Types of pet insurance, explained one at a time
Most pet insurance in Australia falls into three types: accident only pet insurance, illness cover and comprehensive cover. Here is what each one generally includes, and what to check in the policy document before you compare.
The three main types of pet insurance, side by side in tabs
Pick a type of cover to see what it generally includes and what to check in the policy document. Every insurer words things differently, so treat these as questions to take to the Product Disclosure Statement.
Accident cover
What it generally includes: accident only pet insurance is built for injuries from sudden events, such as a car accident, a fall, a bite, a cut or swallowing something it should not. It generally does not pay for illness. What to check: how the policy defines an accident, whether conditions that start after an injury are covered, the waiting period for accidents, the yearly benefit limit, any limits per condition, the benefit percentage and the excess.
Illness cover
What it generally includes: illness cover is built for conditions your pet develops, such as infections, skin problems or ongoing conditions. It is often sold together with accident cover, so check whether the policy you are reading covers accidents too. What to check: the waiting period for illness, which may differ from accidents, any named conditions with their own waiting periods or limits, how pre-existing conditions are defined, and whether ongoing conditions are covered in later years.
Comprehensive cover
What it generally includes: comprehensive cover usually combines accidents and illnesses, often with higher benefit limits. Some policies offer routine care, such as vaccinations or dental checks, as an included benefit or a paid extra. What to check: whether routine care is part of the cover or an add-on, sub-limits for items like dental or specialist treatment, age limits for starting cover, exclusions, the benefit percentage and the excess. Comprehensive is a name, not a guarantee that everything is covered.
Please read this before the rest of the page
This page is general information only. It is not financial advice and it does not consider your situation, your pet or your budget.
Read the insurer's Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before you decide. Those documents are what your cover actually depends on.
We may earn commission if you buy through our links, and we do not cover every insurer. For independent information, Moneysmart is a good place to start.
Commission never decides what we include or what we say about it.
Know the type of cover. Then read the policy.
Start with our plain guide to how pet insurance works, or email us if something on this page is unclear or looks wrong.