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No Waiting Period Pet Insurance

Discover pet insurance options in Australia with no waiting period and explore coverage possibilities with Savvy today.

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, updated on October 6th, 2023       

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Compare pet insurance

Looking into pet insurance for your beloved furry friend? Whether you have a playful pup or a curious cat, you can compare pet insurance options from a range of providers and find the perfect coverage that suits your pet's unique needs and your budget. 

site-logos Fetch Care Plan

Annual benefits limit

Excess

% Benefits reimbursement rate

Covers illness?

Covers accidental injuries?

$30,000 $100 80%, 90% or 100% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Pet insurance we think you’ll love. 24/7 vet support + dental, physio and behaviour cover added (see PDS) all in one app.

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site-logos Petsy Most Popular 80% Cover $150 Excess

Annual benefits limit

Excess

% Benefits reimbursement rate

Covers illness?

Covers accidental injuries?

$25,000 $150 80% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Protect your furry friend with Petsy's pet insurance policy. Get a free quote.

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site-logos Fetch Premium Plan

Annual benefits limit

Excess

% Benefits reimbursement rate

Covers illness?

Covers accidental injuries?

$30,000 $0 80% or 90% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Pet insurance we think you’ll love. 24/7 vet support + dental, physio and behaviour cover added (see PDS) all in one app.

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site-logos Knose Pet Insurance

Annual benefits limit

Excess

% Benefits reimbursement rate

Covers illness?

Covers accidental injuries?

$7,500, $12,500 or $25,000 $0 / $100 / $200 70%, 80% or 90% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Multi-award winning pet insurance designed with the help of vets.

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site-logos Petsy Value Cover 80% Cover $500 Excess

Annual benefits limit

Excess

% Benefits reimbursement rate

Covers illness?

Covers accidental injuries?

$10,000 $500 80% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Protect your furry friend with Petsy's pet insurance policy. Get a free quote.

More details
site-logos Petsy Top Cover

Annual benefits limit

Excess

% Benefits reimbursement rate

Covers illness?

Covers accidental injuries?

$25,000 $0 / $150 / $500 90% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Protect your furry friend with Petsy's pet insurance policy. Get a free quote.

More details

Disclaimer: Savvy is not advising or recommending any particular product to you. We provide general information on products for the purposes of comparison, but your personal situation or goals are not considered here. Although we try to make our comparisons as thorough as possible, we do not have information on all products on the market on our site.

Savvy earns a commission each time a customer buys a pet insurance policy through our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via the individual pet insurance companies.

You should always consult a given offer's PDS or further documentation in the process of deciding on which loan to choose, as well as seeking independent, professional advice. If you decide to apply with one of the lenders listed above via our website, you will not be dealing with Savvy; any applications or enquiries will be conducted directly with the lender offering that product.

As a pet owner, you’ll want the best for your animal companion, including access to healthcare when you need it. Pet insurance plays a vital role in covering unexpected medical expenses, but what if your pet needs immediate coverage?

Depending on the situation, you may be able to access pet insurance with no waiting period in Australia. Find out what types of cover you can get and explore your options with Savvy’s 100% free comparison tool, allowing you to compare quotes from trusted insurers in moments. Get started today.

What is a waiting period in pet insurance?

A waiting period in pet insurance refers to the duration between purchasing a policy and when the coverage takes effect. During this time, certain conditions and treatments may not be covered. There are two main reasons for this:

  • To prevent coverage for pre-existing conditions: one of the primary purposes of waiting periods is to ensure that pet owners don’t obtain coverage when their pets are already sick or injured. This helps to safeguard the insurance provider and other policyholders from potential financial losses associated with pre-existing conditions. By implementing waiting periods, insurers can carefully examine the health of the covered animal and exclude coverage for conditions that were present before the insurance policy’s commencement date.
  • To deter fraudulent behaviour: waiting periods are designed to discourage individuals from acquiring insurance coverage solely for planned treatments, claiming the benefits and promptly cancelling the policy. Such behaviour would undermine the insurance system’s integrity and reliability and leave insurers to bear the brunt of the costs. By enforcing waiting periods, insurers can uphold ethical practices and promote fair coverage distribution across all policyholders.  

Can I find pet insurance with no waiting period?

