Staffordshire bull terrier pet insurance

Do I need pet insurance for my staffy?

When it comes to insuring your dog, there are a few things to consider:

Is your dog predisposed to any specific conditions?

Staffies are known to be predisposed to a few medical problems.

• Hip dysplasia: This is a genetic condition for staffies, it occurs when the femur and pelvis grow at uneven rates and can result in arthritis. Maintaining a good weight is important to combat this.
• Skin allergies: Staffies are prone to having sensitive skin and this can be due to food or environmental factors.
• Cataracts and eye conditions: If left untreated, these can lead to blurry eyes or blindness. Regular check ups are important to keep an eye on these conditions.
• Patella luxation: This happens when the kneecap pops out of its groove, causing them to limp around. Long term, the staffy might need surgery to manage this, depending on the severity.
• Brachycephalic Syndrome: While not as bad as pugs, staffies do still have short muzzles which can make exercise difficult, particularly in hot weather.
• Deafness: Staffies with white coats are more predisposed to this than staffies with darker coats. While there's no cure, ongoing management to accommodate it is necessary.

Could you afford surgery out of pocket?

With these conditions in mind, it's important to consider if you could afford surgery out of pocket, should your staffy require it. Here's an idea of how much each surgery can cost. Keep in mind though, these prices are approximate and your actual cost will depend on your dog's condition and your vet.

• Hip dysplasia surgery: Costs vary between around $500 - $5,000.
• Skin allergies: These costs vary hugely because it depends on the severity of the condition and what kind of treatment is needed. It could be a case of switching food, in which case you'd avoid hefty vet bills.
• Cataracts: Costs are around $2,700–$3,200 per eye.
• Patella luxation surgery: Costs vary between $1,600 - $5,000.
• Brachycephalic syndrome: This is treated with a soft palate surgery and can cost between $1,500 and $1,850. However, note this is to address the primary problem of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. If your staffy is suffering other illnesses related to this, that can cost substantially more.
• Deafness: This one can't be cured.

What can pet insurance cover for a Staffordshire bull terrier?

What your pet insurance policy covers will come down to what level of cover you choose and the provider specifics. We've broken this down below.

Accidents, illnesses, and injuries – Coverage options for Staffordshire bull terriers

Coverage levels generally include:

• Basic coverage: Also known as 'essentials' or 'accident-only' cover, these basic policies are generally the cheapest option. They typically provide essential cover for accidents, such as snake bites or vehicle-related incidents. However, basic policies won't cover common staffy-specific health issues such as hip dysplasia, skin allergies or patella luxation. You'll need a higher tier of coverage for that.
• Mid-level coverage: Providers may label mid-level coverage differently, but these policies usually cover accidents, illnesses and injuries. This is a good option if you're wanting cover to include common conditions for Staffordshire Bull Terriers like skin allergies, hip dysplasia and joint issues such as patella luxation. Annual coverage limits typically range from around $12,000 to $30,000. Typically, the higher your annual limit, the higher your premium will be.
• Comprehensive or Elite coverage: This is the highest level of pet insurance available, offering extensive protection for accidents, illnesses and injuries, typically with higher annual limits. Comprehensive policies may also include routine care cover (which is normally an optional extra). This can cover preventive treatments such as vaccinations and dental cleanings.

