Dogs are a big part of life for many Australians. According to Animal Medicines Australia, almost half of Australian households have a dog, making them the country’s most popular pet.
However, owning a dog also means being prepared for the unexpected. If your dog is injured or becomes unwell, vet bills can add up quickly.
Dog insurance is designed to help with some of these costs, helping you manage expenses if your dog needs medical care.
What does pet insurance for dogs cover?
In Australia, there are three main types of pet insurance:
Accident-only
Accident-only cover is the most basic type of dog insurance. It can help with eligible vet costs if your dog is injured in an accident, but it doesn’t cover illnesses or other health conditions. This means the level of protection is more limited than other types of dog insurance.
Accident and illness
Accident and illness cover includes eligible treatment for accidental injuries, as well as a range of illnesses. This provides broader protection than accident-only cover, helping with vet costs if your dog becomes unwell or develops a covered health condition.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive dog insurance offers the highest level of cover. It includes treatment for both accidents and illnesses as well as optional extras such as routine care, dental care or behavioural conditions, depending on the insurer.
Here’s a list of common inclusions and exclusions for each tier of cover:
| Treatment for | Accident-only | Accident and illness | Comprehensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injuries from car accidents | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Broken bones | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cuts and lacerations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bite wounds | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Burns | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrocution | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Insect and snake bites | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Poisoning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ingesting a foreign object | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cancer | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skin, eye and ear conditions | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paralysis tick | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gastrointestinal issues | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hereditary and congenital conditions | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Routine care (optional) | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Dental (optional) | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Behavioural conditions (optional) | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Is my dog covered during the waiting period?
A waiting period is the amount of time you need to wait after taking out a policy before you can claim for certain treatments. While accidental injuries may be covered straight away with no waiting periods, you will have to wait to be able to claim for illnesses and treatment for serious conditions, which can be up to six months in some cases. If your dog needs treatment during the waiting period, your insurance won't cover any of the costs.
Common dog insurance cover exclusions
All dog insurance policies include limits and exclusions, so it’s important to check the product disclosure statement (PDS) before you take out cover. Common exclusions can include:
- Pre-existing conditions: these are health issues, signs or symptoms your dog had before the policy started or that developed during the waiting period. Some temporary conditions may be reviewed if your dog has been symptom-free for a set period, but chronic or recurring conditions will be permanently excluded from cover.
- Cosmetic procedures: cosmetic or elective procedures are usually excluded unless they are medically necessary and covered under the policy.
- Pregnancy and breeding: costs related to pregnancy, breeding or complications from breeding are commonly excluded. Some comprehensive policies may cover desexing under optional extras, but this depends on the insurer.
- High-risk activities: injuries linked to activities such as racing, fighting or other high-risk activities will generally not be covered.
How much is dog insurance?
The cost of dog insurance can range from a few hundred dollars a year to thousands, depending on your pet and your plan.
Here’s a look at how annual dog insurance premiums compare across some popular dog breeds:
| Breed | Male annual premium range | Male average annual premium | Female annual premium range | Female average annual premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cavoodle | $338 – $1,103 | $678 | $338 – $1,074 | $671 |
| French Bulldog | $1,133 – $2,355 | $1,645 | $1,133 – $2,291 | $1,629 |
| Golden Retriever | $438 – $1,765 | $963 | $438 – $1,717 | $951 |
| Border Collie | $338 – $1,323 | $776 | $338 – $1,288 | $767 |
| Labrador | $470 – $1,735 | $1,037 | $470 – $1,689 | $1,025 |
| Dachshund | $506 – $1,323 | $888 | $506 – $1,288 | $879 |
| Source: Compare the Market, May 2026. Quotes based on a two-year-old desexed dog living in Sydney. Policies come with a minimum annual benefit of $10,000, minimum benefit percentage of 80% and maximum excess of $200. |
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How much you'll pay to insure your dog depends on a range of factors, including:
- Level of cover: accident-only cover is the cheapest option, while comprehensive plans cost the most because they include a wider range of benefits and often come with higher benefit limits.
- Annual limit: this is the maximum amount your insurer will pay towards eligible vet treatment and care each year, which can range from $5,000 up to $30,000 depending on your plan. A higher annual limit usually means a higher premium.
