Get your beloved dog the right cover, You pay $0 to compare on our website.
Easily compare prices, features and benefits side-by-side in seconds.
There's no obligation to buy, but if you do, we'll handle the paperwork.
Dog insurance covers some of your canine buddy’s critical healthcare costs. It can reimburse some or most of the cost of serious conditions depending on your level of cover, such as a broken hip and diseases like cancer. Typically, there are no waiting periods for accidents and minimal waiting periods for illnesses (typically 30 days).
Annual benefit limits, the percentage of eligible vet bills you’ll be reimbursed for, excess or co-payments and optional extras will differ from policy to policy so remember to always check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to find out exactly how you’re covered.
Depending on your level on cover, dog insurance can cover you for a range of eligible vet costs, along with treatment for injuries and illnesses. You may also choose optional routine care for services like de-sexing, micro-chipping, tick control and obedience training.
An accident-only policy is the most basic level of cover. If your dog gets into a scuffle or they’re hit by a vehicle, this policy will help cover a chunk of the vet bill.
A mid-range level of cover that includes accidents and illness diagnosed by a vet (e.g. cancer). The amount you can receive back from vet visits ranges from 60% to 80%, and you can claim up to a maximum of $15,000 a year. However, this type of cover is only available for dogs aged eight weeks to nine years old. Adding routine care can also be available on some of these policies.
The highest level of pet insurance you can take out, a comprehensive policy covers illnesses, accidents and provides routine care as an optional benefit for an additional premium. The benefit rate can be up to 85%, and you can claim up to a maximum of $20,000 per year. Please note: you’ll need to insure your dog after it’s eight weeks old and before it turns nine years old.
Generally, cover can only be taken out after you dog turns eight weeks old and before it turns nine years old. Once insured, cover can be for life – if you maintain cover.
This will vary depending on the level of cover you purchase and your insurer. You can choose between different levels of cover, including;
What’s more, the cost of your pet insurance policy may differ depending on your dog’s health, age, breed, where you live and more. Learn more about the cost of owning a dog.
Are you prepared to pay thousands of dollars for emergency pet care? Could you do it at any time, without warning?
Accident and Illness cover may prevent a healthcare condition from becoming unaffordable to treat, and comprehensive cover can provide additional value as your pet ages.
Just remember: a pet insurance policy is unlikely to cover all your pet care expenses. Check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) so you know how much your insurance policy covers, and if you are required to pay an excess or co-payment.
Typically, dog insurance excludes the following:
Read your pet insurance provider’s PDS for more information on what’s included and excluded from your policy.
You can cover your pet with an accident and illness or comprehensive cover, your dog will typically need to be insured from an early age because accident and illness cover may not be available if your dog is over nine years of age.
While all dogs can be covered in some capacity, certain breeds may be more expensive to insure than others due to having a higher likelihood of certain health issues.
Yes, dog insurance can cover the cost of vaccinations, although it’s typically a feature available on comprehensive policies.
As General Manager of GI, Pet and Business Insurance, Stephen Zeller knows that man’s best friend can get into all sorts of mischief. Stephen works to empower consumers with an understanding of how pet insurance works and how it can help pay for expensive dog vet bills.
Stephen has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, and is an Allied Member of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) and helps review general insurance content on Compare the Market to ensure it accurately breaks down complex insurance topics.
If your dog gets injured or becomes ill, don’t be left stranded to carry the full costs!
Use our free comparison tool to find an insurance policy that works for you and your pet. Once you submit your preferences, it’ll generate quotes in a convenient side-by-side view.
And if you find a policy you like, we’ll even help you with the messy paperwork – at no extra cost. Simples!
