Considering pet insurance? Insure your paws
If your fur baby ever faces unexpected sickness or injury, pet insurance can help ease the financial strain by covering a portion of eligible vet costs. Before you dive in, make sure the policy suits your pet and budget.
Pet insurance typically covers unexpected, larger vet bills rather than routine expenses like flea treatments or vaccinations. So, where should you start? Here’s a handy guide to help you navigate the options.
Key Factors to Think About
When choosing pet insurance, keep these in mind:
Your pet’s breed: their healthcare needs, and the cost of care
Types of policies available
Key features: like annual limits and extra benefits
Why does breed matter?
Every breed has its quirks when it comes to health. Understanding the common conditions your pet might face can make choosing the right policy much easier. For example, data from PetSure reveals that Golden Retrievers are prone to gastrointestinal issues, which could cost as much as $19,500 to treat.
Pick a policy that aligns with the care your pet might need and always review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand what’s covered.
What types of policies are available?
The Australian Government’s MoneySmart outlines several options for pet insurance, generally grouped into two categories:
Combined accident and illness cover: Covers eligible vet treatments for injuries and sickness.
Specified events policies: These focus on specific illnesses or injuries, such as for indoor cats or basic accident-only covers.
Compare policies carefully, checking both coverage and exclusions like pre-existing conditions.
What to watch out for
Annual benefit limit
This is the maximum you can claim in a year. For RACT together with petinsurance.com.au policies, limits range between $20,000 and $30,000 depending on your level of cover.
Sub-limits
Certain conditions like tick paralysis or hip dysplasia may have their own smaller limits, so check the fine print.
Benefit percentage
This is the portion of the vet bill you’ll be reimbursed. For example, RACT together with petinsurance.com.au policies usually refund 80% of eligible costs.
Excess
You’ll pay an excess (e.g. $0 to $500) before your insurance kicks in. Higher excess amounts can lower your premium.
Waiting periods
Policies often have waiting periods, such as two days for accidental injuries or 14–30 days for illnesses. Cruciate ligament conditions might have a 90–180-day waiting period.
Extra perks worth considering
We also offer added services to make life easier:
GapOnly®: Pay only the gap between the vet’s bill and your claimable amount, reducing upfront costs^
myPetPass™: Access to vet care directly from the pet portal, discounted pet prescription medication and savings on premium pet food#
Final tips
Take the time to compare policies, read the PDS, and weigh up the features and benefits. The right insurance can give you peace of mind knowing your furry friend is covered for life’s unexpected moments.
Happy researching—and here’s to many tail wags and purrs ahead!
Petinsurance.com.au policies entered into for the first time on or after 7 November 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s Authorised Representatives (AR) Pet Insurance Pty Ltd ABN 38 607 160 930, AR 1234944 (PIPL) and The Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania Limited ABN 62 009 475 861, AR 228578. Petinsurance.com.au policies entered into for the first time prior to 7 November 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436, arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by PIPL. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at petinsurance.com.au.
**This offer only applies to RACT members who purchase a new RACT together with Petinsurance.com.au Pet Insurance policy between 12:01am AEST on 1 September 2025 and 11:59pm AEST on 1 July 2026 (Offer Period). Offer provides RACT members with a 10% discount on their new RACT together with Petinsurance.com.au Pet Insurance Policy premiums each year, whilst the policy remains in force, with all premiums paid in full, and while you remain a RACT Member (Member Offer). For instalment payers, the Offer is applied proportionately across all instalment payments during each year you remain eligible for the Member Discount. For annual payers, the Offer is applied automatically to your annual premium amount each policy year that you remain eligible for the Member Discount. This Offer will also provide RACT members with 1 month free in their first policy year only when they purchase a new RACT together with Petinsurance.com.au Pet Insurance Policy during the Offer Period (1-Month Free Offer). Instalment payers will not be charged an instalment for the first month and instalments will be charged from the second month of your policy period. Annual payers will have the 1 month free deducted from the annual premium at the time of purchase. To enjoy the Member Offer and 1-Month Free Offer, you must provide the promotional code RACTMEM1MF10 and a valid RACT Member number at the time of purchase. Customers can remove this Offer at the time of purchase. Not available with any other offer except for the multi-pet discount for additional pets. Excludes RACT staff members. Both the Member Offer and the 1-Month Free Offer are subject to RACT together with Petinsurance.com.au Pet Insurance Policy T&C’s available https://www.ract.com.au/insurance-and-finance/pet-insurance . Eligibility criteria applies, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement. RACT together with Petinsurance.com.au reserves the right to withdraw, vary or extend these Offer’s at any time, without notice.
^The gap means the difference between the vet’s invoice and the eligible claim benefit under your policy. GapOnly® is a trademark owned by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure). Insurance products are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436 (Hollard) and/or PetSure (from 8 May 2023 only), administered by PetSure and promoted and distributed through their authorised representatives and distribution partners. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Cover is subject to policy terms and conditions. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing, or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available on our partners' websites. Meet our partners at petsure.com.au/partners.^Policy terms and conditions apply. GapOnly® is only available at participating vets. Please visit gaponly.com.au to search for GapOnly® enabled vets. GapOnly® is a trademark owned by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd (PetSure) (ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183).
#myPetPassTM is a rewards programme provided by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923 (PetSure). Available only to holders of active petinsurance.com.au policies. myPetPassTM perks are provided by PetSure and third-party suppliers and also subject to these third-party suppliers’ terms and conditions. myPetPassTM perks may be amended or withdrawn any time without notice. PetSure does not guarantee that any particular third-party providers will continue to participate in myPetPassTM through the offer or provision of perks, or that the myPetPassTM rewards programme or any myPetPassTM perks or features of myPetPassTM will continue to be available. Full Terms & Conditions available at mypetpass.com.au/terms.