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31 December 2025
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Pet Insurance

Explore your pet insurance options to find health cover for your cat, dog and other animals.

We've partnered with Compare The Market to to help you compare pet insurance online.

Sophie Hale View Sophie Hale's profile
Written by Sophie Hale
Created by our team of experts.
Compare Pet Insurance

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Pet insurance helps cover the cost of unexpected vet bills if your pet gets sick or injured. It acts as a financial safety net when your pet needs medical attention – whether it’s emergency surgery, treatment for an illness or ongoing care for a chronic condition – so you’re not left shouldering all the costs.

With a wide range of policies available, you can choose a plan that suits both your pet’s needs and your budget.

How does pet insurance work?

Pet insurance is designed to help with the cost of veterinary care for your pet. It works in a similar way to private health insurance for people – you pay an ongoing premium to an insurer, and in return you’ll be covered for eligible vet bills, up to the limits set out in your policy.

If your pet needs treatment, you’ll usually pay the vet upfront and then submit a claim to your insurer. Depending on your policy, you may receive a percentage of the cost back or be reimbursed up to a set amount for that condition or policy year. How much you get back depends on the level of cover you choose, the benefit limits and the type of treatment your pet receives.

What pets can be insured?

In Australia, pet insurance is primarily available for cats and dogs. Insurance for other types of pets like birds, rabbits and other exotic pets is extremely limited. As of December 2025, only one insurer in Australia offers exotic pet insurance.

Eligibility also depends on your pet's age. When taking out a new policy, most insurers offer cover from around eight weeks old up to around nine years old. If your pet is aged nine or over, your options will be more limited as few providers offer cover for animal this age. Policies for senior pets often come with lower benefit limits or stricter exclusions due to the higher likelihood of age-related health issues. However, you may be able to avoid this by taking out pet insurance while your pet is young and renewing it each year.

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance plans can help with costs related to:

  • Emergency treatments: immediate care following accidents or sudden injuries
  • Surgeries: procedures such as fracture repairs or wound treatment
  • Diagnostic tests: X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs and other investigations
  • Medications: prescribed drugs needed for treatment or recovery
  • Hospitalisation: overnight stays and ongoing care required after injury or illness

However, what exactly you are covered for will depend on the type of pet insurance you choose.

Types of pet insurance

There are three main types of pet insurance available in Australia. Not all insurers offer every type of cover, and policy names and inclusions can differ between providers. However, most policies will broadly fit into one of these categories:

  • Accident-only pet insurance: this is the most basic and budget-friendly insurance option. It covers treatment for accidents and injuries, but not illnesses.
  • Accident and illness pet insurance: this level of cover offers broader protection by covering both accidents and a range of illnesses. Coverage can vary between insurers – some policies cover a wide range of conditions, while others limit cover to a specific list of illnesses.
  • Comprehensive pet insurance: comprehensive insurance provides the most complete level of cover, covering accidents and illnesses as well as offering higher benefit limits and optional extras.

Here’s a closer look at what each type of policy may cover:

Covers… Accident-only Accident and illness Comprehensive
Car accidents ✓ ✓ ✓
Ingesting foreign objects ✓ ✓ ✓
Poisoning ✓ ✓ ✓
Burns or electrocution ✓ ✓ ✓
Broken bones ✓ ✓ ✓
Cuts and lacerations ✓ ✓ ✓
Bite wounds or fight wounds ✓ ✓ ✓
Snake bites ✓ ✓ ✓
Insect or spider bite allergy ✓ ✓ ✓
Eye, nail and mouth injuries ✓ ✓ ✓
Traumatic ligament injuries (accident related) ✓ ✓ ✓
Cancer ✘ ✓ ✓
Gastrointestinal issues ✘ ✓ ✓
Eye, skin and ear conditions ✘ ✓ ✓
Hereditary and congenital conditions ✘ ✓ ✓
Routine care (optional extra) ✘ ✘ ✓
Dental (optional extra) ✘ ✘ ✓
Behavioural conditions (optional extra) ✘ ✘ ✓

Some pet insurance policies may also include additional benefits, such as:

  • Emergency boarding
  • Essential euthanasia
  • Advertising and reward for lost pets
  • Pet travel insurance
  • Vet home visits

What’s the best pet insurance for my pet?

Finding the best pet insurance in Australia means choosing a policy that aligns with your pet’s unique needs and your budget. What’s considered ‘best’ will vary based on factors like your pet’s age, breed, lifestyle, medical history and the level of cover you’re comfortable with.