Compare pet insurance options for your Staffordshire bull terrier

{"userFilters":[{"config":{"VALUES":"Yes, No"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FEATURES.ACCIDENTAL_INJURY"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Accidental Injury","order":1},{"config":{"VALUES":"Yes,No,Specified illnesses only, Yes (limited to 11 specified illness conditions)"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FEATURES.ILLNESS"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Illness","order":2},{"config":{"VALUES":"Yes,No"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FEATURES.HOSPITALISATION"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Hospitalisation","order":3},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"Alternative therapy, Hospitalisation, Medicine and drugs, Surgery, Lifetime cover, Unvaccinated pets"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FILTERS.COVERED_FOR"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Covered for:","order":4},{"config":{"VALUES":"$0 - $15000, $15000+"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FILTERS.MAXIMUM_YEARLY_BENEF"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Annual benefit limit","order":5},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"60%,65%,70%,75%,80%,85%,90%,100%"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FILTERS.REIMBURSEMENT_RATE"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Reimbursement rate","order":6},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"None, $0, $50, $75, $99, $100, $125, $150, $175, $200, $250, $300, $350, $450, $500, $600, $900"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FILTERS.EXCESS"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Excess","order":7},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"No,Optional,Yes"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FEATURES.ROUTINE_CARE"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Routine Care","order":8},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"Dog,Cat,Other"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FILTERS.TYPE_OF_PET"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Type of pet","order":9},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"14 days for Illness, 20 days for Illnesses, 21 days for Illnesses, 30 days for illness, 6 months for cruciate ligament, 2 days for accidental injuries, 0 days for accidental injuries, 90 days for cruciate ligament, 6 months for dental illness, 6 months for specified conditions, 6 months for optional behavioral problems, 1 day for injury, 14 days for pets under 1-year-old for optional dental illness, 6 months for pets 1-year-old and over for optional dental illness, 24 months for dental illness"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FILTERS.WAITING_PERIODS"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Waiting periods","order":10},{"config":{},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"FILTERS.MAXIMUM_AGE"},"dataType":"NUMBER","label":"Maximum age","order":11},{"config":{},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"GENERAL.PROVIDER_ID"},"dataType":"UUID","label":"Providers","order":12},{"config":{"VALUES":"0"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"UI_FILTER_COMPONENT","fieldCode":"FULL_MARKET"},"dataType":"FULL_MARKET","label":"More products"}],"niche":{"currencySymbol":"$","decimalPoint":".","decimalPlaces":"2","thousandsSeparator":",","filterBoundsMap":{"product.FEATURES.ACCIDENTAL_INJURY":null,"product.FEATURES.ILLNESS":null,"product.FEATURES.HOSPITALISATION":null,"product.FILTERS.COVERED_FOR":null,"product.FILTERS.MAXIMUM_YEARLY_BENEF":null,"product.FILTERS.REIMBURSEMENT_RATE":null,"product.FILTERS.EXCESS":null,"product.FEATURES.ROUTINE_CARE":null,"product.FILTERS.TYPE_OF_PET":null,"product.FILTERS.WAITING_PERIODS":null}},"prefilled":false,"experimental":false}

10 of 91 results

Finder Score	Accidental Injury	Illness	Maximum Yearly Benefit	Paralysis Tick Yearly Sub-Limit	Reimbursement rate	Reimbursement Rate
Promoted Finder Score 9.4 Excellent Budget Direct Plus Cover	Finder Score 9.4 Excellent			$25,000	$3,000	80%	80%	Apply online and get 15% off your first year's premium. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted Finder Score 8.8 Great Medibank Pet Max Cover with Extra Care	Finder Score 8.8 Great			$30,000	No sub-limit	90%	90%	Medibank members get 10% off and a $100 PetO e-voucher when they sign up with promo code PETO100 and maintain 90 days of continuous cover. Offer ends 16 Dec 2025. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted Finder Score 8 Great Bow Wow Meow Nose-to-Tail Cover	Finder Score 8 Great			$30,000	No sub-limit	90%	90%	Get your first 2 months free by using promo code: 2MFREE. Plus get a 10% multi pet discount. T&Cs apply.	Enjoy GapOnly claiming and complimentary use of myPetPass with 24/7 access to Live Vet Care. Also, policyholders are entitled to a free ID tag.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 8.3 Great Everyday Comprehensive Plus Cover	Finder Score 8.3 Great			$30,000	$3,000	80%	80%	Everyday Pet Insurance customers get 10% off their monthly Woolworths shop. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 7.1 Great Knose Pet Insurance Exclusive	Finder Score 7.1 Great			$25,000	$25,000	70%, 80% or 90%	70%, 80% or 90%	Finder exclusive: Get 10% off your first year's premium, using Finder's exclusive discount code: FINDER10. Plus get a 5% multi pet discount. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score Not scored yet Coles Ultimate Cover	Finder Score Not scored yet			$15,000	$3,500	80% or 100%	80% or 100%	Earn 10x Flybuys points per $1 spent on pet food at Coles Supermarkets, plus get a 5% multi-pet discount. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 8.9 Great Fetch Pet Insurance Finder Award	Finder Score 8.9 Great			$30,000	No sub-limit	80% or 90% or 100%	80% or 90% or 100%	Get free 24/7 vet support. T&Cs apply.	Get dental, physio and behaviour cover included and skip wait periods by following our in-app journey.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 8.3 Great Coles Ultimate Cover (with Dental + Routine Care)	Finder Score 8.3 Great			$40,000	$3,500	80% or 100%	80% or 100%	Earn 10x Flybuys points per $1 spent on pet food at Coles Supermarkets, plus get a 5% multi-pet discount. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 8.9 Great Vets Choice Elite Cover	Finder Score 8.9 Great			$15,000	$2,500	80%	80%	Get a 5% discount when you insure more than one pet. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 7.5 Great Guardian Platinum Accident & Illness Cover	Finder Score 7.5 Great			$12,000	$1,200	80%	80%	Lifetime cover for cats and dogs, up to 80% covered.	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading

loading

Load More

Showing 10 of 33 results

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.

