Insurance & protection
Choosing pet insurance isn’t always straightforward. With so many providers and cover options out there, it’s easy to feel unsure about what you’re actually paying for.
When you’re comparing pet insurance in Australia, the cheapest premium isn’t always the best value. What really matters is understanding what’s covered, what isn’t, and how much you’ll need to contribute if your pet needs treatment.
Every pet is different, too. Their age, breed, lifestyle, health history, and your budget can all influence which policy may be the best fit.
This guide explains the key things to compare before choosing pet insurance, so you can make a more informed decision for you and your pet.
Table of contents
- Start with your pet’s needs
- The main types of pet insurance in Australia
- Understanding what is and isn’t covered
- Excesses, benefit percentages, and waiting periods explained
- Claims and policy terms
- How RSPCA Pet Insurance compares
Start with your pet’s needs
Before comparing policies, it’s important to consider your pet’s individual needs. The right level of cover can look very different depending on their age, breed, lifestyle and medical history.
Age is one of the biggest factors. While accidents and illnesses can affect pets of any age, puppies and kittens are naturally curious, which can make them more prone to accidents and minor illnesses while growing. As pets get older, they’re generally more likely to develop chronic or age-related health conditions that may require ongoing vet care.
Breed can also play a part. For example, some larger dogs may be more susceptible to hip dysplasia, while brachycephalic (flat-faced) pets can be prone to breathing issues. Understanding your pet’s individual health risks can help you compare policies more confidently and check whether cover is available for those conditions.
The main types of pet insurance in Australia
When you’re comparing pet insurance, one of the first things to look at is the type of cover each insurer offers. While policies vary, most pet insurance in Australia falls into one of these broad categories:
Accident-only cover
Helps pay for eligible vet treatment if your pet is injured in an accident, such as a fall or road accident. It’s generally the most affordable option, but it doesn’t cover illnesses.
Accident and illness cover
Provides cover for eligible accidents as well as a wide range of illnesses, infections, and diseases. Because it offers broader protection, premiums are usually higher than for accident-only policies.
Comprehensive cover
Typically includes accident and illness cover, with additional benefits that may include routine or preventative care, depending on the insurer and policy.
Understanding what is and isn’t covered
Reading the PDS might not be the most exciting part of comparing pet insurance, but it’s one of the most important. It explains exactly what’s covered, what’s excluded, and any limits that apply to claims.
One of the first things to check is how the policy treats pre-existing conditions (illnesses, injuries, or signs of illness that first appeared before your policy started), as these are almost always excluded from cover. Other exclusions and limitations may also apply depending on the insurer and policy, so it’s important to read the PDS carefully.
You’ll also want to compare each policy’s annual limit (the maximum amount your insurer will pay for eligible claims during a policy year). Some policies also have sub-limits, which place separate limits on claims for specific conditions or treatments, even if you haven’t reached your annual limit.
Taking the time to compare these features can help you choose a policy that better suits your pet’s needs and give you a clearer understanding of how your cover may respond if the unexpected happens.
Excesses, benefit percentages, and waiting periods explained
Beyond price, you’ll also want to look at the following when comparing policies:
Excess
An excess is the amount you contribute towards an eligible claim before your insurer pays the remaining benefit. Depending on the insurer, an excess may apply to each claim or once per condition each policy year.
If you’re able to choose your excess, opting for a higher excess can help to reduce your premium, while a lower excess could mean paying less out of pocket when you need to claim. Finding the right balance will depend on your budget and the level of financial support you’d like if the unexpected happens.
Benefit percentage
Another feature to compare is the benefit percentage. This is the percentage of an eligible vet bill your insurer will pay after any applicable excess has been deducted. Many insurers let you choose a benefit percentage, with options commonly ranging from 60% to 90%. In general, a higher benefit percentage means a higher premium, so it’s worth considering what best suits your budget and the level of cover you’re looking for.