Here’s a general guide to who the different types of pet insurance would best suit:

Accident-only Accident and illness Comprehensive
Owners seeking basic, budget-friendly cover Owners wanting balanced cover for accidents and a range of illnesses Owners seeking complete peace of mind with broad coverage
Older pets that may not qualify for higher cover Pets with no current conditions but with breed or family risk factors High-maintenance or purebred pets prone to genetic conditions
Young, active pets in good health but at higher risk of accidents Owners wanting to be prepared for both accidents and common health issues Owners wanting optional extras like routine care benefits and dental

How much is pet insurance?

According to Compare the Market, pet insurance premiums in Australia typically range from $25 to $80 per month.

However, the actual cost of insuring your pet can vary widely depending on your lender and a range of other factors. Let’s take a closer look at how these can affect your pet insurance premium, using quotes taken from Compare the Market and its lending partners in December 2025.

Level of cover

Comprehensive plans that include extras like routine care and dental cover usually cost more than accident-only or accident and illness policies because they offer broader protection and higher benefit limits.

For example, for a three-year-old female Border Collie, Budget Direct’s monthly premiums are as follows:

Plan Cost
Essential $29
Comprehensive $32
Plus $42
Source: Compare The Market/Budget Direct
Cost estimates assume a minimum annual limit of $12,000 (Essential)/$15,000 (Comprehensive)/$25,000 (Plus), a minimum benefit percentage of 80% and a $200 excess. All prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.

Annual limit

The annual limit is the maximum amount your insurer will pay towards vet bills in a policy year. Choosing a higher annual limit gives you more financial protection if your pet needs multiple or expensive treatments, but it usually comes with a higher premium because the insurer’s potential payout is greater – and is usually associated with higher-level plans.

Here’s how annual limits can affect premiums, looking at a three-year-old male Labrador with Coles Insurance:

Plan Annual limit Monthly cost
Essential plan $10,000 $57
  $15,000 $59
Ultimate plan $10,000 $108
  $15,000 $114
  $24,000 $120
  $40,000 $129
Source: Compare The Market/Coles Insurance
Cost estimates assume minimum benefit percentage of 80% and a $200 excess. All prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.

Benefit percentage

The benefit percentage is the portion of an eligible vet bill your insurer will pay after your excess has been deducted. For example, if you have an 80% benefit percentage and a $200 excess, you’ll pay the excess first and the insurer will then cover 80% of the remaining amount, up to your annual limit.

Choosing a higher benefit percentage means you’ll pay less out of pocket each time you claim, but your premium will usually be higher. This is because the insurer is covering a larger share of your vet bills and taking on more of the financial risk.

Here’s how the benefit percentage can affect premiums for a six-year-old male Ragdoll cat with Knose:

Benefit percentage Monthly cost
70% $68
80% $92
90% $113
Source: Compare The Market/Knose
Cost estimates assume a minimum annual limit of $12,500 and a $200 excess. All prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.

Policy excess

The policy excess is the fixed amount you pay out of pocket each time you make a claim. For example, if your excess is $200 and your vet bill is $1,000, you’ll pay the first $200 and your insurer will cover the agreed portion of the remaining $800, depending on your benefit percentage and policy limits.

Generally, choosing a higher excess can reduce your pet insurance premiums because you’re accepting more of the initial cost yourself. Conversely, a lower excess means higher premiums, since the insurer covers more of your vet bills from the start.

Here’s how different excess amounts affect premiums for a five-year-old female Burmese cat with Petsy insurance:

Excess Monthly cost
$0 $109
$150 $84
$200 $72
$300 $59
$500 $50
Source: Compare The Market/Petsy
Cost estimates assume a minimum annual limit of $25,000 and an 80% benefit percentage. All prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.

Species

Pet insurance costs vary by species. Generally, dogs are more expensive to insure than cats, while exotic pets often have limited or specialised cover options.

For example, a four-year-old male dog and a four-year-old male cat face very different insurance costs:

Pet Monthly premium range
Dog $50 – $121
Cat $28 – $83
Source: Compare The Market
Cost estimates based on a small dog and a domestic shorthair cat, with a $12,000 annual limit, 80% benefit percentage and $200 excess. All prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.

Breed

Certain breeds are more prone to genetic health conditions, which increases the likelihood of costly vet treatments and claims. Insurers charge higher premiums for these breeds to manage the greater financial risk.

For example, compare the monthly premiums for these two breeds of dog:

Breed Monthly premium range
Maltese Cross $34 – $121
French Bulldog $104 – $330
Source: Compare The Market
Cost estimates assume a minimum annual limit of $12,000, a minimum benefit percentage of 80% and a $200 excess. All prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.

French Bulldogs tend to have higher premiums due to common health issues like breathing problems and spinal conditions, which require frequent veterinary care. Maltese Cross dogs, being mixed breeds, generally face fewer hereditary health problems.

