We want to keep our beloved pets healthy for as long as possible, but the risk of them needing veterinary care often increases as they grow older.
While pet insurance can help cover some of the costs associated with treatments for ageing cats and dogs, you may have limited cover options or encounter policy restrictions when taking out a new pet insurance policy for a senior pet.
Read on to learn more about the types of insurance available for senior dogs and cats and the level of cover these policies may offer.
There isn’t a product specifically called ‘senior pet insurance’, so remember this when looking for a policy. You’ll generally be able to take out pet insurance for older dogs aged nine and over, but you’ll likely be restricted to basic policies that only cover accidental injuries or offer limited coverage for specified illnesses.
Basic policies for older pets have a lower benefit percentage (or reimbursement rate) than higher-tiered options, so you’ll usually still be required to pay a larger portion of eligible vet bills. For example, you may only be able to claim up to 60% back for eligible treatments, meaning you’d have to foot the remaining 40% of the bill.
Remember that pet insurance policies also have annual benefit limits and sub-limits on certain veterinary expenses. For instance, there might be an annual benefit limit of $10,000 but a $500 sub-limit for tick paralysis treatment. Keep in mind also that pre-existing conditions and age-related conditions like arthritis, cruciate ligament rupture and cancer will not be covered.
If your pet is ill and you have an accident-only policy, you’ll need to pay for the entirety of the vet expenses relating to your pet’s illness.
Pet insurance for older or senior cats works very much the same way as for dogs. Though, in most cases, you’ll be able to take out a basic level of cover for cats aged nine and over. Depending on the insurer, these policies may cover accidents only or accidents and some illnesses.
Comprehensive insurance is usually available for pets before they turn nine. If you take out a suitable policy while your pooch or kitty is young, they can be protected for life – if you maintain continuous cover past this age.
Suppose you take out this high level of cover before the relevant age threshold, and you hold this level of cover continuously, then your pet can remain covered under the same policy. This will ensure your pet can be covered for more than just accidents and limited illnesses.
You can purchase accident and illness cover for your pet cat or dog from six weeks old, so if it’s something you think you’ll need for your pet down the line, consider purchasing sooner rather than later. You should at least take out cover within the first year of your puppy or kitten’s life.
Insurance providers deal with pre-existing medical conditions differently, but in most cases, they won’t be covered by a policy if:
The above applies to all levels of cover, so it’s recommended to take out pet cover when your pet is young and before they experience health problems – especially if their breed is known to have hereditary issues.
Example. Cindy has a four-year-old pug named Peggy – a breed of dog known to develop breathing problems. Peggy has been fit and healthy and has shown no signs of breathing difficulty, but Cindy decides to take out comprehensive insurance to protect Peggy down the line. Doing so helps make sure that Peggy will be protected with the right level of cover if she develops a condition.
If Cindy waited until Peggy started developing respiratory issues to purchase pet insurance, it would be considered a pre-existing condition and likely wouldn’t be covered.
All insurance companies treat temporary and permanent pre-existing conditions differently. For a temporary condition that won’t affect your pet for the rest of their life, providers may temporarily add it as an exclusion to your policy.
For the full terms and conditions on how your insurer treats pre-existing issues in senior pets, it’s best to read the insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or Target Market Determination (TMD).
While the age of your cat or dog can increase the premium you pay for pet insurance, it’s not the only factor that impacts the cost of a policy. This is why two animals of the same species and age can attract different premiums from separate providers.
Other factors taken into consideration include:
Pet insurance companies assess eligibility criteria differently. Read more about how pet insurance premiums are calculated.
Unfortunately, just like humans, pets tend to experience more health issues in their later years. So, insurers wouldn’t be able to pay claims if every pet owner only took out pet insurance when their animal was old or started experiencing health problems.
Since pet insurance isn’t community-rated like health insurance for people, providers can limit and restrict the age of pets they offer coverage for when you take out a new policy.
The best way to get around this is to purchase a policy when your pet is young and healthy, so there’s cover in place if they become ill or injured in later life.
Pets are considered senior when they’re older than seven, according to Greencross Vets.1 However, senior and geriatric classification will vary based on breed, species and more. For example, larger-breed dogs generally age faster than smaller dogs and therefore have a shorter life expectancy. Smaller breeds can usually live up to 16 years of age.
Pet insurance cover has no age limits if your pet is already insured and you keep paying your premium. However, there are age restrictions on new policies. You may find policies for senior dogs and cats before or up to 16 years of age, although you may be limited to accident-only cover. Be sure to read the PDS of any insurance product you buy.
Routine care cover is available as an optional add-on for older pets up to nine years of age for new policyholders and even beyond for existing policyholders. Routine care may include cover for periodic vet consultations and dental and preventative treatments, like vaccinations and flea/tick control.
This can vary between providers, but you can typically transfer your pet insurance plan to a new owner if you can no longer care for your pet. Doing so is particularly handy if you’re giving up an older dog or cat and want to avoid a lapse in their insurance coverage.
An insurer will need the new owner’s contact details and policy payment method, but the new owner should contact them directly for other documentation the insurer may require.
Pet insurance premiums increase every year, similar to other kinds of insurance. This is due to growing medical costs over time and your pet getting older. Pets face more health complications as they grow older (like humans), and then there are other factors, such as breed or species, that increase the risk for insurers.
You may be able to find a similar policy for a lower price, so do your research when it comes time to renew your premium. Just remember that the best pet insurance is not always the cheapest on the market, but the one that provides suitable cover for your pet in the long run.
You don’t have to take your pet to a specific vet to claim on pet insurance. All licensed and registered vets in Australia will accept pet insurance and you won’t be tied to a specific vet when you take out a policy. This means you can stay with your local vet or choose any registered vet.
Pet insurance can provide you with peace of mind if the worst was to happen to your pet, but it can be overwhelming to know which policy you should consider.
Whether you’ve got a dog getting on in years or just purchased a kitten, we can help you find a pet insurance quote.
Our pet insurance comparison tool allows you to assess a variety of policies from our panel of providers and underwriters, so you can compare costs, features and more.
Within minutes, you’ll have a range of options to choose from. The best part is this service is free to use, always.
1 Greencross Vets − When Does My Pet Become A Senior? Accessed March 2023.
