Cheapest pet insurance in Australia August 2026

Vet bills add up fast. The cheapest pet insurance in Australia covers the big stuff without making you choose between your pet and your rent.

4.7 based on 826 reviews

Cheap

Budget Direct Pet Insurance logo
  • 2026 Finder Award winner
  • The cheapest insurer according to Finder research
  • New customers can get up to 15% off their first year's premium online
16 of 89 results
Finder Score Accidental Injury Illness Maximum Yearly Benefit Paralysis Tick Yearly Sub-Limit Reimbursement rate Reimbursement Rate
$35,000
No sub-limit
60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%
60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%
Discount: Get your first 2 months free when you sign up, plus 10% multi-pet discount. T&Cs apply.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
$15,000
$1,500
80%
80%
Discount: Apply online and get 15% off your first year's premium. T&Cs apply.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
$10,000
$2,000
70%, 80% or 90%
70%, 80% or 90%
Finder exclusive: Get your first 4 weeks free on every new Dog and Cat policy. Use promo code FINDER at checkout. T&Cs apply.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Petcover Pet Insurance logo
$5,000
$2,000
70%, 80% or 90%
70%, 80% or 90%
Finder exclusive: Get your first 4 weeks free on every new Dog and Cat policy. Use promo code FINDER at checkout. T&Cs apply.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Fetch Pet logo
$30,000
No sub-limit
80% or 90% or 100%
80% or 90% or 100%
Multi-pet Discount: Get 5% off when you insure more than one pet. T&Cs apply.
Get dental, physio and behaviour cover included and skip wait periods by following our in-app journey.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Kogan Pet Insurance logo
$20,000
$3,000
80%
80%
Discount: Get 2 months free when you purchase Kogan Pet Insurance. Sign up using promo code 2MFREE. Offer ends 06 Feb 2028. T&Cs apply.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance logo
$10,000, $20,000 or $30,000
No sub-limit
70%, 80% or 90%
70%, 80% or 90%
Discount: Get your first 2 months free by using promo code: 2MFREE. Plus get a 10% multi pet discount. T&Cs apply.
Enjoy GapOnly claiming and complimentary use of myPetPass with 24/7 access to Live Vet Care. Also, policyholders are entitled to a free ID tag.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Kogan Pet Insurance logo
Specified illnesses only
$20,000
$2,000
80%
80%
Discount: Get 2 months free when you purchase Kogan Pet Insurance. Sign up using promo code 2MFREE. Offer ends 06 Feb 2028. T&Cs apply.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Budget Direct Pet Insurance logo
$12,000
$1,000
80%
80%
Discount: Apply online and get 15% off your first year's premium. T&Cs apply.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Petcover Pet Insurance logo
$5,000
No sub-limit
100%
100%
Finder exclusive: Get your first 4 weeks free on every new Dog and Cat policy. Use promo code FINDER at checkout. T&Cs apply.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Petcover Pet Insurance logo
$15,000
$2,000
70%, 80% or 90%
70%, 80% or 90%
Finder exclusive: Get your first 4 weeks free on every new Dog and Cat policy. Use promo code FINDER at checkout. T&Cs apply.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Kogan Pet Insurance logo
$30,000
$30,000
80%
80%
Discount: Get 2 months free when you purchase Kogan Pet Insurance. Sign up using promo code 2MFREE. Offer ends 06 Feb 2028. T&Cs apply.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Budget Direct Pet Insurance logo
$25,000
$3,000
80%
80%
Discount: Apply online and get 15% off your first year's premium. T&Cs apply.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Knose Pet Insurance logo
$7,500, $12,500 or $25,000
$25,000
70%, 80% or 90%
70%, 80% or 90%
Finder exclusive: Get 10% off your first year's premium, using Finder's exclusive discount code: FINDER10. Plus get a 5% multi pet discount. T&Cs apply.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Pet Insurance Australia logo
$15,000, $25,000 or $35,000
Up to annual benefit limit
70%, 80% or 90%
70%, 80% or 90%
Covers your vet bills for specified accidents and illnesses, including cruciate ligament and cancer treatment.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Petcover Pet Insurance logo
$10,000
No sub-limit
100%
100%
Finder exclusive: Get your first 4 weeks free on every new Dog and Cat policy. Use promo code FINDER at checkout. T&Cs apply.
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
loading
Showing 16 of 39 results

Finder Score for pet insurance

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.

