RSPCA Pet Insurance Review

Pros

• No excess to pay, unlike with many other insurers.
• It comes with an annual limit of $20,000 – the standard among most insurers on Finder is $15,000.
• Supports GapOnly, allowing you to pay only the “gap” at participating vets instead of the full bill upfront.

Cons

• Its $20,000 annual benefit isn't quite market-leading. A handful of insurers including Petsy, Knose and Everyday offer more.
• It pays 80%, which is standard, though some insurers will pay you more.
• No option to raise excess, which can make the premium higher than other insurers.

Compare pet insurance from RSPCA

What do Australians think of RSPCA pet insurance brand?

• 4.39/5 overall for Customer Satisfaction - higher than the average of 4.15, and this was the highest score in the category
• 4.74/5 for Trust - higher than the average of 4.39, and this was the highest score in the category
• 4.4/5 for Customer Service - higher than the average of 4.16, and this was the highest score in the category

Based on RSPCA pet insurance brand scores in Finder's 2024 & 2025 Customer Satisfaction Awards.

RSPCA pet insurance costs

To help give you an idea about costs for RSPCA pet insurance, we gathered quotes for a few of Australia's favourite dog breeds. Just remember, prices are going to change based on things like your own dog's breed, age and your address, so it's always worth comparing policies and getting a few quotes.

• See how we got these annual prices

  • Pet: 5-year-old dog
  • Breed: Dachshund, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Greyhound
  • DOB: 1 June 2020
  • Sex: Male
  • Policy: Ultimate Plus, Ultimate, General & Economy Accident and Illness Cover

  • 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.

Why choose RSPCA pet insurance?

• No excess on any plan. You won't have to pay a fixed out-of-pocket fee when you make an eligible claim.
• GapOnly payments. Claim on the spot at participating vets so you only pay the difference between the bill and your benefit.
• Overseas travel cover. Coverage for eligible vet expenses incurred while traveling with your pet in New Zealand and Norfolk Island.

What’s not covered?

• Pre-existing conditions
• Dental care
• Preventative / routine items
• Certain treatments and conditions
• Certain services and procedures
• Elective treatments and procedures
• Your pet not being protected
• Any consequential loss
• Expenses in relation to policy exclusions or related complications/adverse reactions of an exclusion

How to make a claim

• Existing members. Please log in and submit your claim via the following steps.
• Invoices and notes. Upload a copy of both the itemised invoice and the consultation notes from your vet visit.
• Medical history. For your first claim, provide your pet’s full medical history from all previous vets since you first owned your pet.
• Adoption records. If your pet was adopted at an older age, supply adoption paperwork and medical records since adoption.
• New member registration. If you are a new member, please sign up to manage your policy online.

RSPCA pet insurance frequently asked questions

• How much of my vet bills are covered?

  Under Ultimate Accident & Illness Cover and Ultimate Plus Accident & Illness Cover, 80% of your eligible vet bills will be covered. This figure drops to 75% under Economy Accident & Illness Cover. 60% of your eligible vet bills are covered for General Accident & Illness Cover.

• What additional cover options are there with RSPCA?

  If you'd like to take out an increased level of cover for your furry friend, the routine care option may offer the protection you desire. This includes:

  • a year for heartworm test or blood screen
  • FeLV/FIV test or urinalysis – a year
  • a annual benefit for one of the following routine treatments: desexing, microchipping, preventative heartworm medication, teeth cleaning, vaccinations, dewclaw removal, council registration fees, prescription diets, alternative therapies, health checks.

• Will I have to pay an excess with RSPCA?

  No, there is $0 excess you will have to pay when making a claim. However, you should be aware that each claim will pay up to the maximum percentage for each eligible vet bill.

• What waiting period do I need to serve with RSPCA?

  There is no waiting period for injuries, a 30-day waiting period for all illnesses and a 6-month waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions.