Australia · General information
Pet insurance in Australia
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Refer Labs is an independent Australian comparison publisher. We compare services on public pricing, eligibility, inclusions, trade-offs, availability in Australia and suitability. Commercial relationships may exist and are disclosed, but rankings are not paid placements.
Pet insurance helps with the cost of vet care for accidents and illness. Policies differ a lot on what they cover, waiting periods, exclusions, excess and annual limits, so the detail that matters is in each insurer's Product Disclosure Statement. This page is general information to help you understand the terms, plus current offers we can refer you to. It is not advice and not a recommendation.
2 months freeNew customers: 2 months free on Knose pet insurance
Use the code referlab2mf through our link. Cover, waiting periods, exclusions and limits are in Knose's PDS, so get a quote to see what would apply to your pet.
Three cover levelsPetsOnMe publishes its cover levels openly: Accidental ($5,000 annual limit), Classic ($10,000, with hereditary conditions to $2,300 a year) and Deluxe ($20,000, hereditary to $3,800 and select dental to $500). All three pay 80% of the eligible vet bill less a $100, $200 or $300 excess. Underwritten by Pacific International Insurance.
The code. REFERLABS upgrades the discount on PetsOnMe's pet care services, such as walking, minding and grooming, from 12% to 15%. It is a discount on those services, not on the insurance premium.
Weighing them up? See Knose vs PetsOnMe side by side, or our guide to choosing pet insurance, which sets out the six things that decide what you actually get back.
General information, not financial advice
Refer Labs is not an insurer, broker or financial adviser, and nothing here is a recommendation or personal financial advice. We provide general information and refer you to the provider. We may receive a commission or referral fee if you take up an offer through our links, at no extra cost to you. Whether a policy suits you depends on your own circumstances, so read the provider's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before deciding.
What pet policies differ on
These are the things to read and compare in any insurer's PDS. They are explained here so the terms are clear, not to steer you toward any particular policy.
Cover type
Policies range from accident-only, to accident and illness, to more comprehensive cover that may include optional routine-care add-ons. What is and isn't included is set out in each insurer's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
Waiting periods
Most policies apply a waiting period before you can claim, which can differ for accidents, illnesses and specific conditions. The exact periods are in the PDS.
Exclusions
Pre-existing conditions are commonly excluded, and other exclusions vary by insurer. Read the PDS to see what a policy will not pay for.
Excess and benefit percentage
Many policies let you choose an excess, and reimburse a percentage of the eligible vet bill. Both affect your premium and what you get back.
Annual and sub-limits
Cover is usually capped by an annual limit, and sometimes by sub-limits for particular conditions. These caps determine the most a policy can pay in a year.
Common questions
Is Refer Labs recommending a pet insurance policy?
No. Refer Labs is not an insurer, broker or financial adviser. We provide general information and refer you to the provider. Nothing on this page is a recommendation or personal financial advice, and whether a policy suits you depends on your own circumstances.
What does pet insurance generally cover?
It depends entirely on the policy. Cover can range from accidents only, to accidents and illness, to more comprehensive options with optional routine-care add-ons. Waiting periods, exclusions (such as pre-existing conditions), excess, benefit percentages and annual limits all vary. The insurer's Product Disclosure Statement sets out exactly what is and isn't covered.
How does Refer Labs make money from this page?
We may receive a commission or referral fee if you take up an offer through our links, at no extra cost to you. This does not change what we publish, and we do not provide advice or recommend any policy.
What should I read before buying pet insurance?
Read the insurer's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD), and get a quote for your specific pet, so you can see the cover, waiting periods, exclusions, excess and limits that would apply. Consider your own circumstances before deciding.
How much does pet insurance cost per month in Australia?
Premiums vary widely by species, breed, age, location and the level of cover, so there is no single figure. Cats generally cost less than dogs, accident-only cover is the cheapest tier, and premiums usually rise as a pet gets older. The only accurate number is a quote for your specific pet.
What age should I insure my pet, and is there an age limit?
Insurers set their own minimum age, often around eight weeks, and many apply an upper age limit for taking out a new policy, particularly for illness cover. Insuring a pet while it is young and healthy means fewer conditions are later treated as pre-existing. Once a pet is insured, policies are generally renewable as it ages.
Is pet insurance worth it?
That depends on your finances and how you would handle a large, unexpected vet bill, which can run into thousands for surgery or serious illness. Insurance trades a known premium for help with those costs, after any excess and exclusions. Some owners self-fund by saving instead. Your own situation decides it; this is general information, not advice.
Is pet insurance tax deductible in Australia?
For a family pet, generally no. Pet insurance and vet bills are treated as a private expense. Costs may be deductible only where an animal genuinely helps earn income, such as a working farm dog, and the ATO applies its own tests. This is general information, not tax advice.
General information, not financial advice
Refer Labs is not an insurer, broker or financial adviser, and nothing here is a recommendation or personal financial advice. We provide general information and refer you to the provider. We may receive a commission or referral fee if you take up an offer through our links, at no extra cost to you. Whether a policy suits you depends on your own circumstances, so read the provider's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before deciding.