Comprehensive Pet Insurance

Think of all the medical treatment you need throughout your life: check-ups, medications, X-rays, surgery. Our pets aren't much different. And since they're not eligible for Medicare, those costs can add up quickly. Comprehensive pet insurance covers accidents and illnesses and can also help out with the little stuff like vaccines, worming and teeth cleaning.

What cover does comprehensive pet insurance provide?

Comprehensive policies will generally cover:

Accident cover

Helps cover vet fees relating to physical injuries, such as electrocution, broken bones, fractures and snake bites.

Illness cover

Reimburses you for vet bills up to the limits and chosen reimbursement percentage of your policy, except for certain conditions that are specifically excluded.

Routine care allowance

Usually an optional add-on, routine care provides benefits to spend on routine care expenses, such as microchipping, desexing and teeth cleaning.

Additional benefits

Gives your pet emergency boarding cover, overseas pet cover, tick paralysis benefits and can cover the cost of essential, humane euthanasia.

What to look for in a comprehensive pet insurance policy

One insurer's comprehensive policy might be equivalent to a mid-level policy from a different insurer. You'll need to look at a few specific factors to choose the pet policy that's right for you.

• What does it cover? It's usually clear whether a plan has both accident and illness cover, but you'll need to look for some of the less common additions such as dental cover, and check the exclusions.
• How much does it reimburse you? Pet insurance policies reimburse you a certain percentage of medical costs. The standard amount for comprehensive cover is 80%, but it's possible to find policies that go all the way up to 100% reimbursement for a higher premium.
• What's the annual limit? The annual limit is the total amount you can claim per year. Comprehensive plans typically provide around $15,000 of cover, but it's possible to find higher limits up to $20,000. Sub-limits also typically apply to specific conditions, such as cruciate ligament claims.

• What is not covered?

  General exclusions include the following:

  • Medical expenses relating to pre-existing conditions
  • Costs relating to breeding or obstetrics
  • Injuries or illnesses relating to the use of an animal for commercial purposes
  • Day to day costs, such as pet food, accessories and grooming, even if prescribed or recommended by your vet
  • Specific preventative procedures, such as flea, tick or worm control. However, the actual treatment of conditions arising from these may still be covered by certain policies.
  • Specific training, socialisation and alternative therapy costs as specified in the policy, even if recommended by your vet
  • Elective procedures that are not part of the prescribed treatment for a specific condition
  • Cell replacement therapies, except blood transfusions when medically necessary
  • Treatments other than those recommended by your vet

  The exclusions are not necessarily set in stone. If you want cover for something in particular, such as a specific type of alternative therapy, then you may be able to adjust your policy in consultation with your insurer at an extra cost. Similarly, if you disagree with your vet's recommendation at some point and want to pursue a different treatment path, you may be able to clear it with your insurer and get it covered. In both cases, you'll need to get this clearly stated in writing.

• How do I get lifetime or old age cover for my pet?

  Most insurers will set age limits for new policies, and you cannot typically take out a policy for animals older than nine years old. Generally, there are two different ways to get cover for pets older than this.

  • Guaranteed renewability. Look for insurers with "renewal guaranteed" or a similar lifetime cover option. This is available from most insurers and simply means that as long as you take out a policy before your pet is nine years old and maintain cover without letting it lapse, you are able to keep it in place regardless of your pet's age.
  • No age limit. Certain policies do not carry any age limit, but often these will be basic accident-only cover policies.

  In Australia, the ideal way to make sure your pet has comprehensive medical and accident cover after the age of nine is to take out a policy before your dog reaches this age and maintain your cover.

• How does pet dental cover work?

  Even if you get the most comprehensive policy available from an insurer, it probably won't include dental cover unless you've specifically asked for it. This may be worth doing so, as many cat and dog breeds are especially prone to certain dental conditions. Ask your vet if you think it's a good idea for your pet.

  • Most policies will, by default, exclude dental procedures such as periodontitis treatments and tooth extractions.
  • Choosing to include dental illness cover will usually cost extra.

  Even with a dental plan, your pet will still not be covered for all possible oral procedures. Instead, you will only be covered for the procedures or eventualities specifically listed in your policy. Typically these include the following:

  • Gingivitis
  • Abscesses
  • Tooth removal
  • Dental diseases resulting from infection

  • Retained deciduous teeth
  • Cavities
  • Tooth fracture

  Between these, you're probably covered for many of the more common dental issues that cats and dogs will encounter.

How much will comprehensive pet insurance cost?

Here's an example of how much comprehensive cover for your pet could cost you from a leading insurer:

However, prices will differ based on a number of factors. These include:

• Age of your pet. This makes a significant difference as older animals are more susceptible to a range of health issues, which translates to higher premiums.
• Breed. Some breeds are more at risk for specific health issues.
• Size. Larger breeds of dog, for example, will cost more to feed and require more exercise than smaller breeds, so they usually attract higher premiums.

Your policy options also affect premiums, such as:

• The excess. As with other forms of insurance, pet plans typically require you to pay an excess when making a claim. You can opt for a higher excess to reduce premiums or select a $0 excess to avoid it entirely. If you select a lower excess, you will have to pay more in premiums.
• Your chosen reimbursement. Many policies give you a range of options and let you select your own reimbursement amount up to a specific cap, such as 80%.
• Multi-pet discounts.Many providers will give discounts based on multiple animals insured with them.
• Your payment plan. Some insurers will let you pay premiums monthly, fortnightly or annually, with a discount for those who make annual payments.