Read the full methodology

Key takeaways

  • Choosing a higher excess or lower annual limit can help reduce your pet insurance premiums.
  • For a 5-year-old Staffy sample premiums ranged from $605.76 to $681.41 annually, but your quote will vary.
  • Compare policies thoroughly, checking reimbursement rates, annual limits and specific sub-limits for comprehensive cover.

Cheap pet insurance options

To demonstrate just how much pet insurance premiums can vary between providers, we gathered a range of quotes from pet insurers for a 5-year-old male, desexed Staffordshire Terrier. The figures below can be used as a general guide to highlight how premiums can differ between providers. Your own quote will likely differ.

Sample quote
Sample quote
$681.41
Get quote View details
Compare product selection
Australian Unity Pet Insurance logo
Sample quote
$605.76
View details
Compare product selection
Orivet Pet Insurance logo
Sample quote
$605.76
View details
Compare product selection
Potiki Pet Insurance logo
Sample quote
$605.76
View details
Compare product selection
Petinsurance.com.au Pet Insurance logo
Sample quote
$605.76
View details
Compare product selection
loading

To learn more about how we got the costs above, read our pet insurance methodology.

How to get cheaper pet insurance

Select a higher excess

The higher the excess you choose, the cheaper your premiums will be. Our filters let you choose between a $0 and $500 excess to help lower costs. Just remember that you'll need to pay this excess whenever you make a claim.

Opt for a lower annual limit and reimbursement rate

An annual limit is the maximum amount you can claim per year. The reimbursement rate refers to the percentage of a vet bill the pet insurer will pay. Generally, the lower the annual limit and reimbursement rate, the cheaper your pet insurance policy is likely to cost.

Get multiple quotes

While we can't show you exactly how much you'll pay for a pet insurance policy, there's nothing stopping you from clicking through, answering some questions about your pet and getting a couple of different quotes. If price is your only concern, go with the insurer that gives you the cheapest quote.

What does pet insurance cover?

A typical pet insurance policy can cover you for a range of treatments. Each provider differs so be sure to understand what's included as standard and what you'll need to add as an optional extra.

Here are some of the benefits you'll find in your policy:

  • Accidental injuries
  • Illnesses
  • Tick paralysis
  • Routine care
  • Hospitalisation
  • Surgery
  • Radiology
  • Specialist care
  • Skin conditions
  • Hereditary conditions
  • Medicines
  • Cruciate ligaments
  • Lab tests
  • Dental
  • Cancer treatment
  • Consultations and vet visits

Video: how to get cheap pet insurance in Australia

Do You Need Pet Insurance?

Is cheap pet insurance worth it?

A cheap policy can be worth it, as long as you know what you're giving up. The lowest premiums usually come with lower annual limits, lower reimbursement rates (say 70% instead of 90%) or higher excesses, which means more out of your own pocket when you claim.

That can be a smart trade if you mainly want protection against big, unexpected vet bills rather than help with everyday costs. But it's worth checking the sub-limits and exclusions before you buy, a very cheap policy that doesn't cover the conditions your pet is likely to face isn't really a saving. For more on this, check out our guide on whether pet insurance is worth it.

Is cheap pet insurance for dogs or cats cheaper?

Cats are generally cheaper to insure than dogs. They tend to have fewer breed-related health problems and lower average vet costs, so premiums are usually lower for the same level of cover.

