Pet insurance for senior dogs and cats
Note: ‘Senior pet insurance’ is not a standalone product but an umbrella term for pet insurance covering senior cats and dogs.
What is senior pet insurance?
Pet insurance for senior pets is not an insurance policy; it is a blanket term that refers to the options available for your animal companion as they enter older age. Premiums may be higher, and options may be limited, but an insurance policy for your senior pet can provide financial support for unexpected conditions that can become more common as pets age.
Expert tips for choosing the right insurance for senior pets
Our resident pet insurance expert, Adrian Taylor, has helpful tips for pet owners looking to insure their older companions.
Adrian Taylor
Chief Executive – General Insurance
Increase your excess to reduce your premiums
You can reduce your pet insurance costs even if your beloved pet is older or has known health issues that increase your risk of claiming. Some insurers will allow you to pay a higher excess (the amount you contribute towards claims) to reduce your premiums.
Consider benefits limits and sub-limits
Most pet insurance plans have annual benefit limits on vet consultations – how much you can claim on your policy each year − and sub-limits on treatments for conditions.
Be aware of pre-existing conditions
Keep in mind that pre-existing conditions are typically not covered by pet insurance, no matter your level of coverage. A pre-existing condition is often referred to as an illness (or symptoms) that existed or occurred before taking out a policy or during your policy’s mandated waiting period. Insurers may define and approach pre-existing conditions differently, so checking your policy details is important.
Why take out pet insurance for senior cats and dogs?
Pet insurance for senior cats and dogs, including specific pet insurance options for older dogs, can help manage rising vet costs for age-related conditions, so you can access treatments without large out-of-pocket expenses. Senior pets are usually defined as aged over 7 years; however, this can ultimately vary depending on breed, size and the insurance provider. The cost of caring for an older pet increases with their healthcare needs, and senior pets are more likely to require frequent vet visits and veterinary care. These costs can add up over time, alongside ongoing medication and specialised treatments. Pet insurance can help offset these rising costs and make ongoing care far more manageable.
The benefits of pet insurance for senior pets can include:
- Cover for accidental injuries, including car accidents, poisoning, tick paralysis, snake or insect bites and wounds.
- Policies for older animals with limited benefits for specified illnesses (age limits apply).
- The ability to choose your own vet or clinic for treatment.
- A financial safety net and peace of mind if your senior pet needs emergency care or boarding.
How do I choose pet insurance for senior pets?
Choose pet insurance for your senior pet by focusing on coverage for age-related conditions and weighing the higher premiums against the level of cover you may need. It’s also important to look at benefit limits and exclusions.
It’s important to consider the following:
- Basic policies for older pets often have a lower benefit percentage, so you may have to pay a larger portion of eligible vet bills out of pocket.
- Comprehensive pet insurance is usually available for pets up until they turn 9. If you take out a suitable policy before that, your pooch or feline can be protected for life if you maintain continuous cover past this age.
- Optional routine care is also available for older pets up to 9 years of age as an add-on for new policyholders.
- Some insurers offer accident-only cover for senior pets up to 16 years of age. A basic level of cover for injuries will be cheaper than more comprehensive accident and illness cover.
Can I purchase insurance for senior pets?
Yes, you can purchase insurance for pets over 9 and over, but you’ll likely be restricted to basic policies that only cover accidental injuries or specified illnesses. Options may be limited and costs can be higher when it comes to insuring older pets. Many pet owners may wonder: can you get pet insurance for older dogs? While you can, it may be limited to less insurers than if you insure when the dog is young and maintain continuous coverage.
There is not a product specifically called ‘senior pet insurance’, so remember this when looking for a policy.
Can my pet be too old to be insured?
Yes, some insurers may have a maximum entry age limit for new policies, meaning your pet may become too old to take out a new cat or dog insurance plan. Many insurers will not offer new policies once a pet reaches a certain age (in Australia, this is usually 9 years old). While there are options to keep your pet insured after this cut-off, premiums will often be more costly due to the higher health risks associated with older pets.
The best course of action is to ensure your pet has insurance before the provider’s age cut-off date, which, at the insurer’s discretion, can ensure coverage continues. You will need to renew the policy each year and ensure your pet’s coverage does not lapse so it can continue into their later senior years.
What do I need to know about insurance for senior pets?
When looking at options for your older pet, it’s important to understand what options are available, the likelihood of higher premiums compared to younger pets, and insurance transfer possibilities.
Senior pet coverage is best suited to owners seeking financial predictability for expensive treatment later in life rather than maximum cost savings. While there is no exact policy called ‘senior pet insurance,’ there are options available.
Yes, it is very likely that premiums for older pets will be more expensive, as insurers will factor in the higher risk of illness, injury and claims as pets age. However, other factors can cause the premiums to rise, which is why two animals of the same species and age can attract different premiums. These include:
- your pet insurance claims history
- the breed and species of the animal
- where you live
- the gender of the cat or dog
- whether the pet has been vaccinated and desexed.
Pet insurance companies assess eligibility criteria differently. To know more, read how pet insurance premiums are calculated.
Does senior pet insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
No, pet insurance for older pets will generally not cover pre-existing medical conditions, including if your pet has shown signs or symptoms before taking out a policy, or during the waiting period.
This applies to all levels of cover regardless of age, so it’s often recommended to take out pet cover when your pet is young and before they experience health problems like diabetes – especially if their breed is known to have hereditary issues.
Can my senior pet insurance carry over to a new owner?
Yes, you may be able to transfer your insurance to a new owner depending on the provider and plan. Some insurers will not allow a direct transfer from one person to another, however, and the new owner will have to take out a fresh policy. If there is no break in cover between the two policies, the insurer may waive waiting periods and allow any previous approved exclusions or conditions to continue.
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.
What else should I know when it comes to insuring senior pets?
Waiting periods when insuring a senior pet
Depending on your insurer, it is possible to be covered for accidents immediately after you take out cover for your senior pet, with the waiting period either immediate or 2 days. For illnesses, there’s usually a 30-day waiting period for most conditions, although this will depend on your insurer and policy.
Common insurance exclusions for senior pets
Senior pets will likely have more exclusions than a policy for a young pup or kitten, with cover often more restricted. In addition to pre-existing conditions, it’s likely that chronic conditions and health problems associated with age such as arthritis, cruciate ligament rupture and cancer won’t be covered.
Other common pet insurance exclusions include dental illness, preventative care (e.g. vaccinations, worming) and artificial limbs.
Is pet insurance worth it for a senior dog or cat?
Pet insurance can be worth it for a senior pet if your priority is managing the cost of the unexpected, which can become more common as your pet ages. As a result, older cats and dogs are rated as higher risk, meaning premiums and exclusions will likely be greater and policy choices more restricted.
Be sure to read the PDS of any insurance product you buy. This document will help you understand the cover you’re applying for and any exclusions that apply.
Meet our pet insurance expert, Adrian Taylor
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.