Pet insurance for dogs in Australia: what to compare
Updated 2026-10-16. General information, not veterinary advice.
General information only, not financial or insurance advice. Read each insurer’s Product Disclosure Statement and consider speaking with a licensed adviser. Ask your vet about likely costs for your dog’s breed.
Vet bills can be large and unexpected, so many new owners consider pet insurance. We do not sell insurance, rank insurers or recommend a provider. Here is what to compare.
The main things to compare
- Type of cover. Accident-only, accident and illness, or ongoing care. The scope differs between policies.
- Annual and per-condition limits. Is there a yearly cap or a lifetime cap for a condition?
- Benefit percentage. The share of the vet bill the insurer pays.
- Excess. What you pay on each claim, and whether it is per claim or per year.
- Waiting periods. When cover starts for accidents, illness and any specific conditions.
- Exclusions. Look for pre-existing conditions, hereditary and breed-related conditions, dental, routine care and desexing.
- Premium changes. How premiums change as your dog ages and how often they are reviewed.
- Claims process. How you claim and how long it typically takes.
Practical tips
- Compare quotes for the same dog, postcode and cover, side by side.
- Insure early if you can, because conditions that appear before cover starts are commonly excluded.
- Keep records from your first vet visits. See preparing for a vet visit.
- Think about a savings buffer as an alternative or addition.
- Breeds differ in health risks, so ask your vet or breeder what is common for yours. See our breed hubs.
Related
Budgeting for a new dog? See the new puppy checklist and desexing basics.
We do not currently list or link to any insurer. If that changes we will say so on our disclosure page.
Related reading: See also vaccination overview.
FAQs
Is pet insurance worth it?
It depends on your budget and risk tolerance. Compare the premium with what you could pay from savings in an emergency, and read the policy terms carefully.
What is a waiting period?
The time after you buy a policy before cover starts for some claims. It varies by insurer and condition, so check the product disclosure statement.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
Policies commonly exclude conditions your dog had before cover began. Check how the insurer defines this.
Do premiums rise with age?
Premiums commonly change with age, breed and location. Check how each insurer sets and reviews premiums.