Pet insurance in Australia, explained in plain words
What a policy is, the main kinds of cover, what is generally covered and not, and the two documents to read before you decide. General information for dog and cat owners, with no insurer named and no advice to buy.
Seven words that change what a policy pays
These terms appear in almost every policy document. Knowing them makes the PDS far quicker to read.
Premium
What you pay to keep the policy running. The insurer's quote and PDS explain what affects it.
Excess
The amount you pay towards a claim before the insurer pays. Some policies apply it per condition, others per year, and the PDS says which.
Benefit percentage
The share of an eligible vet bill the insurer pays after any excess. The rest of the bill is yours.
Annual limit
The most the policy pays in a policy year. Some policies also set smaller limits for certain conditions or treatments.
Waiting period
A set time after cover starts before you can claim for some events. Waiting periods can differ for accidents and illnesses.
Pre-existing condition
A sign or symptom your pet showed before cover started or during a waiting period. Each policy defines it in its own words.
How pet insurance in Australia works
Four things to understand before you compare any policy: what it is, the kinds of cover, what is usually in and out, and the documents that hold the detail.
Pet insurance is a policy that pays a share of some vet bills for your dog or cat. You pay a premium to keep the policy running. If your pet needs treatment the policy covers, you make a claim and the insurer pays its share under the terms in its documents.
In many cases you pay the vet first and then claim. The insurer takes off any excess, pays its benefit percentage of the eligible amount, and stops paying once a policy limit is reached.
The main kinds of cover are accident only, accident and illness, and comprehensive. Accident cover is about injuries, such as a cut paw or a broken leg. Illness and comprehensive cover add illnesses, and some comprehensive policies offer routine care as an option.
What is generally covered depends on the kind of cover and the policy. Common exclusions include pre-existing conditions, anything that starts during a waiting period, and routine or preventive care unless you add it. Every policy has its own list, so read the exclusions section in full.
Two documents matter most. The Product Disclosure Statement, or PDS, sets out what is covered, what is not, the limits and how claims work. The Target Market Determination, or TMD, says who the insurer designed the product for.
Read both before you decide, and keep a copy once cover starts. If a term in either document is unclear, ask the insurer to explain it in writing.
Where to next
Compare Cover
How to compare pet insurance: the points to check in each policy document, set out side by side. General information only, no rankings.
Cover Types
Types of pet insurance explained: accident, illness and comprehensive cover, what each generally includes and what to check in the policy.
Fine Print
Pet insurance waiting periods, exclusions and pre-existing conditions explained, with questions to answer from the insurer's documents.
Claims
How pet insurance claims work, from vet visit to payment, plus excess, benefit percentage and limits in plain words. General information only.
Buying Guides
Pet product buying guides for Australian dog and cat owners: food, health, gear and life stages. Pick the guide that fits your pet.
Pet Food
Dog food guide Australia, with cat food too: life stage, size, complete and balanced labels and switching food safely. Know what to check.
Spotted something unclear on this page? Tell us.
We correct mistakes when we find them. We cannot give financial advice or tell you which policy to buy, but we can fix wording that does not make sense.