Buddy pet insurance review

What we think of Buddy Pet Insurance

Pros

• You get your first month free in your first year of cover, which amounts to an effective 8.3% discount. There's also a 10% discount for each additional pet you insure after the first.
• Gold policies have a $35,000 annual cap for coverage, which is one of the highest on the market. The 90% benefit limit for Gold is also higher than most rivals.
• You can customise your policies for excess levels and extra inclusions to reduce the cost.

Buddy runs a "Giving Program" and has pledged to donate $1 million to animal charities and support organisations, including WIRES Wildlife Rescue, WWF Australia and Vets Beyond Borders.

Cons

• Policy costs rise rapidly if you want a $0 excess.
• Animals over 9 can't get cover.
• You're still liable for between 10-30% of vet bills, depending on your cover level.
• There's no coverage for any animals other than dogs and cats.

Since Buddy is newly-launched, there haven't yet been enough customer reviews to assess how well it handles claims. We'll keep monitoring this as part of our ongoing Customer Satisfaction Awards.

Compare Buddy Pet Insurance policies

Finder Score	Maximum Yearly Benefit	Paralysis Tick Yearly Sub-Limit	Reimbursement rate	Accidental Injury	Illness
Promoted Finder Score 8.6 Great Buddy Bronze Pet Insurance	Finder Score 8.6 Great	$11,000	No sub-limits	70%			Get 1 month free. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 8.5 Great Buddy Silver Pet Insurance	Finder Score 8.5 Great	$20,000	No sub-limits	80%			Get 1 month free. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 8.6 Great Buddy Gold Pet Insurance	Finder Score 8.6 Great	$35,000	No sub-limits	90%			Get 1 month free. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading

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We designed Finder Score to make comparing pet insurance easier, assessing more than 20 products for their price and features. Finder Score assigns each product a score out of 10.

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How to submit a Buddy Pet Insurance claim

Buddy supports the GapOnly payment platform. If your vet offers this, you'll only have to pay the difference between the vet's charges and what Buddy itself will pay. If GapOnly isn't available, this is the process:

1. Pay your vet bill: After your pet's treatment, pay the invoice in full and collect an itemised receipt along with your pet's medical notes.
2. Fill out a claim form: Log in to the Buddy member portal to complete a claim form. You can also download a form from the website if you prefer to send it via email.
3. Attach supporting documents: Include your itemised invoice and any relevant vet notes or medical history.
4. Submit your claim: Upload your documents via the Buddy online portal or email them to claims@buddypetinsurance.com.au.
5. Wait for assessment: Buddy will assess your claim and may contact you or your vet for more information.
6. Get reimbursed: If approved, you'll be reimbursed up to 90% of eligible vet costs (depending on your coverage level minus your chosen excess), usually via bank transfer.

Frequently asked questions about Buddy Pet Insurance

• How much does Buddy Pet Insurance cost?

  The cost will vary depending on your animal's age, sex and breed, and the level of inclusions you select. As an example, Gold cover for a 3-year-old male labrador was quoted at $1207.67 with annual payment and a $500 excess in July 2025. If you wanted $0 excess, that went up to $2146.48.

• Can I get cover for pre-existing conditions with Buddy Pet Insurance?

  To get coverage for pre-existing conditions, you'll need to submit an assessment form to Buddy to see if coverage is available for your pet. Typically, your pet will need to be free of symptoms for 18 months before those conditions can be excluded. Like most insurers, Buddy won't cover pre-existing conditions that can't be cured, including hip or elbow dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, patella luxation and endocrine diseases.

• Will I have to serve waiting periods with Buddy Pet insurance?

  Yes, waiting periods apply. These are the main ones:

  • 2 days for accidental injuries
  • 30 days for illnesses
  • 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions

  If you take out additional Booster Care benefits, there's a 30-day waiting period for behavioural conditions and 6 months for specified dental conditions.

Written by

Angus Kidman

Editor-at-large

Angus Kidman is Finder’s International Editor-at-Large and an award-winning journalist with over 30 years of experience in tech, travel and finance. He was previously the editor of Lifehacker Australia and Australian Personal Computer, and is a recognised commentator, appearing on shows like Sunrise and The Project. A two-time IT Journalism Award winner, Angus has written for top publications such as The Sydney Morning Herald, the AFR, The Australian and Gizmodo, and is known for his expertise in travel rewards and consumer technology. See full bio

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