As pets age, they’re more likely to need veterinary care, and unexpected treatment costs can become more expensive. At the same time, finding suitable pet insurance for older animals can become more challenging, with some providers limiting the type of cover available for senior pets. However, options may still be available to help support your pet’s ongoing care.
Can you get pet insurance for an older dog or cat?
You may be able to get pet insurance for your older pet, but the options available will depend on whether you're taking out a new policy or renewing an existing one.
Renewing an existing policy
If your pet was insured before reaching the insurer's maximum entry age and you maintain continuous cover, you can generally continue renewing the policy for the rest of your pet's life, sometimes referred to as lifetime cover.
However, even if you have locked in to a policy, premiums, benefit limits and policy terms may change at renewal time.
Taking out a new policy
Many insurers set maximum entry ages for new policies, commonly around eight or nine years old for comprehensive cover, though this varies between providers.
Where cover is available for older pets, it is often limited to accident-only policies, which won't cover the age-related illnesses most likely to affect a senior pet.
Premiums are also typically higher and the percentage of vet bills reimbursed may be lower, meaning you'll pay a larger share of any costs out of pocket.
If you're taking out a new policy for an older pet, it's important to check and confirm the entry age limit and scope of cover before you apply to make sure the cover available is suitable for their age and health needs.
For some breeds prone to health issues due to their physical traits, the maximum age cut-off can be as low as five years old.
What types of cover are available for senior pets?
There are three main types of pet insurance available in Australia, but not all of them are accessible once a pet reaches senior age. Availability often depends on whether cover is being started for the first time or continued from an existing policy.
For older pets being insured for the first time, options are generally more limited, with some insurers restricting new policies to accident-only cover depending on age and health history.
| Cover type | What it covers | New policy for older pets | Existing policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident only | Injuries such as fractures, bites and ingestion of foreign objects | ✔ Select providers only |
✔ |
| Accident and illness | Accidents plus illnesses such as infections, cancer and chronic conditions | ✖ | ✔ |
| Comprehensive | Accidents, illness and may include optional routine care such as dental and vaccinations | ✖ | ✔ |
What’s excluded from pet insurance for older animals?
What exactly your pet is or isn’t covered for will always be outlined in your policy documents, but some exclusions apply across all pet insurance policies, regardless of age:
- Pre-existing conditions: pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions at any age. This includes any illness or injury that was diagnosed or showed signs or symptoms before the policy started, or during the waiting period.
- Elective procedures: non-essential treatments such as desexing and cosmetic procedures are not covered under pet insurance policies.
- Pregnancy and birth: pregnancy, birth and related complications are not covered under pet insurance policies. This applies regardless of the pet’s age.
- Routine care: routine care, such as vaccinations, flea and worm treatments and dental check-ups, is not included as standard under pet insurance, only as an optional extra on some comprehensive policies.
Waiting periods
All new pet insurance policies include waiting periods before cover begins. Any illness or injury that occurs during a waiting period is not covered, meaning you’ll need to cover the costs yourself.How much does senior pet insurance cost?
Pet insurance for senior animals is generally more expensive than cover for younger pets. Age is one of the main factors used to calculate premiums, with costs increasing as pets get older due to a higher likelihood of claims and more complex health conditions.
This means insuring an older cat or dog will typically cost significantly more than the same pet would have at a younger age, whether it’s a continuing policy or a new one.
Here’s how much you might expect to pay for your pet insurance policy as your cat or dog ages:
| Age | Dog | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $38 – $73 | $17 – $64 |
| 1 | $40 – $77 | $19 – $54 |
| 2 | $40 – $81 | $21 – $56 |
| 3 | $40 – $86 | $22 – $57 |
| 4 | $46 – $95 | $26 – $59 |
| 5 | $52 – $110 | $30 – $88 |
| 6 | $58 – $130 | $36 – $97 |
| 7 | $67 – $155 | $38 – $105 |
| 8 | $75 – $181 | $41 – $125 |
| Source: Compare the Market, May 2026 Quotes are for a range of policies for a small dog and a domestic short hair cat, with varying annual limits and benefit percentages, and an excess of $200. |
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Quotes for older pets can be harder to obtain, with fewer providers and plans on offer, and significantly higher prices. Even on ongoing policies, premiums generally increase at each renewal as the pet ages and the risk of claims rises. For new policies at this stage, pet owners can expect costs of $100 or more per month, depending on the insurer and pet being covered.
Several other factors influence how much you'll pay. Dogs generally cost more to insure than cats, and certain breeds attract higher premiums than others. The policy itself plays a role too, with a lower excess, higher benefit percentage or higher annual limit all increasing the premium.
Tips for getting the most from pet insurance as your pet ages
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Maintain your existing cover
If your pet is already insured, maintaining the policy is usually more beneficial than cancelling and trying to open a new one later as you might have more limited cover options.
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Watch for changes at renewal
Even on ongoing policies, insurers may adjust premiums, excess levels or benefit percentages as your pet gets older. Reviewing your policy at renewal helps you understand whether it still suits your pet’s likely needs.
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Think carefully before switching insurers
Switching policies can reset waiting periods and result in existing conditions being excluded under a new policy. Conditions that were covered under your current insurer may be treated as pre-existing elsewhere.
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Prepare for health issues ahead of time
Some breeds are more prone to specific health conditions or tend to age earlier than others. Even if your pet is healthy now, getting cover in place sooner can help reduce the risk of higher costs or limited options later on.
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Balance excess and premiums
Choosing a higher excess can reduce your premium, but it also increases what you pay when you claim. As pets age and claims become more likely, a lower excess may be worth considering despite the higher ongoing cost.
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Use preventative care benefits where available
If your policy includes routine or preventative care, making use of services such as check-ups, vaccinations and dental care can help identify issues early and support better long-term health outcomes.
Is pet insurance worth it for older dogs and cats?
Pet insurance can still be worth it for older pets, but the decision becomes more about balancing cost, risk and peace of mind than it does when pets are younger.
As pets age, they become more likely to develop conditions that are expensive to treat, such as cancer, arthritis, heart disease or complications requiring surgery. These costs can quickly reach thousands of dollars, and insurance can provide a financial buffer by helping cover a large portion of eligible vet bills.
However, the trade-off is that premiums are higher for older pets, and the value of cover depends heavily on what is actually included. If a pet already has health conditions, or develops them soon after taking out a policy, these will not be covered, which can reduce the value you actually get from the plan. Premiums and excesses may also increase at renewal over time, which means owners need to weigh whether the ongoing cost still makes sense against the likelihood of claiming.
In many cases, the decision comes down to risk versus affordability. Insurance can be valuable for owners who want reassurance they can manage unexpected, high-cost treatments without financial pressure.
On the other hand, if you're only able to access accident-only cover and have a lower-risk pet such as an older indoor cat or a less active dog, it may offer limited value as it won't cover more common age-related conditions. In these cases, some owners prefer to set aside funds for vet costs rather than paying ongoing premiums.