Finding the best pet insurance in Australia for your furry friend can be tricky. It’s a minefield of options, exclusions, and conditions. To help you find the right policy for your pet, we’ve compiled a list of the best pet insurance companies in Australia based on our reviews.
We looked at various factors, including cover options, excesses, waiting periods, and customer reviews, to find the best pet insurance policies on the market. So, whether you’re looking for comprehensive cover for your dog or cat or just want to ensure your pet against accidental damage, we’ve got you covered.
Or, if you want to learn more about how to find the best policy for your pet, read on for our comprehensive guide to pet insurance in Australia.
A Quick Glance at Our Winners for 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
BowWowMeow Pet Insurance
Offers a range of policies to suit your needs
Competitively priced
No waiting periods
Click to Get Quote
Best Value
Petsy
Tailored policies for each individual pet
Wide range of policy options
Great value for money
Click to Get Quote
Knose
Wide range of policy options
Low excesses
Great customer service
Click to Get Quote
Pet Insurance Australia
Wide range of policy options
Competitively priced
Great customer service
Click to Get Quote
Coles Pet Insurance
Affordable cover
Simple and straightforward policies
Offered by a household name
Click to Get Quote
The Best 5 Pet Insurance Plans in Australia
- BowWowMeow Pet Insurance – Best Overall
Compare BowWowMeow PlansBowWowMeow Pet Insurance is one of the best pet insurance companies in Australia. They offer a range of policies to suit your needs, and their policies are competitively priced.
They also have a range of features, including cover for vet bills, medication, boarding, and more. And there are no waiting periods on their policies, so you can claim immediately if your pet needs treatment.
Compare BowWowMeow Plans
BowWowMeow Pet Insurance is one of the best pet insurance companies in Australia. They offer a range of policies to suit your needs, and their policies are competitively priced.
Like many other pet insurance companies, BowWowMeow offers multiple plans with different levels of coverage to suit your budget and needs.
They also have a range of options when it comes to excesses, so you can choose the one that best suits your situation.
Customers especially praise this company for its stellar customer service, but some have noted that its policies can be a bit confusing to understand, and older pets are turned away for new policies.
Pros
Offers a range of policies to suit your needs
Competitively priced
No waiting periods
Great customer service
Cons
Policies can be confusing to understand
Does not accept new cover for pets over 8 years old
- Petsy – Best Value
Compare Petsy PlansWhat we like about Petsy is there is something for every pet, every owner, and every budget. Petsy has a wide variety of pet insurance policies on offer and tailors each policy to your individual pet.
This means you’re not paying for cover that your pet will never use, making it great value for money. Petsy is one of the most affordable pet insurers we’ve found.
Offers a range of policies to suit your needs
Competitively priced
No waiting periods
Great customer service
- Offers a range of policies to suit your needs
- Competitively priced
- No waiting periods
- Great customer service
Policies can be confusing to understand
Does not accept new cover for pets over 8 years old
- Policies can be confusing to understand
- Does not accept new cover for pets over 8 years old
Compare Petsy Plans
What we like about Petsy is there is something for every pet, every owner, and every budget. Petsy has a wide variety of pet insurance policies on offer and tailors each policy to your individual pet.
One downside of Petsy is that they only cover cats and dogs, so if you’re looking for insurance for your rabbit or reptile, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Petsy has a horde of excellent reviews from happy customers who say that this company is easy to deal with and offers great customer service.
Pros
Tailored policies for each individual pet
Wide range of policy options
Great value for money
Cons
Only covers cats and dogs
3. Knose
Compare Knose PlansKnose is a great option for pet insurance, as they have a wide range of policies to suit your needs. They also have some of the lowest excesses on the market, which can save you money if you need to make a claim.
One downside of Knose is that they do not cover any pre-existing conditions, so if your pet is already ill, you won’t be able to claim. However, Knose Pet Insurance does cover a wide range of other conditions, including accidents, illnesses, hospitalization, and more.
Tailored policies for each individual pet
Wide range of policy options
Great value for money
- Tailored policies for each individual pet
- Wide range of policy options
- Great value for money
Only covers cats and dogs
- Only covers cats and dogs
Compare Knose Plans
Knose is a great option for pet insurance, as they have a wide range of policies to suit your needs. They also have some of the lowest excesses on the market, which can save you money if you need to make a claim.
Customers say that Knose is easy to deal with and offers great customer service. Some have noted that claims can be slow to process, but this is often the case with pet insurance companies.
Pros
Wide range of policy options
Low excesses
Great customer service
Cons
Does not cover pre-existing conditions
The claims process is slow and confusing
- Pet Insurance Australia
Compare Pet Insurance Australia PlansPet Insurance Australia is a great option for those looking for comprehensive cover for their pet. They have a wide range of policies to suit your needs and offer some of the most competitive prices on the market.
One downside of Pet Insurance Australia is that they have a lot of exclusions on their policies, so it’s important to read the fine print before you buy.
Wide range of policy options
Low excesses
Great customer service
- Wide range of policy options
- Low excesses
- Great customer service
Does not cover pre-existing conditions
The claims process is slow and confusing
- Does not cover pre-existing conditions
- The claims process is slow and confusing
Compare Pet Insurance Australia Plans
Pet Insurance Australia is a great option for those looking for comprehensive cover for their pet. They have a wide range of policies to suit your needs and offer some of the most competitive prices on the market.
