Pet Insurance
Accident and illness cover for dogs and cats that pays a share of the vet bill, so treatment decisions are never made against your bank balance.
$4,200
Average cruciate ligament repair
$1,400
Average emergency vet visit
3–10 days
Reimbursement speed
Any licensed vet
Vets accepted
Cover that fits your life, explained properly
A torn cruciate ligament in a labrador costs $3,500 to $5,000 to repair. Cancer treatment for a cat can run past $8,000. Swallowing a corn-on-the-cob — a surprisingly common emergency — is a $2,500 surgery. Most families do not have that sitting in a current account, which is why pet insurance exists: it converts an unpredictable five-figure vet bill into a predictable monthly cost of $25 to $60.
Pet cover works differently from human health insurance. You pay the vet in full, submit the invoice, and the insurer reimburses your chosen percentage — usually 70%, 80% or 90% — after your annual deductible. That means you are never restricted to a network and your vet is never told what to do by an insurer.
The two things that decide value are the annual payout limit and what counts as a pre-existing condition. We recommend unlimited annual limits, because a single serious illness can exceed a $10,000 cap in weeks, and we recommend insuring pets young — most carriers exclude any condition that showed symptoms before the policy started, so waiting until your dog is eight and arthritic means the arthritis will never be covered.
What pet insurance pays for
A summary of what a well-built policy includes. Exact limits, sub-limits and endorsements are set out in your written quote and in the carrier's policy wording.
Accidents & injuries
Broken bones, bite wounds, swallowed objects, hit-by-car injuries, torn ligaments and poisoning.
Illnesses & infections
Ear infections, skin allergies, urinary tract infections, vomiting and diarrhoea investigations, and cancers.
Diagnostics
X-rays, ultrasound, MRI and CT scans, bloodwork, urinalysis and biopsy — often the largest single part of a bill.
Surgery & hospitalisation
Anaesthesia, operating theatre, inpatient monitoring, IV fluids and prescription medication during the stay.
Chronic conditions
Diabetes, hypothyroidism, allergies and arthritis managed over years, provided they began after the policy started.
Hereditary & congenital conditions
Hip dysplasia, heart defects, luxating patella and breed-specific issues — on plans that do not exclude them.
Alternative therapy
Acupuncture, hydrotherapy, chiropractic and rehabilitation where a vet prescribes them.
Wellness add-on (optional)
Routine vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, dental cleaning, annual exams and microchipping.
Standard exclusions to read carefully
Most denied claims fail because of an exclusion the policyholder never read. These are the ones that matter most on pet insurance policies.
- Pre-existing conditions — anything with symptoms before the policy start or during the waiting period, whether or not it was formally diagnosed.
- Routine and preventive care, unless you buy the optional wellness rider.
- Elective and cosmetic procedures: neutering, spaying, declawing, tail docking, ear cropping.
- Breeding, pregnancy, whelping and stud-related costs.
- Dietary food, supplements and grooming; and pets used for commercial breeding, guarding or racing.
- Bilateral conditions where one side was already affected before cover began (for example one hip already dysplastic).
How we prevent surprises
- We walk you through the exclusions before you buy, not after a claim.
- We add endorsements where a gap can be closed for a few dollars a month.
- You receive the full policy wording and declarations page by email on day one.
- Your claims advocate reviews any settlement offer with you before you accept it.
Request your pet insurance quote
Takes under two minutes. An advisor replies within one business day with a written comparison.
Secure form. We never sell your details.
Cover levels we compare for you
Every family and business is different. These levels show the shape of what we build; your quote is tailored and priced from your own details.
Accident Only
- $250 annual deductible
- 80% reimbursement
- $5,000 annual limit
- Accident cover
- Illness cover
- Hereditary conditions
- Good for tight budgets & young pets
Accident & Illness
- $500 annual deductible
- 80% reimbursement
- Unlimited annual payout
- Illness, cancer & diagnostics
- Hereditary & congenital conditions
- Surgery & hospitalisation
- Alternative therapy included
Complete + Wellness
- $250 annual deductible
- 90% reimbursement
- Unlimited annual payout
- Illness, cancer & diagnostics
- Hereditary & congenital conditions
- Alternative & rehab therapy
- Wellness rider: vaccines, dental, flea & tick
Indicative monthly cost for a 2-year-old mixed-breed dog in Minneapolis. Cat premiums are typically 25–35% lower; older pets cost more.
Pet Insurance FAQs
Straight answers to the things people ask us most about pet insurance.
Protect the rest of your world too
Two or more policies with one advisor means one renewal date, one claims number and typically 12–18% less in total premium.