When should you get pet insurance?

This article provides general information only and doesn’t take into account your individual circumstances. Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Please read the relevant PDS. Accurate as at 18 September 2026.

There’s no universal birthday, adoption anniversary, or magical Tuesday when every dog or cat suddenly needs pet insurance. But when you first take out cover can matter.

Your pet’s age, health history, and the exclusion periods attached to a new policy can all affect what insurance is available and what may be covered later. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) states that pet insurance is generally most effective when pets are insured while young and cover is maintained throughout their life, while also noting that age and pre-existing conditions can affect insurance options.

So, rather than asking ‘What age should my pet be insured?’, a more useful question is: ‘At what point should I start looking at my options?’

Here’s what to consider when deciding when to take out pet insurance.

Table of contents

• When to consider pet insurance: the short answer
• Pet insurance at different life stages
• Pre-existing conditions and waiting periods
• 5 questions to ask before taking out cover
• Is now the time to consider RSPCA Pet Insurance?

When to consider pet insurance: the short answer

If insurance is something you’re considering, it can be useful to investigate it before your pet develops health problems and before you expect to need to claim.

That doesn’t mean every puppy or kitten should automatically be insured. It means insurance is designed primarily for new, unexpected events, not something you arrange after a health issue has already appeared.

Most pet insurers won’t cover pre-existing medical conditions in the same way as new conditions, and new policies can also have periods when certain conditions aren’t yet covered. The right time to investigate insurance can therefore look different at each life stage.

Pet insurance at different life stages

When to consider pet insurance can look a little different depending on your pet’s age. From those first puppy or kitten adventures to their senior years, each life stage comes with different things to think about.

Here’s what to consider along the way.

New puppies or kittens

RSPCA Pet Insurance’s PetFlex cover allows new cats and dogs to join from six weeks of age, provided they meet the other eligibility requirements, and new policies are available for eligible pets under nine years of age. Considering cover while your pet is young and healthy can be worthwhile, as they may have fewer pre-existing conditions to consider. If an illness, injury or symptom develops before cover begins, it may be considered pre-existing and may not be covered under the policy.

Newly adopted adult pets

If you’ve adopted an adult pet, start by gathering as much of their health history as you can. Pre-existing conditions may include illnesses, injuries, or symptoms that existed before cover began, including where symptoms had appeared, a vet had assessed the problem, or the pet parent already knew about it before taking out the policy. If you don’t have complete records, don’t guess. Tell the insurer what information you do have and ask how its pre-existing-condition rules work.

Pre-existing conditions can affect what may be covered, so look for information about:

• Your pet’s age
• What veterinary records are available
• Whether your pet has had previous injuries or illnesses, or needs chronic medication
• Whether any symptoms are currently being investigated
• Whether the insurer has entry-age requirements

Senior pets

A greying muzzle doesn’t necessarily mean pet insurance is off the table. But as pets get older, their age can affect the cover available to them.

Insurers may have age requirements for taking out a new policy, and premiums can also vary depending on a pet’s age. That makes it worth exploring the options before simply assuming the same cover will be available later.

With RSPCA Pet Insurance’s customisable PetFlex cover, eligible pets can join from six weeks of age and before they turn nine. Once an eligible pet is covered, there’s no maximum renewal age as long as cover remains uninterrupted.

So, if your four-legged family member is getting closer to an insurer’s entry-age limit, it may be worth exploring the options sooner rather than later.

Pre-existing conditions and waiting periods

This is where timing becomes particularly important. Pre-existing conditions and waiting periods can both affect what your pet may be covered for and when.

Taking out insurance after your pet develops symptoms doesn’t mean treatment for those symptoms will automatically be covered. ASIC notes that most pet insurers won’t cover pre-existing medical conditions and recommends telling the insurer about your pet’s existing health conditions when applying. RSPCA Pet Insurance similarly states that pre-existing symptoms or conditions generally aren’t covered, although policyholders can request a review and some temporary conditions may potentially be reconsidered following assessment.

New policies can also have waiting periods: periods immediately after cover starts when particular conditions aren’t yet covered. This means the idea of ‘my pet looks like they might need treatment soon, so I’ll get insurance today’ can run into two problems at once: the condition may already be pre-existing, and an exclusion period may still apply. Insurance generally isn’t something to switch on after the event you want covered has already begun.

5 questions to ask before taking out cover

1. Is my pet eligible to join?

Check minimum and maximum entry ages as well as any other eligibility requirements.

2. Have they already had symptoms or treatment that could affect cover?

Be accurate about your pet’s medical history.

3. What exclusion periods apply?

Find out which conditions aren’t covered immediately.

4. Could I comfortably maintain the premium?

Starting insurance makes more sense if the ongoing cost is sustainable.

5. Have I read the insurer’s PDS?

Insurance timing matters, but so does understanding what you’re actually buying.

Is now the time to consider RSPCA Pet Insurance?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to when you should get pet insurance. But exploring your options sooner can help you understand what cover is available for your pet before an unexpected illness or injury comes along.

With RSPCA Pet Insurance, eligible cats and dogs qualify for a PetFlex policy from six weeks of age and before they turn nine. You can customise your pet’s cover with a choice of benefit percentage, annual limit, and excess options, helping you find an option that suits your pet and budget.

Every policy also contributes to the RSPCA’s vital work, including rescue, rehab, and rehoming efforts. So while you’re helping to protect your own pet, you’re also making a difference for animals in need across Australia.

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 the cover suits your needs.

 

References 

[1] Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Pet insurance. Available from: https://moneysmart.gov.au/add-on-insurance/pet-insurance