However, customers say that Pet Insurance Australia is easy to deal with and offers great customer service. They’re 100% Australian-owned and have won a great deal of official consumer recommendations.
Pros
Wide range of policy options
Competitively priced
Great customer service
Cons
Exclusions on policies Policies can be confusing to understand
5. Coles Pet Insurance
Compare Coles Pet PlansMost Australians will recognize the household name Coles, but it may surprise you that they also offer pet insurance. If you’re looking for a simple, affordable cover, then Coles could be the insurer for you.
Coles pet insurance offers three different levels of cover to suit your needs. There are no fancy bells or whistles, no mirrors and smoke, just simple pet insurance that does the job.
Wide range of policy options
Competitively priced
Great customer service
- Wide range of policy options
- Competitively priced
- Great customer service
Exclusions on policies Policies can be confusing to understand
- Exclusions on policies
- Policies can be confusing to understand
Compare Coles Pet Plans
Most Australians will recognize the household name Coles, but it may surprise you that they also offer pet insurance. If you’re looking for a simple, affordable cover, then Coles could be the insurer for you.
However, if you are looking for specific cover for complicated issues, you may want to look into a provider with more comprehensive policies. It specifically excludes breeding-related issues, so if you have a pedigree pet this may not be the policy for you.
Pros
Affordable cover
Simple and straightforward policies
Offered by a household name
Cons
Limited coverage options
Doesn’t cover breeding related issues
Affordable cover
Simple and straightforward policies
Offered by a household name
- Affordable cover
- Simple and straightforward policies
- Offered by a household name
Limited coverage options
Doesn’t cover breeding related issues
- Limited coverage options
- Doesn’t cover breeding related issues
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance Plan in Australia
There are a few key things to look for when you’re shopping for pet insurance. Make sure you compare apples with apples and get quotes from a few different providers.
Policy Coverage
The first thing to look at is what each policy covers. Some policies will cover more than others, so it’s important to find one that suits your needs. For example, if you’re looking for cover for a pre-existing condition, make sure the policy you’re considering covers this.
Make sure you compare policies from different providers and read the fine print so that you know exactly what you’re getting.
Customer Service & Reputation
It’s important to find an insurer with a good reputation for customer service. You don’t want to be stuck dealing with a company that is difficult to contact or doesn’t respond to queries in a timely manner.
It’s also worth reading reviews of pet insurance companies. This can give you an idea of what other customers have experienced and whether they would recommend the company to others.
Claim Repayment
When you make a claim, you want to be sure that you will be reimbursed in a timely manner. This can vary from company to company, so it’s worth checking before you buy.
Some companies also have a waiting period for claims, so make sure you’re aware of this before you purchase a policy.
Look at the excesses, co-payments, and premium costs to make sure you’re getting a good deal. It’s also worth considering whether the policy offers any discounts. For example, some policies will offer a discount.
Price of Policy
Of course, you’ll also want to consider the price of the policy when you’re comparing providers. However, it’s important to remember that the cheapest policy may not always be the best value for money.
Make sure you compare the features and benefits of each policy before you decide based on price.
Plan Customization
Some pet insurance policies can be customized to suit your needs, while others are more basic. If you’re looking for a policy that covers a specific condition or offers other special features, make sure the provider you’re considering offers this.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on your individual circumstances. If you have a pet that is prone to illness or injury, or you live in an area with a high risk of accidents, then pet insurance may be worth considering.
However, if your pet is healthy and you’re not concerned about the risk of accidents, then you may not feel that pet insurance is necessary. It’s important to compare different policies and providers.
What is a Waiting Period for Pet Insurance?
A waiting period is the length of time that you have to wait before you can make a claim on your pet insurance policy. This can vary from company to company but is usually between 2-8 weeks.
Make sure you’re aware of the waiting periods for different policies before you purchase one.
Can I Get Pet Insurance When My Pet Has a Pre-Existing Condition?
This depends on the insurer. Some companies will not cover pre-existing conditions, while others may offer limited coverage. It’s important to read the fine print of any policy you’re considering before you purchase it.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
This varies from policy to policy, so it’s important to compare policies before you decide. Some policies will cover more than others, so make sure you find one that suits your needs.
For example, some policies will cover routine vet bills, while others may also cover the cost of kenneling or boarding if you have to go to the hospital.
What the Users Say
Most pet insurance reviews are positive. Customers appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing their pet is covered in case of an accident or illness. They also like the fact that they can tailor their policy to suit their needs and budget.
However, there are a few negative reviews from customers who feel that they have not received value for money from their policy. These customers typically complain about high premiums and/or excesses, or about being denied coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Overall, pet insurance is generally well-received by customers in Australia. If you’re considering taking out a policy, it’s important to compare different providers before choosing a plan.
Which Pet Insurance Provider Is Best for You?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best pet insurance provider for you will depend on your individual circumstances. However, it’s important to compare policies from different providers before you decide. And make sure you read the fine print, so you know exactly what you’re covered for.
Conclusion
Pet insurance can be a great way to financially protect your pet in case of an accident or illness. However, it’s important to compare policies from different providers before you purchase one. Our pick for the best overall insurance provider in Australia is BowWowMeow Pet Insurance, while the best value offering comes from Petsy.
Consider all aspects of the policy from each provider before you make a decision. Those who are most unsatisfied with their pet insurance are those that have not read the fine print and find some surprises down the road. Don’t let that be you!
We hope this guide has helped you understand more about pet insurance in Australia. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Featured Image Credit: karolina grabowska, Pexels
