Pet owners have several types of policies to choose from when considering pet insurance – each offering different coverage levels and unique benefits. The most basic level of cover available in pet insurance is an accident-only policy.
Pet insurance with accident cover can help pay for some of your eligible vet costs or emergency care if your pet has an accident or suffers an injury. It does not cover illnesses. Accident-only cover is considered the most basic level of pet insurance.
That’s because this level of coverage has fewer benefits and lower limits compared to other types of pet insurance. For example, accident-only policies may not offer optional extras and may have a lower annual claim limit. So, if your pet is no stranger to danger and you think you might claim a few times a year, consider a pet insurance policy with higher coverage and limits, like accident and illness pet insurance.
Most insurers define an accident − or accidental injury − as physical harm your pet suffers in an unexpected or unplanned event/incident. Claimable accidents for pet insurance are unrelated to any other causes or illness, including chronic and pre-existing conditions. Most insurance companies won’t cover injuries resulting from negligence or malicious intent.
An accident-only pet insurance policy can help cover specified accidental injuries, such as:
Inclusions and benefit limits may vary depending on your specific policy and insurer. Check your provider’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to find out what you’re covered for and compare your options if you need a higher level of cover.
Accident-only pet insurance doesn’t cover illnesses. Other common exclusions that apply to most pet insurance policies include:
Keep in mind that some insurers offer optional extras on more comprehensive accident and illness policies that provide a benefit towards treatments commonly excluded from accident-only policies. This may include cover for vaccinations and routine care procedures like de-sexing, worming, and dental care.
Pet insurance coverage and benefits will differ between providers, but you can generally expect a policy to include the following:
There are several things you should keep in mind when you take out accident-only cover.
Your pet’s age, current health status, and medical or claims history are all factors that can affect the cost of premiums and the policies available to them. You may feel that your pet needs protection for more than just accidents and may instead benefit from a more comprehensive pet insurance policy.
An excess is the amount you need to contribute to any claim on your pet insurance and this will be listed in your policy schedule. The other common out-of-pocket expense is due to the policy’s benefit percentage; after the insurer applies the benefit percentage, you will need to cover the balance of the vet’s bill.
While an excess is a fixed amount you pay for each claim, the other out-of-pocket expenses will change in line with the total cost of the vet bill.
Waiting periods don’t typically apply to accidental injuries (which means you’re covered from when you buy your policy), but most health conditions and illnesses covered under a combined policy have applicable waiting periods on claims unless stated otherwise.
For example, you may only be able to claim on cruciate ligament conditions once a certain amount of time has passed (e.g. six months). This can vary from insurer to insurer so make sure to review your PDS for exact details.
If you’re looking to get your pet covered for illnesses, you can read about accident and illness cover and comprehensive coverage in our guide to different types of pet insurance.
Most insurance providers will consider any symptoms or health conditions present before the commencement date of your new pet insurance policy as pre-existing conditions, meaning they’ll be excluded from cover. However, some insurers may cover pets with pre-existing conditions that have been cured or resolved for some time, usually for a minimum of 12 months.
Insuring your dog or cat when they’re young and healthy (or at least within their first year) means they’re less likely to have pre-existing conditions that won’t be covered. This is particularly important if your pet’s breed is known to have hereditary issues.
The premium you pay for your accident-only pet insurance will likely differ from what pet owners with a standard accident and illness cover will pay. This is because premiums are calculated using factors unique to you and your pet, like the level of cover you’ve chosen and your pet’s age, breed, and health status.
If you’d like to find out how much accident-only pet insurance might cost, you can get a quote via our pet insurance comparison service.
Most providers will offer pet insurance cover for dogs and cats. However, if you want to cover a different animal (like a horse), you’ll need to seek a policy from a specialist provider.
Remember that certain dog breeds are banned in Australia and therefore won’t be covered by pet insurance, including dogs considered dangerous by authorities. Additionally, pets used for commercial purposes will not be covered.
There is no single ‘best’ accident-only policy because the best policy for you and your pet is probably different to the best one for someone else. The best accident-only insurance may be one that meets your pet’s needs, provides adequate cover, and suits your budget.
Accident-only pet insurance is worth considering because there’s no telling when your pet might get injured in an accident or how much your vet costs will amount to. Having the right insurance policy to take care of the bills means you can focus on helping your furry friend get back on their paws.
If you’re in the market for pet insurance, look no further! Our pet insurance comparison service is free to use and can do all the hard work for you. All you need to do is enter a few details about you and your pet, and our service will show you the range of policies we have on offer.
Comparing is a great way to sort through the ins and outs of insurance, so you’re making a more informed decision for the furriest member of your family.
So, what are you waiting for? Compare pet insurance today!