Read the full methodology

How to choose the best pet insurance for your Staffy

There are a few factors to consider when choosing a pet insurance policy specifically for staffy. Product disclosure statements (PDS) can contain complicated terminology, so here's a simplified breakdown:

• Waiting periods: This is the required timeframe from starting your policy payments until you can make a claim. If your staffy needs immediate treatment for breed-specific issues like skin allergies or hip dysplasia, coverage typically won't apply until the waiting period ends. However, emergency incidents, such as snake bites or accidental injuries, are usually covered immediately or within one day of you taking out the policy.
• Reimbursement options: This refers to the portion of the vet bill that your insurer will cover. Typically, it ranges from 70% to 100% — the higher the percentage, the higher the premium.

  Some providers offer GapOnly claims, which allow you to pay only the difference (gap) between the veterinary bill and the insurance coverage at the time of service, eliminating the wait for reimbursement.

  Other insurers require full payment at the vet first, after which you'll submit a claim and receive reimbursement after approval.

• Annual limit: This is the maximum amount your insurer will pay each year. For example, if your policy has an annual limit of $30,000, you cannot claim more than this amount in one year. This could be a concern if you choose a lower annual limit, such as $12,000, but your staffy requires surgery or treatment costing more.
• Sub-limits: These are limits placed on specific treatments, separate from your overall annual limit. For instance, if there's a sub-limit of $3,000 for paralysis tick treatment and your staffy's treatment costs $5,000, you will need to pay the remaining $2,000 even if you haven't reached your annual limit.

So, what's actually important to look for in a policy?

• High annual limits: For potentially costly treatments, particularly anything requiring surgery.
• High or no sub-limits: Ensures comprehensive coverage for expensive treatments.
• High reimbursement rates: Covers more of your veterinary expenses. However, lower reimbursement rates may be preferable if budget constraints are a consideration.

Cost of pet insurance for Staffies in Australia

8 of 8 results

Updated regularly

Sample quote
Promoted Finder Score 9.4 Excellent Budget Direct Plus Cover	Sample quote $935.66	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted Finder Score 8.8 Great Medibank Pet Max Cover with Extra Care	Sample quote $2,047.67	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted Finder Score 8.9 Great Vets Choice Elite Cover	Sample quote $1,321.63	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 7.1 Great Knose Pet Insurance Exclusive	Sample quote $2,622.60	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 8.3 Great Coles Ultimate Cover (with Dental + Routine Care)	Sample quote $3,024.38	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Kogan Pet Luxury Cover	Sample quote $2,105.39	Continue View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Everyday Comprehensive Cover	Sample quote $1,506.25	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Australian Seniors Top Accident & Illness Cover	Sample quote $1,968.28	Get quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading

loading

Load More

Showing 8 of 8 results

Compare other products

We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:

How we picked these

• How we got these quotes

  _{Annual quotes are based are based on accident and illness plans from 9 Australian brands. We selected a $100 excess, wherever possible. Quotes were taken in July 2025 for a 5-year-old male Staffordshire bull terrier, desexed dog. The owner was 40 years old based in NSW, 2011 postcode. Prices are subject to change.}

FAQs

• How long do Staffordshire bull terriers live?

  The average Staffy lives to the age of 12 to 14 years.

• Is a Pitbull and the English Staffordshire Terrier the same thing?

  No. Staffordshire Bull Terriers and American Pitbull Terriers – commonly known as Pitbulls – are 2 distinct breeds.

• How much does pet insurance for a Staffordshire bull terrier cost?

  Our research shows that costs can vary, with the cheapest quote coming in around $53.20 and the most expensive quote costing $175.76. This is why it's important to compare providers to ensure you're getting the best value for money.

Written by

Peta Taylor

Publisher of Insurance

Peta Taylor is a publisher at Finder, working across all of insurance. She's been analysing product disclosure statements and publishing articles for over 2 years. Peta is passionate about demystifying complex insurance products to help users make well educated decisions with confidence. Peta is part of Finder's insurance awards team and works alongside editorial and insights experts to bring users the best insurance products every year. See full bio