Waiting periods
Pet insurance waiting periods are standard across the industry. A waiting period is the time between your policy starting and when you can claim for certain eligible conditions. The length of these waiting periods varies depending on the insurer and the type of condition, so be sure to check the PDS to understand when cover begins for different conditions.
Claims and policy terms
When your pet is unwell or injured, the last thing you want to do is navigate a complex claims process. That’s why it’s vital to understand how an insurer’s claims process works before you take out a policy.
When comparing providers, look for an insurer that offers a straightforward claims experience, such as online claiming, and clearly explains how claims are assessed and processed. It’s also a good idea to read through the policy terms before committing to cover.
For example, you may want to check:
- Whether there’s a minimum policy term
- How you can make changes to your cover in the future
- What happens if you decide the policy isn’t right for you and your pet
Taking a few minutes to compare these details now can help you choose a policy that suits your needs and avoid any surprises later on.
How RSPCA Pet Insurance compares
Every pet is unique. That’s why, at RSPCA Pet Insurance, we believe their cover should be too.
Instead of offering several fixed plans, RSPCA Pet Insurance offers one customisable plan you can tailor to your pet and budget. Simply choose the annual cover limit (up to $35,000), benefit percentage (60%, 70%, 80% or 90%), and excess ($0, $100, $250 or $500) that best suit your circumstances. And, if you need a little extra cover for your pup or whiskered friend, you can also choose to add cover for routine care, dental illness, supportive therapies, or behavioural conditions.
Every RSPCA Pet Insurance policy contributes to vital RSPCA animal welfare initiatives, including rescue, rehab, and rehoming efforts. So while you’re protecting your own pet, you’re also making a difference for others in need across Australia. It’s protection with purpose!
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] ASIC MoneySmart. Pet insurance. Available from: https://moneysmart.gov.au/add-on-insurance/pet-insurance
[2] RSPCA Pet Insurance. What is pet insurance and how does it work in Australia? Available from: https://rspcapetinsurance.org.au/pet-talk/what-is-pet-insurance/
[3] RSPCA Pet Insurance. Policy details FAQs. Available from: https://rspcapetinsurance.org.au/faqs/policy-details/
[4] RSPCA Pet Insurance. Why RSPCA Pet Insurance Australia. Available from: https://rspcapetinsurance.org.au/why-rspca
[5] RSPCA Pet Insurance. Pet insurance with purpose. Available from: https://rspcapetinsurance.org.au/pet-insurance-with-purpose/
[6] RSPCA Pet Insurance. Dog insurance. Available from: https://rspcapetinsurance.org.au/dog-insurance/
[7] RSPCA Australia. What do I need to know about brachycephalic dogs? Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-brachycephalic-dogs/
FAQs
Most pet insurance providers in Australia offer one or more of the following: accident-only cover, accident and illness cover, or comprehensive cover. Some insurers may also offer optional extras for things like routine care or dental illness.
While exclusions vary between insurers, pre-existing conditions are generally not covered. This includes illnesses, injuries, or signs of illness that first appeared before your policy started, or during an applicable waiting period. Some policies may also exclude certain hereditary, breed-related, or behavioural conditions, so it’s important to read the insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully before choosing a policy.
A waiting period is the time between the start of your policy and when you can claim for certain conditions. Waiting periods are standard across the pet insurance industry, but the length of each waiting period varies depending on the insurer and the type of condition. Always check the PDS so you understand when your cover begins.
RSPCA Pet Insurance offers one customisable plan that covers eligible injuries and illnesses and allows you to choose the annual cover limit, benefit percentage, and excess that best suit your pet and budget.
Every policy also helps support vital RSPCA animal welfare initiatives across Australia, including rescue, rehab, and rehoming efforts. So while you’re protecting your own pet, you’re also helping to care for animals in need nationwide.
To learn more, visit the RSPCA Pet Insurance website or get a commitment-free quote online today.
As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.
