Insurance & protection
If you’re thinking about pet insurance, one of the first questions you’re probably asking is: “How much is it going to cost?”
The short answer is it depends.
Just like car insurance or health insurance, there’s no one-size-fits-all price. The cost of pet insurance depends on things like your pet’s age, breed, where you live, as well as the type of cover you choose.
Here’s what affects the price of pet insurance, the different types of cover that are available, and a few simple ways to help keep your premium affordable.
Table of contents
- How much does pet insurance cost on average?
- What affects the cost of pet insurance?
- Cat insurance versus dog insurance costs
- How to make pet insurance more affordable
- What RSPCA Pet Insurance offers
How much does pet insurance cost on average?
Pet Insurance premiums vary widely, depending on your pet and circumstances. Accident-only policies usually sit at the cheaper end, while accident and illness cover, and comprehensive plans with added extras, tend to cost more. Premiums may also be higher for older pets, certain breeds that present a higher insurance risk, and policies with higher benefit levels.
Because premiums are calculated individually based on your pet’s own risk profile, the best way to find out what you’ll pay is to get a personalised, commitment-free quote.
What affects the cost of pet insurance?
When it comes to determining your pet insurance premium, insurers look at a combination of factors, including:
Your pet’s age
Younger pets are generally cheaper to insure because they’re less likely to develop ongoing or age-related health conditions. As pets get older, premiums often increase to reflect the greater likelihood and potential cost of illness, injury, or ongoing care.
Your pet’s breed
Your pet’s breed can affect the cost of insurance because some breeds may be more prone to genetic or breed-specific health conditions. Breed can also influence expected treatment costs. For example, larger dog breeds may require higher medication doses, more anaesthesia, or more complex surgery, while some breeds may have a higher risk of certain injuries or ongoing health issues.
The cover you choose
The type of cover you choose has one of the biggest impacts on your premium. A policy with broader cover will generally cost more than accident-only cover because it protects against a wider range of unexpected vet expenses.
With RSPCA Pet Insurance, you can also customise your annual cover limit, benefit percentage and excess to help find a premium that suits your pet’s needs and your budget.
Cat insurance versus dog insurance costs
As a general rule, dog insurance costs more than cat insurance for a similar level of cover. This is largely because dogs are more prone to certain accidents and injuries, and their treatment (from medication doses to surgery) is often more expensive due to their size. Cats are typically cheaper to insure, although the breed can still have an impact.
How to make pet insurance more affordable
There are a few simple ways to help keep your premium manageable:
- Insure your pet while they’re young: premiums are generally lower for younger pets, and taking out cover before your pet develops health conditions can help avoid future claims being affected by pre-existing condition exclusions.
- Choose cover that suits your needs: not every pet may need the same level of cover. Think about what’s important to you and choose a policy that fits both your pet’s needs and your budget.
- Adjust your excess or benefit percentage: choosing a higher excess or a lower benefit percentage can reduce your premium, although it also changes how much you’ll need to contribute at claims stage.
- Choose optional extras carefully: optional extras, such as routine care or dental illness cover, can increase your premium. Consider your pet’s needs, your budget, and the types of costs you’d like to have covered when deciding what to include.
What RSPCA Pet Insurance offers
Finding the right pet insurance comes down to understanding what each policy offers and how it fits your circumstances.
RSPCA Pet Insurance offers customisable cover, allowing you to choose the annual limit, benefit percentage, and excess that suits your pet and budget. Every policy also helps support vital RSPCA animal welfare initiatives across Australia, including rescue, rehab, and rehoming efforts.
To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your pet, click here. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.
Disclaimer
As with any insurance, terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.
References
[1] RSPCA Pet Insurance. Product Disclosure Statement. RSPCA Pet Insurance; 2026. Available from: Product Disclosure Statements | RSPCA Pet Insurance Official
FAQs
Premiums vary widely, depending on your pet’s species, breed, age, where you live, and the level of cover you choose. Accident-only policies tend to cost less than accident and illness cover, while adding optional extras can also increase your premium.
Although pet insurance policies are generally annual policies, some insurers, including RSPCA Pet Insurance, offer flexible payment options, such as annual, monthly, or fortnightly payments. Some insurers also offer multi-pet discounts, which may help reduce the cost of insuring more than one pet.
Your premium is mainly influenced by your pet’s species, breed, age, your location, and the level of cover, benefit percentage, and excess you choose. Cats are generally cheaper to insure than dogs, and premiums usually increase as your pet gets older.
Just like people, pets are more likely to need medical care as they get older. Age-related conditions, ongoing illnesses, injuries, and more frequent vet visits can all increase the likelihood and cost of claims. Because of this, a pet’s age can affect the premium when you first get a quote, and premiums may also increase over time as your pet gets older.
If your pet becomes sick or injured unexpectedly, RSPCA Pet Insurance may help cover eligible vet costs, depending on your level of cover, your policy terms, and any applicable exclusion periods or exclusions.
You can also choose from a range of annual cover limits, benefit percentages, and excess options, which can help you find a premium that suits your budget.
As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to make sure this cover suits your needs.
