How much is pet insurance?

The average monthly premium for pet insurance is $127. Find out how much it might cost you to insure your furry friend.

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Key takeaways

  • The average monthly premium for pet insurance across 24 Australian insurers is $127.
  • Your pet’s age, breed, size, and gender all affect the cost of pet insurance.
  • Finding and comparing policies is a great way to snag a deal and save money on pet insurance.

Pet insurance cost breakdown

Like other types of insurance, pet insurance costs depend on how likely you are to make a claim. For pets, this means how often they might need treatment or care. Insurers will typically take into account your pet’s age, breed, size, and gender, along with your chosen level of cover, to set your premium.

To give you an idea of pet insurance costs in 2024, we calculated the average monthly premiums from 24 top Australian insurers. Our prices were based on 140 total quotes for a mix of dogs and cats aged 2 and 6.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

  • The difference between the most and least expensive average policy was $92.
  • Budget Direct was the cheapest provider, with an average monthly premium of $42.
  • Medibank was the most expensive, with an average monthly premium of $134.
  • Just over 1 third of pet insurance policies had an average monthly cost of under $100.

What influences the cost of pet insurance?

There are several factors that impact the cost of pet insurance, these can include:

  • Age: Older pets are generally more costly to insure because they’re more likely to have health issues, such as arthritis or diabetes.
  • Breed: Some breeds, especially purebreds, are more likely to have certain health problems, making them more expensive to cover. Flat-nosed breeds like Pugs and English Bulldogs, for example, have a higher chance of having seizures.
  • Policy type: More cover generally means higher premiums. Basic policies only cover accidents, while more comprehensive plans cover a range of illnesses, preventative care, and sometimes even dental work.
  • Size: Larger pets may have higher premiums because they require more medication and larger doses, and their treatment may be more complex.
  • Location: Vet costs can be quite different from region to region. If you live in an area with a higher cost of living or fewer vets, your bills may be more expensive, which can prompt insurers to increase your premiums.
  • Gender: Sometimes gender affects costs due to higher health risks and their unique anatomy. For instance, male dogs can be more prone to aggression and reproductive health issues. Vet prices can also be quite different for reproductive health treatments like desexing.
  • Cover limits and excess: Policies with higher annual payout limits offer greater protection as a pet owner, but this does come with a cost. Opting for a lower excess – what you pay out of pocket to claim a benefit – will usually result in higher premiums because the insurer assumes more risk.

What does pet insurance cover?

Depending on the type of pet insurance you choose, you’ll get a range of different inclusions in your policy. Most basic level policies will only cover accidental injuries and illness, while generally, you’ll see the following things included in comprehensive pet insurance:

  • Specified accidental injury cover: Things like broken bones, poisonings and ACL ruptures.
  • Behavioural therapy: Issues like aggression or excessive barking.
  • Chronic illnesses: Like arthritis or diabetes. Coverage for chronic illnesses typically only applies if they develop after your pet is insured.
  • Common illness: Ear infections, skin irritations, and urinary tract infections.
  • Prescription medication: For example, regular ear worm medication or more complex treatments like antibiotics.
  • Serious illness: Such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes.
  • Testing and diagnostics: Like X-rays, MRIs and more.

While comprehensive pet insurance won’t cover every possible illness and injury, there are a number of optional extras on offer if you’d like to extend your cover. These include:

  • Dental care: Such as teeth cleaning and dental illnesses including gingivitis, abscesses, and tooth extractions.
  • Routine care cover: Preventative care such as vaccinations, flea and tick treatments, and health checkups. Insurers will have a limit of up to around $150 to $2,000 you can claim per year.
  • Emergency pet boarding: Pays for the accommodation fees if your pet is hospitalised or needs emergency boarding.
  • Travel insurance: Covers vet expenses if your pet gets sick or injured while travelling with you.

Keep in mind these inclusions are just a guide. What is and isn’t covered by your pet insurance will depend on the individual policy you choose. It’s important to carefully review and understand the product disclosure statement (PDS) provided by your insurer to know the exact cover details and exclusions

How to save money on your pet insurance policy

Pet insurance doesn’t always come cheap, and it can get even more expensive as the years go on. This is especially true for Australians, as according to major pet insurance underwriter PetSure, pet insurance premiums grow around 20% per year.

If you’re looking to save money on your pet insurance, here are 6 ways you can lower the cost of your policy.

