Do all vets accept RSPCA Pet Insurance?

Do I need protection for my pet?

When it comes to owning a dog or cat, you always want the best for your furry buddy. But our pets’ lives are often exciting and filled with misadventure — and when the unexpected strikes, our loveable animals can become sick or be involved in an accident at the drop of a hat.

To protect yourself — and your pet pooch or kitty — from the rising cost of vet bills, it’s important for Australian pet owners to get an adequate level of pet insurance coverage. This can give you peace of mind knowing you’ll be financially assisted in the event of an expensive trip to the vet, which is particularly important when you realise the average Australian pet owner spends more than $25,000 over the life of their animal.

How do I claim RSPCA Pet Insurance?

So, what exactly do you need to do when making a claim? After you’ve received — and paid — your vet bills, you can lodge a claim either online or via post. Remember that if you plan to make a claim by post, you’ll need to download the claim form, fill in your details and get the vet to fill out Section 2. Once the form is signed by both you and your vet, attach the original itemised invoices, payment receipts and consultation notes and post them to:

RSPCA Pet Insurance,
Locked Bag 9021
Castle Hill, NSW, 1765

From there, all claims must include itemised tax invoices, payment receipts and any applicable consultation notes from your vet. If it’s your first time submitting a claim, you’ll also need to include a full veterinary history from the attending vet — as well as any other vets who’ve treated your pet.

And do note that your vet is permitted to submit your claim electronically on your behalf if that’s easier for you.

What are vets?

Veterinarians are trained medical experts who have spent years studying and honing their professions in order to provide the best possible service and care to your pet.

Just like doctors for humans, vets can have a range of specialisations. Most are standard GPs who can help your pet overcome a variety of common ailments and injuries, but there are also pet surgeons, dermatologists, behavioural therapists and more.

It is important to understand the definition of ‘vet’. For RSPCA Pet Insurance, ‘vet’ means any veterinarian, veterinary specialist, animal hospital, animal clinic, or animal surgery, other than yourself, who is currently registered in Australia.

If you need a specialist vet, the price of treatment can reach into the thousands (and even more for long-term issues). Because of this, it’s important to choose a pet insurance provider who understands your animal’s needs.

Vets that are covered under RSPCA Pet Insurance

No matter where you are in Australia, you can use vets all over the country to treat your pet — so long as they are currently registered. Then you may lodge a claim with us to be reimbursed for an approved portion of those costs.

So, whether you just need our basic RSPCA General Accident & Illness Cover, or prefer more comprehensive cover such as our RSPCA Ultimate Plus Accident & Illness Cover, we have a policy to match, with four levels to choose from.

Can I only go to RSPCA vets?

At the RSPCA, we’re invested in the continued protection and wellbeing of all animals — big and small. That’s why our vet clinics are up and running all over Australia, whether you’re in country NSW, metro Victoria or anywhere in between.

But when you have RSPCA Pet Insurance, you are free to visit any registered veterinarian or specialist of your choosing. They can then treat your pet for any illnesses or injuries and, depending on your level of coverage, you can make a claim to be reimbursed for a portion of those expenses

How much does a standard vet visit for dogs and cats cost?

On top of all your standard costs that come with owning a pet — such as bedding, collars, leashes, food, flea and worming treatment and de-sexing — vet visits can sometimes be an unwelcome burden, especially if your dog or cat has a serious injury or illness.

While a standard annual vaccination and vet check-up will cost you around $90 for your dog and $80 for your cat, it’s all the other unexpected vet bills that you need to protect yourself against.

With most dogs prone to issues such as hip dysplasia and serious illness when they reach old age, it’s important that you get the proper pet insurance coverage before they experience major problems. This means you can rest easy knowing any future ailments or injuries will be covered under your pet insurance policy.

Does RSPCA pay the vet directly?

After you visit your vet and have your pet treated, you will pay the vet directly and in return receive an invoice, tax receipt and any additional paperwork related to your pet’s condition and treatment plan.

With that paperwork in hand, you will have to either call your pet insurer or get online to download the appropriate claim form. Once you’ve filled that out and attached all the relevant paperwork, you can make a claim. The insurer will review your claim and, if successful, you will be reimbursed for an agreed-upon amount of your vet bills.