Insuring your dog
Dry nose? Drooping tail? An owner knows when something's up with their dog. When your pet needs help from a vet, pet insurance can help cover a portion of the bills.
For dog-owners, having a dog can mean pricey trips to the vet. About 84% of dog-owning households see a vet at least once a year and spend on average $546 on veterinary services for dogs.1
Many vet visits are for vaccinations and check-ups, but around 24%2 of vet visits are for illness or injury, which can add up over the course of a year. Pet insurance allows you claim back of a portion of these vet bills and help take the financial sting out of caring for your dog.
Vet bills are expensive
Veterinary services can creep into the tens of thousands for something life-threatening or ongoing.
According to the 2018-2019 PetSure claim statistics (of the pet insurance brands that Choosi compares), the owner of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier suffering from a cruciate disease spent a staggering $65,442.91 in vet bills, while another claimed on a $14,271.26 vet bill when their Maltese Cross suffered from an ear infection. An owner of a German Shepherd who suffered a ligament injury made a $8,934.99 vet bill claim, a Jack Russell Terrier cost their owner $16,103.72 to treat a mast cell tumour, while a common tick paralysis treatment for a Border Collie cost their owner $3,776.76.
How can pet insurance benefit a dog owner?
The thought of your dog in pain is heartbreaking and explains why dog lovers are ready to pay thousands for treatments.
In the event of a specified accidental injury or illness that’s covered, you could be eligible to:
- claim up to 85% of eligible vet bills, up to a maximum of $20,000 per year;*
- cover your dog from as young as 8 weeks; and
- use your own vet as long as they’re registered to practice in Australia.
Types of pet insurance
Features | Specified accidental injury and illness |
|---|---|
| Description | Cover for specified accidental injuries in certain circumstances, and illnesses (except for pre-existing conditions)* |
| Entry age eligibility | Minimum: 8 weeks old Maximum: Younger than 9 or 16 years (depending on cover level) |
| Annual benefit limit | Up to $20,000* |
| Maximum claim cover | Up to 85%* |
| Waiting periods? |
|
| Covers specified accidental injury? | Yes, for specified accidental injuries in certain circumstances |
| Covers illnesses? | Yes, except for some illnesses |
| Choice of your own vet? | Yes, as long as your preferred vet is registered to practice in Australia |
* Exclusions, benefit limits, and sub-limits apply. An annual condition limit applies to some policies. Claim for reimbursement. Information is general. Please read and consider the relevant Policy Booklet (containing the Product Disclosure Statement, Policy Terms and Conditions, and Financial Services Guide) before purchasing for specific details of the policy’s inclusions and exclusions based on your selected level of cover.
Choose the level of cover that suits you. Some benefits may be included, and some may be an optional extra you can add to your policy in order to give you more cover or allow you to claim for routine check-ups. For dogs, these generally include a routine care benefit (for an additional premium) which can help cover some routine health checks or procedures that are otherwise not covered, such as vaccinations, desexing and worming. Be sure to check the relevant Policy Booklet and your Certificate of Insurance for specifics regarding optional routine care. Other benefits generally offered at no extra cost are:
Emergency boarding
If you (the sole carer) are unexpectedly hospitalised, or need emergency accommodation due to family violence for a specified period and are unable to care for your pet, this cover can help with the cost of boarding at a registered kennel or cattery up to an agreed amount.
Essential euthanasia
If a vet deems euthanasia an essential and humane treatment for your dog as a result of a condition covered under your policy, the benefit percentage will be covered up to applicable limits.
Paralysis ticks
The paralysis tick toxin released from a tick bite is very serious and can cause paralysis in pets that can be fatal if untreated.3 The benefit percentage will be covered up to the specified limit.
An unwell dog may require vet bills that soar into the thousands. If you’re considering pet insurance for your dog, it’s important to know that the premium for your policy will depend on your dog’s breed, age, where you live, and the level of cover you select, among other factors.
Breed | No of claims | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maltese Cross | 19,214 |
| 2 | Cavoodle | 13,770 |
| 3 | Labrador | 10,391 |
| 4 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 10,390 |
| 5 | Golden Retriever | 8,700 |
| 6 | German Shepherd | 8,271 |
| 7 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 7,992 |
| 8 | French Bulldog | 7,309 |
| 9 | Kelpie Cross | 5,960 |
| 10 | Border Collie | 5,684 |
Dog breed | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Maltese Cross |
| 2 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier |
| 4 | Cavoodle |
| 4 | Labrador |
| 5 | German Shepherd |
| 6 | Golden Retriever |
| 7 | French Bulldog |
| 8 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
| 9 | Kelpie Cross |
| 10 | Border Collie |
With so many products on offer, it can be overwhelming to find pet insurance for your cat or dog. Luckily, we do the hard work for you. Choosi’s team of Choosers can be with you every step of the way, from finding the right cover to filling in the paperwork. Request a quote or contact our team today.
* Exclusions, benefit limits, and sub-limits apply. An annual condition limit applies to some policies. Claim for reimbursement. Information is general. Please read and consider the relevant Policy Booklet (containing the Product Disclosure Statement, Policy Terms and Conditions, and Financial Services Guide) before purchasing for specific details of the policy’s inclusions and exclusions based on your selected level of cover.
References
- Animal Medicines Australia – Pet Ownership in Australia 2016 Report, p.40
- Animal Medicines Australia – Pet Ownership in Australia 2016 Report, p.41
- Animal Welfare League NSW – Ticks
Learn more about pet insurance
The pet insurance information provided on this website is based only on the pet insurance policies that Choosi can arrange. Choosi doesn’t provide information or offer cover for all products available in the market and there may be aspects to some products that Choosi doesn’t compare. Information on this website doesn’t take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the relevant Policy Booklet for more information and to ensure the product suits your needs.