Compare Pet Insurance

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. However, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. That’s where Savvy comes in. We’ve done the research to simplify pet insurance policies, helping you compare quotes and find the right policy faster.

What does pet insurance cover?

What exactly your pet insurance covers depends on the type of policy you take out. There are three main types of pet insurance in Australia:

Accident-only insurance

This is the most basic level of insurance, primarily covering injuries resulting from an accident. This could include:

• Car accidents
• Fights with other animals
• Poisoning
• Insect, snake and spider bites
• Burns or electrocutions
• Fractures, cuts and lacerations

In the event your pet has an accident, this insurance covers essential emergency care, diagnostic procedures like X-rays, surgery, prescribed medications and the cost of hospitalisation to treat injuries.

Accident and illness insurance

Going a step further than accident-only plans, this type of pet insurance provides protection against both accidents and a range of illnesses and conditions, such as:

• Cancer
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Eye, skin and ear problems
• Hereditary and congenital conditions

It also includes diagnostic tests, medications, surgeries and hospitalisation for both accidents and illnesses.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive pet insurance offers the most extensive coverage, including all the features of accident and illness insurance, as well as potential optional coverage for:

• Routine care
• Dental issues
• Behavioural therapy
• Alternative therapies

Additional benefits

Some policies may also include other benefits, like:

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

However, each insurance policy is different and will have specific inclusions and exclusions, so it’s important to read the fine print to understand what is on offer for your pet's healthcare needs.

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 a range of factors, including:

• Type of coverage: comprehensive plans that include routine care and dental cover will cost more than accident-only or accident and illness policies.
• Species: dogs are often more expensive to insure than cats, while exotic pets may have limited or specialised cover options.
• Breed: certain breeds may be more prone to genetic health conditions, leading to higher premiums.
• Age: older pets are generally more expensive to insure, as they’re more prone to health issues and require more care.
• Gender: certain conditions or risks may be more prevalent in male or female pets, which can affect your premiums.
• Veterinary history: your pet’s medical history, including pre-existing conditions or past illnesses, can impact coverage options and the policy’s terms.
• Annual limit: this is the maximum amount the insurer will pay out in a year. A higher limit gives you more financial protection but usually means higher premiums.
• Benefit percentage: this is the portion of bill covered by insurance after deducting the excess. A higher benefit percentage (e.g. 90% vs 60%) means you’ll pay less out of pocket per claim, but your premium will be higher.
• Policy excess: this is the fixed amount you pay when making a claim. In many cases, if you pay a higher excess, you can lower your pet insurance premiums, and vice versa.

Can I get cheap pet insurance?

There are several ways to find affordable pet insurance while still ensuring your pet is protected.

• 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.

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.

What animals can you insure in Australia?

You can insure a range of pets in Australia, though coverage is most widely available for cats and dogs – the country’s most popular pets, owned by 48% and 33% of households respectively. You’ll typically have a wide choice of policies and providers for cat and dog cover, with options ranging from accident-only to comprehensive plans.

Explore pet insurance for dogs

If you own a different type of animal, your options may be more limited. Some insurers offer specialised cover for horses, offering protection against injury, illness and loss of use. Insurance is also available for exotic animals like reptiles, amphibians, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and other small mammals. However, as of May 2025, only one insurer in Australia provides exotic pet insurance, restricting your options if you own a less common pet.

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 factors:

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

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 compare pet insurance

If you’ve decided you need health cover for your pet, the next step is finding and applying for a policy that fits your needs. Here’s how it works:

1. Decide what coverage you need

   Treat this step as if you were thinking about comparing your own health insurance policy. Start with your pet’s age, breed and lifestyle. Do they need comprehensive protection with routine care? Or will a basic accident-only policy be enough? Also consider your financial comfort zone – a higher excess can lower your premium, but you’ll pay more when claiming.

2. Compare quotes online

   When you’re ready, use a comparison service like Savvy to quickly view quotes from multiple insurers. You’ll be able to filter by benefit percentage, annual limits, premiums and more. It’s a fast way to spot the best value for your situation without needing to contact each insurer individually.

3. Check the fine print

   Before committing, read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), paying close attention to things like exclusions, waiting periods, sub-limits for specific treatments and claim limits.

4. Apply online in minutes

   Once you’ve picked a policy, it’s time to apply. You’ll typically need to provide information about your pet’s breed, age, gender and basic medical history. If everything checks out, you can complete the process and your coverage begins.

Best pet insurance

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: