Pet insurance exclusions

Average customer rating: 4.3/5
Written by Chloe XY Chin
Reviewed by Tiana Templeman
Expert reviewed by Adrian Taylor
Updated 24 June 2025

What are pet insurance exclusions?

Pet insurance offers peace of mind, but to truly benefit from your policy, you need to understand not only what is covered but also what isn’t. These ‘not covered’ items are called exclusions.

Every pet insurance policy is different, and some insurers may exclude certain veterinary treatments, specific conditions, circumstances and vet bills. Insurers list these in each insurance policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Exclusions are not intended to catch you out; they define the boundaries of the cover and help keep premiums manageable for everyone.

What does pet insurance not cover?

Pet insurance can cover your fur baby for life, for as long as the product is offered, provided there are no breaks in the cover over the whole policy period, and subject to the policy terms and conditions.

Most Australian pet insurance policies allow you to get insurance coverage for your pet from the time your pet is six weeks old and up until they reach eight or nine years old. Some insurers may have age limits, with policies becoming more expensive or harder to obtain as your pet gets older.

Many policies also include a waiting period, which can range from 30 days to six months, depending on the insurance product and the benefits you wish to claim. Insurance premiums will differ based on your pet’s age, your pet’s needs, your pet’s health and the pet insurance plan. Several terms and conditions may also impact your ability to claim.

Always read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand your benefit limit and any sub-limits that apply to specific conditions or therapies. The Target Market Determination (TMD) can help you understand if the insurance policy is the right fit for you and your pet.

While exclusions vary between insurers and policies, there are some common exclusions across most pet insurance providers in Australia:

Pre-existing conditions

Routine and preventive care

Pregnancy and breeding

Elective procedures

Dental procedures

Waiting periods

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance in Australia is typically structured around three levels of cover:

  • Accident-only policies
  • Accident and illness policies
  • Comprehensive policies (accidents, specific illness and optional routine care add-ons).

The key to finding the most suitable pet insurance for your furry friend is understanding the levels of cover for vet bills and selecting a cover option with an insurance benefit that balances cost with coverage based on your pet’s needs.

Before you buy a new policy, it’s important to read the underwriting of the policy and understand the exclusions, limitations, and waiting periods of your insurance plan. If your pet is prone to certain health issues, you may like to consider comprehensive plans with added benefits like routine care.

While exclusions are important to understand, it’s also crucial to know exactly what your policy covers as applicable waiting periods may still apply for many treatments and conditions.

Accident-only cover

Accident and illness cover

Comprehensive cover (accident and illness plus routine care add-on)

Excess and premium costs

It’s important to fully understand how the excess, premiums, and gaps work in your pet insurance policy to avoid unexpected costs and to ensure your pet’s healthcare is financially manageable:

  • Excess: The excess is the amount that the policyholder pays when they claim. This amount is agreed between the insurer and the policyholder when the policy is taken out or renewed. An excess can apply per condition or annually, depending on your policy.
  • Premium costs: The ongoing payments for your pet insurance can vary based on factors like your pet’s breed, age and the level of coverage.
  • Gap-only coverage: Gap Only pet insurance coverage allows pet owners to claim their insurance benefits on the spot at participating veterinary clinics, only paying the difference (or “gap”) between the vet expenses and the covered portion of the claim. This means you don’t have to wait for reimbursement and reduces the upfront out-of-pocket cost of veterinary care.

Meet our pet insurance expert, Adrian Taylor

Adrian Taylor
Executive General Manager – General Insurance

As a General Insurance expert with over 13 years’ experience in financial services, Adrian Taylor knows that dogs and cats get themselves into all sorts of mischief. One part of Adrian’s work is to help empower consumers to understand how pet insurance can help save them from exorbitant vet bills when their pet gets injured or falls ill.