Dog insurance in Australia

What is dog insurance and how does it work?

Dog insurance is a type of pet insurance that covers a portion of a dog's eligible vet bills, ranging from various illnesses or health issues, accidents and injuries.

Your insurer pays you back a percentage of the cost (usually between 80% - 90%) after you've paid the vet and filed a claim. Like you would with any other type of insurance, you will need to pay an excess if your claim is approved.

Why consider dog insurance in Australia?

They say if you can't afford the vet, don't get the pet. And they're not wrong.

According to a recent report from the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), veterinary services are the second biggest expense for pet owners, with a national spend of around $1.9b.

Between routine check ups, annual vaccinations and random accidents or health scares, trips to the vet can start to add up. PetSure, one of Australia's biggest pet insurers, revealed that pet healthcare costs have increased at a rate that exceeds inflation.

Dog insurance is your financial safety net to ensure you won't be left severely out of pocket if your dog needs urgent medical treatment.

The average cost of dog insurance

To give you an idea of what you could be paying, we ran a series of quotes to determine the average cost of dog insurance. We found that dogs with known issues, like dachshunds and their spines, are typically more expensive than other, less problematic breeds.

Below is an example of just how much pricing changes between insurers when trying to get pet insurance. These are the average costs across five different dog breeds and ages.

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The types of dog insurance policies

In Australia, dog insurance is typically available in 3 types: accident-only, accident and illness or comprehensive, with optional extras available. And depending on the insurer, you’ll also have your pick between monthly or annual premiums.

• Accident-only. A very basic and cheap policy that only covers accidents, like broken bones or a snake bite. The waiting period for this type of cover is usually a couple of days, though you are able to find policies with no waiting periods.
• Accident and illness. Policies that cover accidents and illnesses, providing a more well-rounded range of cover.
• Comprehensive. The highest level of cover you can have for your dog. It includes cover for accidents, illnesses and other optional add-ons like dental care and routine care.

What does dog insurance cover?

Dog insurance in Australia covers a range of accidents, illnesses and treatments. While the specific things your dog will covered for will be listed in your chosen insurer’s policy, some of the more common scenarios include:

• Injuries caused by accidents. This can include events like being attacked by another animal, being hit by a car, falling from a height or ingesting foreign objects.
• Illness. This refers to skin conditions, cancer, tick paralysis, gastrointestinal problems and ear or eye issues.
• Bilateral conditions. This means conditions that affect both sides of your dog’s body, like hip dysplasia, cataracts and luxating patellas. However, coverage will come down to the insurer, as if they consider these to be pre-existing conditions, you may not be covered.
• Routine care. Things like vaccinations, teeth cleaning, behavioural training or general check-ups may be covered under your policy.

When taking out dog insurance for your pup, it’s important to thoroughly review the insurer’s product disclosure statement (PDS). Pet insurers should have their PDS visible on their website so you’re able to read through it before you purchase the policy.

This gives you an opportunity to double check if the things you need covered are included or have the option to be added onto an existing policy.

Our expert says: Get in early

"My number one tip for any new puppy parent is to get them insured as soon as you bring them home. You might not think you need pet insurance when they're that little, but puppies love to get themselves into all kinds of trouble as they explore their new surroundings. Plus, it can also ensure they're covered later on if they develop a pre-existing condition."

Ceyda Erem

Senior writer

What's not covered?

Across pet insurers you'll generally find a range of common exclusions. Some of these include:

• Pre-existing conditions. This is a big one for many insurers. For instance, things like hip or elbow dysplasia are considered to be pre-existing conditions if they occurred before the policy's start date. Conditions like these that develop after you purchase a policy may be covered.
• Dental care and treatments. Dental care, such as routine cleanings or oral disease treatment are often excluded from cover. However, many insurers may offer coverage for these as an optional add-on.
• Elective procedures. These are treatments that aren't medically necessary to ensure the welfare of the pet, such as de-sexing.
• Breeding and pregnancy. Dog insurance policies are generally geared toward dog owners, not breeders, so any costs relating to breeding or pregnancy are usually not covered.
• Preventable diseases. Diseases that can be prevented with vaccines, such as parvovirus and heartworm are not covered. This is to encourage dog owners to vaccinate their animals to promote responsible pet ownership.
• Prescription diets. If your dog needs to follow a special diet or requires dietary supplements, you may not be able to get cover for these.
• Ambulance costs. Many policies do not include the cost to transport sick or injured pets during emergencies.

How to compare dog insurance in Australia

Comparing dog insurance can do more than just help you sniff out a paw-fect deal, it can also help you find the policy tailored to your dog's needs. Here are some of the policy features to compare when you start shopping around on policies:

• Level of coverage. Whether you're after accident-only or comprehensive cover, check the policy has what you're looking for. Depending on the breed and temperament of your dog, you may want specific things covered.
• Sublimits. Many insurers have a cap on the amount you can claim for certain injuries or illnesses. This can play a massive part in costs if your dog requires extensive treatment and your policy only covers up to a certain limit.
• Annual benefit limits. With every policy there is an annual benefit limit. This is the total amount of money you can be reimbursed every year. Many insurers offer annual benefits of around $10,000 and $20,000, though there are some that offer limits of up to $30,000.
• Reimbursement rate. This feature is crucial to compare as it determines the amount you will receive back for each claim. Reimbursement rates tend to sit between the 80% to 90% mark, with only few offering 100%.
• Excess. This is also important to check. Most of the time, insurers will let you select the amount of excess you want to pay, usually $100 - $300. The higher your excess, the lower your premiums.
• Restrictions. From certain breeds to conditions, there are many things pet insurers won't cover. Knowing what they are could mean the difference between having your claim approved or rejected.
• Intro offers. Many insurers offer introductory offers to new customers, like a free month, a discount off the first few months or getting back a percentage of your paid premiums after 12 months. Just make sure you're not blinded by the deal — consider the policy's overall value before signing up.

