and injuries. So if your pet shows any signs of a skin condition, all skin conditions will be excluded.
Once your dog or cat is older than 9, you probably won't be able to get a comprehensive pet insurance policy. However, that doesn't mean you can't still get a policy that offers good value. There are a few other important terms to look out for when searching for the best pet insurance policy for seniors. These are:
Benefit limits
This is the maximum amount you can claim for. You get total annual benefit limits (the most you can claim for in total over the course of a year) but you also often get sub-benefit limits. This is the maximum amount you can claim for on specific treatments. For instance, there might be an annual benefit limit of $20,000 but a $1,000 sub-limit for tick paralysis. They can be easy to miss so keep an eye out when you're comparing.
Benefit cover percentage
Sometimes known as the reimbursement rate, this is the percentage of a claim that the pet insurer will pay you. For instance, if you need to make a $1,000 claim for tick paralysis and your insurer has a 80% reimbursement rate, you'll still have to pay $200.
Waiting periods
This is a specified length of time you need to hold your insurance policy for before they'll actually cover you. They only apply to illnesses and usually range from between 2 and 12 months.
Exclusions to look out for with an older dog or cat
Just like any other type of insurance, pet insurance doesn't cover everything. With an older dog or cat, this can really end up costing you a lot of money, so it pays to know what isn't usually covered. Common exclusions include:
Pre-existing conditions that your pet was showing signs of or has been diagnosed with before you got insurance
Organ transplant surgery, artificial limbs or prosthetics
Dental procedures or dental diseases
Treatment for diseases for which there is a known vaccine, including kennel cough and parvovirus
Preventative treatments and vaccinations like flea/tick control, unless you can get routine cover
Behavioural problems, or conditions that were caused by behavioural problems
Grooming, including shampoos, baths, dips or any cosmetic surgeries
Pet food or supplements, even ones recommended by your vet
Yes, you can get pet insurance for older dogs and cats but you'll likely be restricted to a basic policy once they turn 9 that only covers accidents and a limited number of illnesses.
Yes, there are policies available in Australia that can cover your dog regardless of their age. However, it's likely they will only cover your pet for vet bills related to accidents, not illnesses.
Gary Ross Hunter was 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
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Gary Ross has written 659 Finder guides across topics including:
I have a dog who is nearly 15. Each claim that I put in, I am charged an age contribution. Is this with all Pet Insurers? I am with Pet Plan.
Finder
SarahJune 27, 2024Finder
Hi Jill,
Unfortunately, insurance is based on risk and as our dogs age, the risk of them requiring medical treatment increases. Many pet insurers charge higher premiums and/or age contributions as a result. With most pet insurers, this kicks after your pet’s 9th birthday.
Hope this helps.
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I have a dog who is nearly 15. Each claim that I put in, I am charged an age contribution. Is this with all Pet Insurers? I am with Pet Plan.
Hi Jill,
Unfortunately, insurance is based on risk and as our dogs age, the risk of them requiring medical treatment increases. Many pet insurers charge higher premiums and/or age contributions as a result. With most pet insurers, this kicks after your pet’s 9th birthday.
Hope this helps.