With dogs, the breed makes a big difference. Larger breeds and those prone to hereditary conditions usually cost more to insure than small, healthy breeds. So the cheapest policy for your pet depends not just on the insurer, but on your specific animal.

Whether you have a dog or a cat, the way to find the cheapest cover is the same: get a few quotes for your pet's exact breed, age and location, then compare like-for-like on cover level.

Accident-only cover: the cheapest option

If your only goal is the lowest possible premium, accident-only cover is usually the cheapest type of pet insurance. It covers you for injuries from accidents, like a broken bone or a snakebite, but not for illnesses such as cancer or skin conditions.

It won't suit everyone, illness makes up a large share of vet claims, but for a young, healthy pet, or if you simply want a safety net against major accidents on a tight budget, it's worth considering. Compare accident-only policies to see how much you could save.

Must read

Some pet insurance policies cover you for specified illnesses. This means you need to read the product disclosure statement (PDS) to see which illnesses your furry pal will be covered for. In most cases, it should include the most common types of illnesses.

How does pet insurance work?

In the event your pet needs medical attention, pet insurance works by providing you with a partial reimbursement on the vet fees you had to pay. This is done with a few considerations:

Benefit percentage

When you take out your pet insurance policy, you can elect a reimbursement rate. The options are typically for 70, 80, 90 or 100%. The higher your reimbursement rate, the higher your premium will be.

Benefit limit and sub-limits

Each insurer has a maximum cover amount available per year. This is the limit which they will pay out in any single year. On top of this, there are sub-limits which apply to specific treatments. Let's say for example, you take out a policy with a max cover amount of $30,000. Afterwards, you have to go to the vet for a cruciate ligament treatment and it costs you $4,000. You go to make a claim for cruciate ligaments but it has a sub-limit of $1,500. This means you only get reimbursed for $1,500 of the $4,000 you paid.

Policy excess

When you take out a policy, you will nominate an excess to pay. This is the amount you will have to pay the insurer to be able to make a claim on your policy. Often, instead of having to transfer the money to your insurer, they'll just deduct it from your reimbursement.

Save with pet insurance discount codes

Check now and find a better deal.

How is a pet insurance premium calculated?

The cost of your pet insurance premium is highly customised. It will depend on any of the following:

  • Breed
  • Age
  • How healthy they currently are and if they've had illnesses in the past

The status of your pet aside, there are a few other factors that influence your overall premium:

  • Policy excess: The higher your excess, the lower your premium
  • Optional extras: The more you add, the more expensive your policy will be.
Elizabeth Barry's headshot

"I realised the value of pet insurance when one of my dogs got very sick as a young puppy. We have now had both dogs insured for years. I can't tell you how much we've saved being able to claim vet bills for injuries and some illnesses. If I could do it again, I would organise insurance before bringing the dogs home as puppies."

Journalist

FAQs

Sources

Jason Loewenthal's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Jason Loewenthal as part of our fact-checking process.
Ceyda Erem's headshot
Written by

Senior writer

Ceyda Erem is Finder’s senior writer for insurance and has almost 10 years of experience writing about personal finance. Formerly a copywriter for several business and finance clients, Ceyda has written hundreds of articles, guides, blogs and more to ensure Australians stay in the loop about how to best manage their money. She has a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Writing from Macquarie University. See full bio

Ceyda's expertise
Ceyda has written 193 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Insurance
Peta Taylor's headshot
Co-written by

Publisher of Insurance

Peta Taylor is a publisher at Finder, working across all of insurance. She's been analysing product disclosure statements and publishing articles for over 2 years. Peta is passionate about demystifying complex insurance products to help users make well educated decisions with confidence. Peta is part of Finder's insurance awards team and works alongside editorial and insights experts to bring users the best insurance products every year. See full bio

Get rewarded $$ for switching with Finder Rewards

Find a better deal, save on your bills and get a free gift card. Sign up to be the first to hear about new Finder Rewards.

More guides on Finder

Go to site