Age

Older pets are generally more expensive to insure because they are more prone to health issues and often require more veterinary care.

As an example, here are estimated monthly premium ranges for a female Tabby cat at different ages:

Age (years) Monthly premium range
1 $20 – $57
3 $24 – $62
5 $33 – $90
7 $41 – $107
Source: Compare The Market
Cost estimates assume a minimum annual limit of $12,000, a minimum benefit percentage of 80% and a $200 excess. All prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.

In this particular scenario, the monthly cost to insure a seven-year-old cat is double that of a one-year-old – demonstrating how age can significantly increase insurance premiums.

Gender

Health risks and behaviours can vary between male and female pets, which can affect insurance premiums.

For example, a four-year-old Maine Coon cat has the following premium ranges:

Gender Monthly premium range
Female $34 – $79
Male $34 – $115
Source: Compare The Market
Cost estimates assume a minimum annual limit of $12,000, a minimum benefit percentage of 80% and a $200 excess. All prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.

While the lowest-priced insurance is the same, the highest monthly cost for males is $26 more – reflecting the fact that male cats are statistically more likely to engage in risky behaviours like fighting and may be more prone to certain health conditions.

What other potential costs do I need to be aware of?

While pet insurance covers many expenses, it doesn’t cover everything. There are other costs you will need to consider when addressing your pet’s healthcare needs. Here are a few to take into account:

  • Upfront costs: even with insurance, you might need to pay the vet directly for your pet's treatment and then later submit a claim to get reimbursed for the covered expenses.
  • Out-of-pocket expenses: most insurance policies have cover limits, including annual limits, benefit percentage limits or sub-limits for certain types of treatment, meaning you would need to cover any costs that exceed these limits.
  • Non-standard care: if your pet requires non-standard treatments or therapies, these may not be covered by your insurance policy.
  • Excluded conditions: conditions your pet already has when you sign up might not be covered, meaning you are responsible for any treatment costs related to the condition.
  • Additional coverage: some policies offer optional extras such as dental illness cover, which provide more comprehensive coverage but at additional cost.

Tips to get cheap pet insurance

  • Look out for discounts and special offers

    Insurance companies often have special offers to attract new customers and give them more value, such as introductory discounts, while others may offer multi-pet discounts for insuring more than one pet under the same policy.

  • Insure your pet early on

    Getting insurance for your pet when they’re young and maintaining it can save you money as your pet gets older and needs more care – and is generally cheaper and easier than taking out a new policy for your senior pet.

  • Increase your excess

    Choosing a higher excess can help lower your monthly or annual premium – though it will mean you need to pay more upfront when making a claim.

  • Only get what you need

    Consider which level of coverage and additional features you actually need. By getting only what’s necessary, you could lower your insurance costs.

  • Shop around

    Don't settle for the first offer you find. Comparing providers helps you identify policies that offer the best value for your needs.

Is pet insurance worth it in Australia?

Pet insurance can help when unexpected vet bills arise – but is it the right choice for you? Before making your decision, weigh up the following:

Your financial situation

Think about your household budget and how prepared you are for unexpected expenses. The cost of owning a cat or a dog can run into thousands of dollars each year once you factor in food, vet visits, grooming, and more – and that’s without any surprise health issues. If you have savings set aside for pet emergencies, you may not need insurance. However, if paying for premiums is affordable for you, pet insurance could be a valuable safety net.

Your pet’s breed

Certain breeds are more prone to specific health conditions. For instance, dachshunds are known for back problems like Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), which can cost thousands to treat. In such cases, it may be worth taking out coverage early to prevent unexpected expenses down the line. If you wait until issues arise, they may be classified as pre-existing conditions and not covered.

Your pet’s age

Even if your pet is healthy now, things can change as they age. Waiting until a health issue arises may mean you can’t get the coverage you need, as the condition could be considered pre-existing and not eligible for insurance. Insuring your pet while they are young and healthy can help avoid this issue.

Risk and reassurance

Insurance can offer peace of mind, knowing you won't have to choose between your finances and your pet's health if something unexpected happens. Consider how much risk you’re comfortable taking on – especially as pets age and health issues become more likely.

Example scenario: How pet insurance helps manage unexpected vet bills

Here’s an example of how pet insurance can help protect your pet – and your wallet:

Bailey is an active 2-year-old beagle. While playing in the park, Bailey has an incident and breaks his leg, requiring urgent veterinary care:

  • Vet consultation fee: $70
  • X-rays and examination: $120
  • Surgery: $2,000
  • Medications: $40

Total vet expenses: $2,230

Bailey’s owner has comprehensive pet insurance with a $20,000 annual limit, benefit percentage limits of 90% and an excess of $100 per claim.

