Available as standalone cover or a home insurance add-on.
Policies cover 80% of eligible vet bills, up to $12,000 a year.
New policies are restricted to pets aged between 8 weeks and nine years.
Pros
A discount of up to 5% is available if you hold three or more qualifying RACQ insurance policies.
Policyholders gain access to the RACQ member program, providing discounts on fuel, dining, and retail.
Pet owners can apply for a waiver to reduce the standard 6-month waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions.
Cons
The annual benefit limit is capped at $12,000 , which is lower than many premium market alternatives.
Excess may be applied to each separate condition treated within a policy year, rather than once per year.
Pets cannot be enrolled in a new policy once they have reached 9 years of age.
How does RACQ pet insurance compare?
Compare other products
We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked these
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.
RACQ pet insurance includes the following structural features and coverage parameters:
Reimbursement and annual limits. The policy covers 80% of eligible veterinary costs for accidents and illnesses, with a maximum annual claim limit of $12,000 per pet.
Excess options. Policyholders can select an excess of $0, $100, or $200. The chosen amount is deducted from the claim reimbursement.
Member discounts and benefits. RACQ offers a $50 discount per pet for new policies purchased online. Existing members receive tiered premium discounts based on their membership level (Bronze 5%, Silver 7.5%, Gold 10%). Additionally, policyholders gain access to the broader RACQ member benefits program, which includes discounts at various retail and fuel outlets.
Veterinary freedom. Claims are accepted for treatment provided by any licensed and registered veterinarian operating within Australia.
Emergency boarding. The policy includes up to annually for licensed boarding fees if the sole policyholder is hospitalised for five or more consecutive days and no other household member can care for the pet.
Optional preventative care. An optional "Tender Loving Care" (TLC) add-on provides up to $100 per year for routine expenses like vaccinations, microchipping, de-sexing, and teeth cleaning.
Interstate and overseas travel. Coverage extends to pets traveling with their owners in New Zealand and Norfolk Island for up to 60 days.
We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked these
Pet: 5-year-old dog
Breed: Dachshund, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Greyhound
DOB: 1 June 2020
Sex: Male
Quotes updated in July 2025
Desexed: Yes
Excess: $100
Owner's DOB: 1 May 1985
Address: New South Wales, 2011
Prices will differ based on a few criteria, including:
The gender, breed and age of your pet
The level of cover you choose
Your excess
Your location
If your pet is desexed.
What exclusions are there?
After-hours treatment and home visits, unless your vet deems it to be a medical emergency
Alternative therapies, training and behavioural therapy, except as covered by the Tender Loving Care option
Ambulance transport and non-essential hospitalisation
Any course of treatment that conflicts with your vet's recommendations
Banned or restricted dog breeds and crossbreeds will not be insured, and neither will any dog listed as dangerous by a government authority
Deliberate harm, illegal activities and negligence, including failure to apply preventative treatment for fleas and worms
Dental care
Diseases caused by fleas, worms and other parasites (except for paralysis ticks)
Elective treatments and selected conditions including a dislocating kneecap
Emergency boarding if someone living with you can reasonably look after your pet, or if you are going into hospital for an elective procedure
Essential euthanasia, if it is necessitated by one of the conditions for which you are not covered
Genetic testing, transplants and devices such as pacemakers or artificial joints
Infectious diseases such as Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) and kennel cough, unless all your pet's vaccinations are up to date
Injury, loss or damage caused by your pet to your property or anyone else's property
Ordinary day-to-day care, including vitamins, grooming and accessories
Pre-existing conditions
Pregnancy and obstetrics
If you use your pet for commercial or occupational purposes, such as racing or hunting
How do I make a claim?
You can submit your claim online through the My RACQ portal. Follow these steps for a prompt assessment:
Log in. Access your My RACQ account from any device. From your insurance dashboard, select the specific pet insurance policy you are claiming against.
Start your claim. Select the "Make a claim" or "Start my claim" option. If you need to stop partway through, you can save your progress and resume the form later.
Upload documentation. Attach your original itemised invoices or receipts. If this is your first claim, you will also need to provide your pet’s full vet history and any applicable clinical notes.
Provide details. Enter the treatment date and answer the guided questions regarding your pet's visit, the reason for treatment, and your current contact and bank details.
Review and submit. Review your information to ensure all details are accurate, then click submit to send your claim to the assessment team.
Frequently asked questions about RACQ pet insurance
No. You automatically become a member by taking out a policy. This means you also become eligible for all the perks that come with membership, such as discounts on movie tickets and car batteries.
Yes, although you may be charged an annual "pay by the month" fee. Any percentage discounts that apply to your premiums will not be deducted from this fee.
Yes. You have a cooling-off period of 21 days from when your policy starts, or from midnight on your renewal date, to cancel your policy without charge. If you have made a claim within that time, you will not be eligible for free cancellation.
Yes. RACQ policies are valid for any licensed vet in Australia.
If your pet shows no clinical signs or symptoms of a curable condition for 18 months after making a full recovery, you can apply to have cover for this condition reinstated. You will need to provide suitable documentation from your vet to support your application.
You can't purchase a new policy after your pet reaches nine years of age. You also have to wait until it's weeks old to get cover. You can continue to cover your pet for its lifetime as long as the policy commences prior to your pet's ninth birthday and you renew it without any breaks.
Alexandra Koster was Finder's publisher for car, home and pet insurance. She has a Tier 1 certification in General Insurance, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Cultural Studies from the University of Sydney. Her hobbies include reading Product Disclosure Statements and deciphering complicated insurance lingo to help people save on their insurance so that they can spend their money on better things – like dogs.
See full bio
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