What is the cheapest and most expensive breed to insure?

From Cavoodles to Dachshunds, everyone's got their favourite dog breed. But is yours one of the most expensive breeds to insure?

To give you an overview of what an average policy may look like across different breeds, we crunched the numbers by averaging out the cost of insurance for 8 different male breeds at 1 and 5 years of age.

The cheapest breeds to insure

The most expensive breeds to insure

What influences the cost of dog insurance?

Just like no two dogs are the same, no two premiums are either. There are many factors that determine how much you will pay for your dog insurance policy, including:

• Age. Whether you're bringing home a new puppy or adopting an adult dog, it's recommended to get cover as soon as you can. This is because pet insurance premiums tend to increase the older the dog is, especially when it comes to illness cover.
• Breed. The type of dog breed you own carries different risk levels. For example, larger dogs are more prone to ligament injuries while pedigree breeds are more likely to have congenital health issues.
• Sex. Some insurers price policies differently based on whether your dog is male or female. This is because certain hereditary conditions may be present within one sex than another. For instance, prostate disease in males and mammary tumours in females.
• Location. Where you live can make your premiums higher or lower, not because your dog is "riskier" but because the cost of care and risks in that area are different.
• De-sexing. Having your pet de-sexed can make a big difference to your premium as the procedure reduces the risk of your pet contracting certain illnesses or displaying aggressive behaviours.

With so many factors that make up the cost of your dog insurance premium, it pays to shop around to get the best deal for your pup.

The pros and cons of dog insurance

5 tips before you buy dog insurance in Australia

1. Purchase cover as soon as you can. With pet insurance, the sooner you take out cover the better. You should be able to insure a dog from 8 weeks of age. This helps to prevent exclusions later on from pre-existing conditions.
2. Check the PDS. Before you sign up to a policy, read the PDS. Yes, the entire thing. It gives you a comprehensive look at what you'll be covered for (and what you're not).
3. Make sure the benefit limit isn't lower than a typical surgery. While no one can predict the future - and we hope you never have to make a claim - check the benefit limit for covered accident or illness to ensure the amount sufficiently fits the bill.
4. If your dog's already older, weigh up cost vs value. If your dog is older, it's worth considering if the juice is worth the squeeze, so to speak. It is more costly to insure an older dog, which means you may be paying considerably annually more compared to what the policy is actually worth.
5. Read reviews and ratings. If there's one thing Australians don't muck around with, it's their dogs. Read through previous customer reviews and experiences to learn about how well an insurer manages claims and customer service. Hint: You can also check out our Customer Satisfaction Award winners to find out which insurers Australians think are worth their weight in gold.

Frequently asked questions

• Is dog insurance worth it in Australia?

  Absolutely. No dog owner wants to think about something happening to their best friend - or find themselves in a position where they have to second guess medical care. Pet insurance makes it easy for you to give your dog the best care possible, without having to worry about cost. Recent Finder data shows that some clinics charge between $1,300 - $1,700 for day procedures and if you don't have these funds at your disposal, you may have to consider alternative solutions, like your credit card.

• How much is dog insurance per month in Australia?

  The cost of pet insurance depends on many factors, such as the breed of your dog. Notably, certain breeds are more expensive to insure than others, like dachshunds or pugs, because they are predisposed to certain health conditions. Age is also a big factor as premiums tend to increase and a dog ages. For instance, our data shows that a 1 year old female Staffordshire Bull Terrier had an average premium of $1,023.18, before jumping to $1,459.48 at 5 years old.

• What is the best age to insure a dog?

  As early as possible. It's generally a good idea to insure your dog when they are young and healthy. Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old and younger than 9 years when you first take out cover. Taking out cover within this timeframe ensures lifelong cover with your insurer. If your dog is over 9 years old, you can still purchase pet insurance, but you may be limited in terms of policies, so you'll want to consider senior pet insurance.

• What does dog insurance not cover?

  This will depend on the policy you have, as every insurer has their own set of exclusions. However, some of the most common dog insurance exclusions include:

  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Dental care and treatments (unless purchased as an optional add-on)
  • Elective procedures, like de-sexing
  • Breeding and pregnancy
  • Preventable diseases
  • Prescription diets
  • Ambulance costs

• Can I get insurance for an older dog?

  Yes. Even though the "cut off" for pet insurance is usually around 9 years of age for lifetime cover, dog owners can still get insurance for dogs over 9, though coverage may be limited and it's likely any pre-existing conditions won't be covered.

• Does dog insurance cover dental care?

  Yes, but only if you purchase it separately. Dental care and treatments are generally not covered with standard dog insurance policies. If you do want cover for dental care, you must add it onto your policy at the time of purchase.

Written by

Ceyda Erem

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 55 Finder guides across topics including:

• Insurance