You may be able to get pet insurance with no waiting period, but these will generally be for accident-only cover. For illnesses and other issues, cover won’t be instant under your pet insurance policy and you’ll generally have to wait for a set period as outlined in your product disclosure statement (PDS). The following gives a general overview of the types of waiting periods you could expect for certain conditions:

Cover for Examples General waiting period
Accidents: physical harm or injury resulting from an accidental incident
  • Car accident
  • Burn
  • Electrocution
  • Insect or snake bite
  • Bite wound
  • Bone fracture
  • Ligament or tendon injury

0 – 21 days

Illness: sickness, disease or infection, as diagnosed by a veterinarian
  • Cancer
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Skin, eye and ear conditions
  • Ingestion of a foreign object
  • Tick paralysis

21 – 30 days

Routine care: preventative healthcare treatments, usually available as an optional extra
  • Desexing
  • Microchipping
  • Heartworm control/prevention
  • Flea/tick/worm control
  • Blood and urine tests
  • Vaccinations
  • Health checks
  • Training
  • Teeth cleaning

0 days

Alternative treatments: non-conventional or complementary therapies used to address various health conditions in pets
  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractic manipulation
  • Physiotherapy
  • Hydrotherapy

30 days

Serious conditions: severe health issues that require significant medical attention and treatment
  • Cruciate ligament
  • Intervertebral disc disease

6 months

Dental illness: medical conditions and issues that affect a pet’s oral health
  • Gingivitis
  • Abscesses
  • Tooth removal

6 months – 2 years

What if my pet becomes ill during the waiting period?

If your cat or dog gets sick with an illness or condition outlined in your pet insurance plan before the end of the specified waiting period, you can seek treatment but won’t be covered under your insurance policy. This means that you will be responsible for paying all costs associated with the treatment for that issue and won’t be able to claim any reimbursement from your insurance provider. Depending on your insurer and the circumstances, there’s also a chance that the condition will subsequently be deemed a pre-existing condition, which may mean it’s excluded from your policy.

Can waiting periods be waived for certain conditions?

Yes – waiting periods can be waived for certain conditions under specific circumstances. For example, some pet insurance providers offer the option to waive waiting periods for cruciate ligament conditions, a common condition in dogs, which typically have a standard waiting period of six months. To qualify for the waiver, you must have your pet examined by a veterinarian, and upon certification that your pet has no history of or latent cruciate ligament conditions, you can submit a waiver form to the insurer.    

However, it's essential to note that not all conditions may be eligible for a waiver. Each insurer has its own policies and criteria for waiving waiting periods, and the decision ultimately rests with the insurer. Additionally, the waiting period waiver is usually offered for specific conditions that are considered less prone to being pre-existing conditions or resulting in fraudulent claims.

Types of pet insurance you can choose from

Why compare pet insurance with Savvy?

Frequently asked questions about no waiting period pet insurance

Do I need to complete the waiting period again if I switch pet insurance?

When switching pet insurance policies, you may need to re-serve waiting periods depending on the new policy and the insurance provider. Before switching providers, it’s worthwhile reviewing the policy details carefully and checking with the new insurer to see if waiting periods can be waived or reduced, helping you find the best pet insurance policy for your needs.

Will pre-existing conditions be covered after the waiting period?

Pre-existing conditions in pet insurance refer to any health condition your pet showed signs of before the policy’s commencement date or during waiting periods, making them ineligible for coverage. However, some conditions may be assessed differently based on whether they are considered chronic or temporary. Temporary conditions that resolve with treatment may become eligible for coverage if no signs appear after a set period, often around 18 months. However, it’s important to check the policy details for the insurer’s specific requirements for pre-existing conditions. 

Do waiting periods differ for senior pets compared to younger ones in pet insurance policies?

No – while older dogs and cats may face restrictions on the type of cover available, pet insurance waiting periods for access to treatment are the same whatever the age of your pet. The specific waiting periods will be outlined in your policy’s PDS.

Is there a waiting period for allergies?

Coverage for your pet's allergy will depend on the type of allergy it has. For example, allergic reactions to insect and spider bites are generally covered as accidental events, and there may not be a waiting period. However, other allergies may be classed as illnesses and subject to longer waiting periods.

If your pet has known allergies, such as seasonal allergies to environmental factors such as pollen, this will likely be classed as a chronic pre-existing condition and could be excluded from cover.

How else can I compare pet insurance policies?

Waiting periods are just one aspect to consider when choosing a pet insurance policies. Other factors to compare include:

  • Coverage options
  • Premiums
  • Annual limits and benefit percentage
  • Excess payments
  • Exclusions

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