Bailey’s owner files a claim with the insurance company after paying the vet bill. The amount is well within the annual limit and the insurance company covers 90% of the vet expenses. However, he must still pay the remainder not covered by insurance as well as an excess of $100.

  • Vet expenses: $2,230
  • Total amount claimable after 90% benefit percentage applied: $2,007
  • Excess payable: $100
  • Total amount reimbursed to Bailey’s owner: $1,907
  • Out-of-pocket expenses: $323

This breakdown shows how pet insurance can significantly alleviate the financial burden of unexpected vet expenses. While the total cost of treating Bailey’s broken leg was $2,230, the majority of this was covered by insurance and Bailey’s owner only had to pay $323.

How to get pet insurance through Savvy

  1. Start with Savvy

    We’ll connect you with our partner, Compare The Market, to compare policies.

  2. Enter your pet’s details

    Provide details about your cat or dog’s breed, age, gender and basic medical history.

  3. Compare quotes online

    You’ll be shown a range of options to compare, helping you choose a policy that best suits your – and your pet’s – needs.

  4. Purchase your policy

    Once you’ve chosen a policy, you’ll be passed to the provider to complete the process. This usually takes just a few minutes.

Frequently asked questions about pet insurance​

Does pet insurance cover hip dysplasia?

Yes, pet insurance can cover hip dysplasia – a chronic condition that affects the hip joints of certain animals, particularly some breeds of dog – though it depends on the type of policy you have, your pet’s health history and the insurer’s terms. Policies that include accident and illness or comprehensive cover may pay for treatment such as surgery, pain relief and rehabilitation – but only if your pet has not already shown signs of the condition.

Note that if your pet was diagnosed with hip dysplasia or displayed symptoms before you took out the policy or during the waiting period, it will likely be classed as a pre-existing condition and excluded from cover. Most insurers also apply waiting periods (often 6–12 months for joint conditions), which means your pet must remain symptom-free during that time for the condition to be covered later on.

Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

A pre-existing condition refers to any health issue, injury or illness that your pet experienced or was diagnosed with before insurance cover began. In most cases, pet insurance won’t cover pre-existing conditions, though some insurers may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis, particularly for temporary conditions that have been resolved and show no signs of recurrence.

Even if your pet has a pre-existing condition, you can still insure them. Although the specific condition typically won’t be covered, insurance can still be valuable for covering new injuries, illnesses or emergencies that arise after your policy begins.

Is desexing covered by pet insurance?

Desexing isn’t usually covered by standard pet insurance policies. However, some comprehensive pet insurance policies may include desexing as part of an optional routine care add-on.

Even if desexing isn’t covered by your policy, it offers important health benefits for your pet and can reduce the risk of certain diseases and behavioural issues. Because of this, insurers usually ask about desexing when you apply – and having a desexed pet can help lower your premiums.

What isn’t covered by pet insurance?

Pet insurance policies can have a number of exclusions. These may include:

  • Banned breeds
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Deliberate harm and negligence
  • Elective treatments
  • Pregnancy
  • Prosthetics
  • Accessories
  • Commercial use

What exactly your pet is or isn’t covered for will be outlined in your policy documents.

If I have multiple pets, can they go on one policy?

Yes, some insurers allow you to cover multiple pets under a single policy, though others may require separate policies for each pet. Multi-pet cover often works out cheaper and can be easier to manage, such as having one renewal date or one set of documents. However, each pet’s coverage, limits and exclusions will still be assessed individually.

What is covered by routine care?

Routine care is often available as an optional extra on comprehensive pet insurance policies. It can include:

  • Vaccinations
  • Dental check-ups
  • Behavioural therapy
  • Alternative therapy
  • Microchipping
  • Desexing   
  • Flea, tick and worm control
  • Cremation/burial
What can dental care cover on my pet insurance?

Dental care isn’t included as standard on many pet insurance policies, but it may be available for additional cost or as a separate policy. Dental care may cover:

  • Abscesses
  • Gingivitis
  • Tooth removal
  • Dental diseases
  • Tooth fractures

Treatments such as cosmetic procedures, orthodontics and root canals are generally not covered.

Are X-rays covered by pet insurance?

Yes, many policies cover X-rays for diagnostic purposes such as illness or accidents – for example, injuries to bones or swallowed objects. However, if the X-rays relate to a pre-existing condition, they might not be covered. It’s important to check the product disclosure statement (PDS) for details of your exact plan.

My pet has had an accident – can I get insurance?

You can still take out insurance for your pet after it has an accident, but the incident itself won’t be covered. This means you’ll need to pay the full cost of treatment and recovery for that accident yourself.

Insurance will cover future accidents and, depending on your policy, certain illnesses. However, any ongoing issues related to the original accident may be considered pre-existing and might not be covered.