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First time pet owners are often astounded when they discover how expensive vet bills can be. This is where pet insurance comes in, making sure you don’t find yourself needing to decide between your best friend and your life savings.
Compare pet insurance quotes in WA, or read on to learn more about picking cover, and how pet insurance works.
There are three types of cover to choose from:
When you compare pet insurance options around Western Australia, you’ll also encounter some other differences, such as:
The cheapest pet insurance in Western Australia is most likely going to be a low limits, accident only policy. That doesn’t mean it’s the best though, or that you’ll get the most value for money with it.
Illness cover can be exceptionally important, while higher limits might be essential for cushioning your wallet. Vet bills can run to well over $10,000 in some situations, so higher limits can be important.
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, and insurers might consider it in different ways.
If you take out pet insurance in Perth, for example, insurers will often ask for your postcode in order to assess the odds of a pet being hit by a car. Conversely, pet insurance in regional WA might come with lower premiums due to the reduced traffic, but might have higher premiums due the potential dangers posed by kangaroos, snakes and more.
Different insurers will assess location and other risk factors in different ways so it can pay to shop around.
One insurer might give cheaper cover for a terrier owner in Perth than in the country, but another insurer might do it the other way around.
There are no guarantees, but like any other insurance, if you do need it you’ll definitely be glad to have it.
It’s hard to say whether it’s worth it because of all the different pricing factors. However, it should be noted that even a fairly straightforward injury, such as a broken leg, runs up thousands of dollars in veterinary bills. Having the “bill smoothing” effect of pet insurance can make it a lot more affordable and easier to pay, even if you do end up paying more in premiums than you save.
But in the long run, you might be more likely to get value for money than it would initially appear.
Consider the usual costs of pet insurance in Western Australia 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 to $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 a snake bite is $2,000, but in severe cases treatment could cost well over $10,000.
Over the next ten years someone might pay $7,000 for comprehensive cover. During that time they might only claim a few hundred dollars in vet fees, or over $30,000.
It’s largely down to luck, but you might also consider your pet’s individual factors.
Generally, the older your pet, the more likely it is that pet insurance will be worth it, even though it costs more. Think about getting pet insurance before you need it, on account of:
Pet insurance has a range of general and specific exclusions, just like other forms of insurance. In Western Australia and elsewhere, some of the conditions to watch out for include:
Insurers may also decline claims if they are the result of your breaching local council or state pet ownership laws.
Western Australia has a range of different insurers that offer pet cover. Compare quotes and check out some of the different options to find the cover that’s right for you.
Get cover that works for your pet and your budget.
Want to save on pet insurance? Here's how.
How much does it cost to insure a dog in Australia?
The average price to insure a cat.