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Every pet owner’s worst nightmare is waking up to vet bills they can’t afford. The sad truth is that too many pets are put down each year because of unaffordable bills.
Pet insurance is designed to help make sure you don’t find yourself in that position by smoothing out the expenses, and helping cover emergencies when they come up.
Compare pet insurance policies in Queensland, and learn more about how insurance works and what to look for.
There are three types of cover to choose from:
When you compare the different pet insurance options you’ll find around Queensland, you’ll also find differences, such as:
If you’re after the cheapest pet insurance in Queensland, it’s most likely going to be an accident only policy with low limits, and a low percentage of costs covered.
Illness cover and higher limits can significantly increase premiums, but might be better value for your money in the long run.
The cost of pet insurance varies depending on a range of factors.
Have a dog? Find out how much pet insurance costs for each breed.
Your location can also play a significant role. For example, brachycephalic dog breeds, like pugs or other French bulldogs might have higher premiums in Queensland than other states because it can get a lot hotter up in the top end, and these breeds often have trouble regulating body heat.
Other risks insurers might consider include:
Is pet insurance worth it, or are you better off putting that money into a savings account and paying for treatments as they arise?
It’s a tricky question because of all the factors that can affect costs. But it’s worth noting that first-time pet owners are often caught by surprise when they run into vet bills. Even something relatively straightforward, like a broken leg, can run into thousands of dollars.
Your own situation also changes things. If having pet insurance means you don’t have to decide between putting down your friend or selling the car, then it’s probably a great investment.
Consider the usual costs of pet insurance in Queensland for different types of cover.
Policy | Cost per week | Cost per month | Cost per year | Cost of cover over 5 years | Cost of cover over 10 years |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accident-only cover | $4.62 | $20 | $240 | $1,200 | $2,400 |
Accident and illness cover | $8.08 to $12.69 | $35 to $55 | $420 to $660 | $2,100 to $3,300 | $4,200 to $6,600 |
Accident and illness cover plus routine and preventative care | $13.85+ | $60+ | $720+ | $3,600+ | $7,200+ |
Now consider the cost of some common vet bills.
Illness or injury | Total cost of treatment | Amount covered by pet insurance (80% of bill) | Remaining amount you would need to pay |
---|---|---|---|
Cruciate ligament surgery | $2,500 | $2,000 | $500 |
Vomiting/diarrhoea | $200 - $3,000 | $160 to $2,400 | $40 to $600 |
Tick paralysis | $5,000 | $4,000 | $1,000 |
Snake bite | $2,000 | $1,600 | $400 |
Bone fractures | $2,500 | $2,000 | $500 |
Ingesting a foreign body | $2,000 | $1,600 | $400 |
Cancer | $2,000 | $1,600 | $400 |
*Disclaimer: Please note that the costs quoted in the above table are guides only. Costs can vary greatly based on severity, required treatment and how much your vet charges. For example, the quoted cost of snake bite is $2,000, but in severe cases treatment could cost well over $10,000.
You might pay over $7,000 for comprehensive pet insurance over 10 years. During that time, the insurance might have saved you nothing if you haven’t needed to make any claims, or might have saved you well over $30,000 if you’ve had to pay a lot of vet bills.
You know your pet better than anyone else, so consider how likely it is to get in trouble.
Generally, the older your pet, the more likely it is that pet insurance will be worth it, even though it costs more. Generally, you’ll want to get pet insurance before you need it, on account of:
All insurance policies have exclusions, and pet insurance is no exception. In Queensland, some of the conditions to watch out for as you compare pet insurance include:
It’s also important to be aware of the laws around pet ownership in Queensland, for both legal and insurance reasons. Generally you’ll be required to follow the relevant pet ownership laws in order to maintain cover.
You are obligated to:
You are also strongly encouraged to desex your pet, and if you want to own a regulated breed of dog then you will need to request a permit from your local council.
All dogs must be registered before they are 12 weeks old, and within 14 days of moving to a new council area.
In Brisbane you must apply for a domestic dog permit if you keep more than 2 dogs, and there is a maximum of 4 dogs. If you keep more than 3 cats, you will need to get a cattery permit. This lets you keep up to 10 cats.
A breeders or show permit is also required if you want to keep more than 2 dogs for breeding, racing, sale or showing, or keep any cats for breeding or showing.
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