- Benefit percentage: this is the percentage of the eligible vet bill your insurer will reimburse after any excess is applied, usually between 70% and 90%. A higher benefit percentage means you get more back at claim time, but your premium will usually be higher. A lower benefit percentage can reduce your premium, but you will pay more of the bill yourself.
- Excess: this is the fixed amount you pay when you make a claim. Choosing a higher excess can lower your premium, but it means you will pay more upfront if you need to claim.
- Breed: some breeds are more prone to hereditary or genetic health conditions, which increases the likelihood of costly vet treatments and claims. Premiums are often higher in these cases to account for the increased risk.
- Size: larger dogs are often more expensive to insure because treatment, surgery and medication can cost more. Large and giant breeds are also more prone to certain joint and mobility issues, which are expensive to treat.
- Age: older dogs are more expensive to insure, as they’re more likely to have health issues and need vet care.
- Gender: male dogs can be slightly more expensive to insure due to having a higher statistical risk of certain injuries and health conditions, although many policies are priced the same regardless of gender.
Can you get pet insurance for older dogs?
Yes, many insurance providers offer coverage for senior pets, but the options for an older dog will be more limited. Insurers impose age limits on new policies, often around eight or nine years, but potentially lower for certain breeds.
If your dog is over the insurer’s maximum entry age, you may only be able to take out accident-only cover, or you may not be able to get a new policy at all. Premiums can also be higher for older dogs, and some policies may reimburse a lower percentage of the vet bill, meaning you pay more out of pocket.
However, if you took out a policy when your dog was younger and have kept the cover active, you may be able to continue renewing it as your dog gets older. This can allow your dog to remain on a broader level of cover, such as accident and illness or comprehensive cover. Premiums, benefit limits and policy terms can still change at renewal.
How to buy dog insurance through Savvy
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Start your quote
We’ll connect you with our partner to compare policies for your dog.
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Enter your dog’s details
Provide details about your dog’s breed, age, gender and basic medical history.
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Compare your options
You’ll be shown a range of plans to compare, helping you choose a policy that best suits your dog’s needs and your budget.
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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.
Top tips for finding the best available dog insurance policy
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Consider the coverage
Look at what each policy covers and whether it suits your dog’s breed, age, health and lifestyle. Comprehensive cover offers a wider range of benefits, but you may not need every feature. If you want a lower-cost option, accident-only or accident and illness cover may still give you the level of protection you need.
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Adjust excess and limits
You may be able to lower your premium by choosing a higher excess, lower annual limit or lower benefit percentage. Just keep in mind that a higher excess means you pay more upfront for each eligible claim, while a lower benefit percentage or annual limit means you’ll get less back from the insurer.
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Hunt for discounts
As well as multi-pet discounts, some companies offer special promotions for new customers, including limited-time free coverage or reduced premiums for the first year.
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Insure your dog young
Taking out cover while your dog is still young gives you access to a wider range of policy options, including higher levels of cover. If you keep the policy active, you can continue that cover as your dog ages.
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Compare pet insurance plans
Look at different pet insurance options to identify the most suitable and budget-friendly plan for your dog’s specific requirements. Using a comparison service allows you to quickly and easily compare quotes to help you find a pet insurance deal that meets your needs.
Is dog insurance worth it?
Whether pet insurance is worth it depends on your dog and the level of risk you’re comfortable taking on.
Dog insurance can be a sensible choice if you think you’re likely to use it, or if you’d struggle to cover a large vet bill at short notice. It may be particularly useful if your dog is accident-prone, has a higher-risk lifestyle or belongs to a breed that’s more likely to develop certain health conditions.
It can also offer peace of mind. Instead of needing to cover the full cost of unexpected treatment upfront, you pay regular premiums and may be able to claim back part of the cost if your dog needs eligible vet care.
However, dog insurance won’t cover everything. Pre-existing conditions are excluded, so taking out a policy won’t help with costs related to health issues your dog already has. If your dog is older, you may also be limited to accident-only cover, which means coverage for illnesses and other age-related conditions will be left out.
You should also remember that dog insurance won’t cover the full cost of every vet bill. Policies will have excesses, annual limits, exclusions, waiting periods and benefit percentages, so you’ll still need to pay some costs yourself.