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Most pet insurance policies will not cover your pet’s pre-existing medical conditions, particularly pre-existing chronic conditions. That’s why pet parents should insure their pet as early as possible before they develop health issues that will be treated as pre-existing conditions and excluded from cover.

A pre-existing condition is an illness or ailment your pet had before the commencement of your first policy period or during your applicable waiting period. Health conditions developed after that should be covered as specified in your PDS.

New pet insurance policies are available for pets before they turn nine. Age limits apply if you switch cover or buy a new policy unless your pet is already insured and you keep paying your premiums. This means most insurers can cover your pet for life, provided there’s no break in cover. Senior pets may be eligible for basic accidental-only cover.

Yes, with most insurers you can choose your treating vet if you hold a pet insurance policy – provided they’re registered in Australia. It’s important to note that clinics can set different vet fees for surgeries and procedures, so you may be able to save even more money by choosing your vet wisely.

The best pet insurance in Australia depends on your pet’s needs and your financial priorities. Pet insurance policies typically offer accident-only or accident and illness options, with some also offering routine care add-ons. When evaluating options, it’s essential to consider policy perks, limits, waiting periods and exclusions, as these can vary significantly. Look for policies that offer high annual benefit limits, flexible reimbursement rates and customisable excess options to ensure they align with your budget and your pet’s health requirements.

Remember your pet’s specific circumstances, such as breed, age and any pre-existing conditions, as these can impact both premiums and eligibility for coverage. Some owners also weigh alternatives, such as setting up a dedicated savings fund for vet expenses, especially if their pet is generally healthy. Balancing a comprehensive cover, affordability and peace of mind in managing unexpected veterinary costs is the best choice.

Most pet insurance policies have a benefit percentage – the portion of the vet bill your insurer will pay – typically ranging between 70% and 90%, although it could be more or less depending on the policy and insurer. In most cases, you’ll need to pay vet costs upfront and then claim back your percentage with your insurer. A policy excess will also be deducted from any claim settlement.

Most pet insurance products also have annual benefit limits (the maximum your insurer will reimburse you for claims each year) and sub-limits on certain conditions. For example, your policy may have an annual benefit limit of $30,000 but a $500 sub-limit for tick paralysis treatment. Comprehensive pet insurance offers higher benefit limits and extra features like a routine care cover option, making it more expensive. Choosing a lower annual limit can save on pet insurance costs.

Your pet can benefit from pet insurance lifetime cover if you renew the pet policy annually, without interruptions, throughout your pet’s life (depending on your insurer). Lifetime pet insurance cover typically includes benefits for chronic and recurring conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, hip dysplasia or allergies, provided the policy commenced prior to the condition surfacing.

Unlike time-limited or per-condition plans, lifetime cover resets its financial limits annually, ensuring consistent support for long-term medical expenses. While it tends to be more expensive, lifetime cover offers peace of mind for your furry family members.

You’ll need to contribute an excess each time you claim on your pet insurance policy. Some insurance providers will apply the policy excess before the benefit percentage is applied, while others will apply the excess after. Read your policy terms and conditions for more information.

Common pet insurance exclusions include things like diseases with a known vaccine, routine care like vaccinations and worming (unless added as an optional cover), dental treatment, pregnancy and obstetrics, and artificial limbs. Insurers will typically exclude conditions and procedures deemed too risky to cover.

Most pet insurance policies have a 30-day waiting period for illnesses and some injuries. Cruciate ligament conditions for both dogs and cats typically have waiting periods of up to six months. Some accidental injuries have no waiting periods. Always read the PDS to ensure you understand the cover’s eligibility criteria.