  1. Shop around: It seems obvious, but one of the best ways to save on pet insurance is to compare policies. Pet insurance is a competitive industry, and researching thoroughly can help you find a policy that offers the best value for you and your pet’s needs.
  2. Switch to annual payments: If it fits your budget, paying premiums as an annual lump sum can often make things cheaper overall. Some insurers will charge extra to make monthly payments or offer discounts if you pay annually.
  3. Start from young: Taking out pet insurance will be cheaper to start, but will naturally increase as your pet gets older. This strategy can help keep your pet’s health over time, potentially reducing future claims. By doing so, more conditions may be covered later on, as they won’t be classified as ‘pre-existing’ by your insurer.
  4. Adjust your cover: If your pet is healthy and in good shape, it can be worth reducing your cover or choosing another policy that better aligns with their needs. Opting for a basic policy over a comprehensive one can significantly lower your premiums.
  5. Increase your excess: Agreeing to a higher excess will generally reduce your premiums, as you take on more of the upfront costs when making a claim. You’ll need to have funds set aside to pay for this if an emergency or something unexpected happens.
  6. Sign up discounts: Certain providers will offer discounts on pet insurance if you’re a new customer, if you buy your policy online, or if you’re an existing member through another insurance policy. This can save you a significant amount of money on the cost of your pet insurance.

Pet insurance deals

Store Discount

Get your 1st month’s premium free

When you chews Medibank Pet Insurance. Sign up using promo code FINDERONE. Offer ends 16 December 2024. T&Cs apply.

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Get deal
Exclusive

Deal ends

10% discount for Medibank members

Save 10% off on pet insurance if you have health insurance through Medibank.

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Get 10% off your pet insurance premiums

Get 10% off of the first year. Lower prices for lower risk pets. T&Cs apply.

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Exclusive

Get 10% off your groceries at Woolworths

Everyday Insurance customers who scan their Everyday Rewards card can receive 10% off their Woolworths shop once per month. T&Cs apply.

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Enjoy 2 months of free pet insurance

When you buy a new policy online and link your Everyday Rewards Card. T&Cs and limits apply.

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Deal ends

30% off your first month of pet insurance

Includes a custom pet tag. T&Cs apply.

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Exclusive

Save up to 15% when you buy Budget Direct Pet Insurance online

Get 15% off on your first year’s premium when you buy online. T&Cs apply.

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Get your first month free

Apply for a PD pet insurance policy online for your dog or cat and get your first month free. T&Cs apply.

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Get 2 months free (for pets under 1 year old)

OR 1 month free (for pets over 1 year old) with promo code FINDER2MF. T&Cs apply.

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Get 2 months free

When you purchase Kogan Pet Insurance. Sign up using promo code BARKFRIDAY. Offer ends 15 December 2024. T&Cs apply.

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Deal ends

First month free

Get 1 month free for the first year of new policies, applied across the year.

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Get free pet insurance for the first 3 months

Get 3 months' free pet insurance when you sign up for cover with Pet Insurance Australia.

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Coupon code ends

Get your first 2 months free

Enjoy GapOnly® claiming and access to 24/7 live vet. Use promo code 2MFREE. T&Cs apply

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Get 10% of premiums back in the first 12 months

Receive 10% of premiums you’ve paid in the first 12 months with The Real Reward program.

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10% off if you're over 50

If you're over 50 years old, get 10% off your policy.

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FAQs

Cameron Thach's headshot
Written by

Insurance Content Writer

Cameron is the local insurance scholar at Finder. With a diverse background writing in independent education, web-3, and finance, his mission is to build helpful content and that speaks to readers in language they understand. See full bio

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6 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    JudyFebruary 20, 2019

    What is the best cover for an 8 year old Labradoodle Desexed?

      AvatarFinder
      JeniFebruary 21, 2019Finder

      Hi Judy,

      Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

      Kindly check out this page to start comparing your insurance options for your pet Labradoodle. You may compare insurers by looking at the features column of the table. I suggest that you select the ones that say no maximum age limit for illness cover.

      According to our pet insurance review page, insurance for younger dogs and cats is easy enough to find. Due to the high likelihood of illness, you’ll find that most funds won’t cover older pets in their comprehensive plans. However, many funds cover senior pets under their more “basic” levels of cover.

      I hope this helps.

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

    Default Gravatar
    MaryApril 16, 2015

    What is the best policy for a small Tibetan Spaniel. 6 months old.

      AvatarFinder
      RichardApril 16, 2015Finder

      Hi Mary,

      Thanks for your question.

      Currently, we only have one pet insurer in our panel, Woolworths Pet Insurance. The good news is, they do provide cover for Tibetan Spaniels. Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.

      I hope this was helpful,
      Richard

    Default Gravatar
    angelaJanuary 13, 2015

    What is the annual health insurance cost for a small pomeranian dog.

      AvatarFinder
      RichardJanuary 14, 2015Finder

      Hi Angela,

      Thanks for your question. If you would like to receive a quote for pet insurance, please refer to our Woolworths Pet insurance comparison table.

      I hope this was helpful,
      Richard

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