Dog insurance

What is pet insurance for dogs? 

Pet insurance for dogs — otherwise known as dog insurance — is essentially health insurance for your dog. It can cover your furry friend for accidental injuries, illnesses and even preventative care. From puppies who’ve played a little too adventurously to older dogs who’ve developed arthritis, dog insurance could help cover some of the medical care your dog needs. 

Why may dog insurance be important? 

Just as our own health can be a bit of a mystery, so can your dog’s. However, like looking at your family’s medical history and keeping an eye out for certain problems, your dog’s breed can give you clues as to what vet care they may need in the future. For instance, a 2022 survey of Australian dog owners revealed that the most popular breeds include labradors and Staffordshire bull terriers. Beyond being a stellar pair for a modern-day competitor to Homeward Bound, these breeds have their own genetic predispositions to certain medical conditions.  

Anyone who has owned a labrador can attest to their determination to eat things they shouldn’t, and science has confirmed a genetic link to this seemingly inexhaustible drive for food. On the other hand, staffies have a higher likelihood of hereditary cataracts than other dogs. Of course, any breed or even a mixed breed can develop medical issues or be in an unfortunate accident.  

It’s hardly surprising then that that for Australian dog owners in 2022, the most expensive aspect of owning a dog (after food) was looking after their dog’s health. The estimated average annual household spend on vet services was $1,220.¹Animal Medicines Australia – Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people, p40 Dog insurance, though, can cover a percentage of these expenses. As a result, you may be able to better care for your dog without breaking your budget.

What should I look for when comparing pet insurance for my dog? 

Just like no two dogs are the same, you’ll likely find differences between dog insurance options. However, there are a few things you may want to check, no matter the policy.

You could start by looking at what’s included and what’s excluded. Obviously, if you pick an accident-only policy it’s fair to expect there won’t be any wiggle room for illnesses. However, you may find some policies only cover certain kinds of accidents that you would be happy with. Similarly, as you look at policies with greater coverage, there may still be items excluded, like dental work or desexing. 

While you’re looking at inclusions, you could also take note if there are any limits that apply. Your policy may have an annual limit for overall benefits, or certain conditions or care could come with their own sub-limits. As part of this, you may want to check the benefit percentages linked to the cover. Some policies may pay more of your vet bills, but it could mean a higher premium.    

Checking to see if an excess applies, is also something you may want to include on your to-do list. This is how much you’ll need to pay on a given bill before you can start claiming. You may find that most policies you compare don’t require an excess, but it’s always good to be in-the-know before choosing the right cover. 

And finally, like human health insurance, pet insurance for your dog can come with waiting periods. These can vary between policies. For instance, your cover may start immediately for injuries, but you may need to sit tight for several months when it comes to cruciate ligament conditions. 

Helpful Tip from Choosi’s Team of Choosers:

Some dog insurance policies may only cover specified accidents or certain kinds of injuries. If you’re concerned about a particular injury or accident, you may want to read the policy booklet to see if it’s covered or not.

When can I cover my dog? 

As a general rule, you typically can’t insure your dog until they’re eight weeks old. Once they hit this milestone, they’ll usually be eligible for cover. 

However, you may want to bear in mind that cover for your dog can be a ‘sooner rather than later’ game. The older your dog is, the more risk there is for them to be injured, become ill and develop pre-existing conditions that won’t be covered. 

Similarly, some insurers and policies have cut-off ages for when they will insure pets. This can be anywhere from 9 to 16 years old. The longer you wait, the more you risk not finding a policy at all or having to sift through very limited options. Generally once you have policy in place, your dog can be covered for life, even if they pass the cut-off age, so long as you have paid your premiums and cover is maintained.  

Getting cover and maintaining it as your dog ages though can mean you get lifetime cover for your pet. Of course, this too can vary between insurers and policies, so having a look at the PDS isn’t necessarily a bad idea. 

‘My greyhound Sylvie is my entire life, and I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to her, so she has the highest level of coverage even though she’s pretty young and healthy. With dogs, I feel like you never know what they’re going to get into, so the peace of mind is worth it for me.’

Ellie Garran
Digital Editor, iSelect

How much is pet insurance for dogs? 

How much your premium will be can vary depending on your policy, as well as factors like your dog’s breed, their age, where you live and if your dog is desexed or not.  

These different factors reflect the risk or likelihood of you making a claim. For instance, a breed that is more prone to injuries and certain health conditions, may come with higher premiums.  

What restrictions apply to pet insurance for dogs? 

It can be common to find restrictions on pet insurance for your dog. These can be related to procedures that won’t be covered, like nail trims, vaccinations or even desexing, or restrictions could be more about specific dog breeds that won’t be covered.  

Pre-existing conditions are more often than not, a restriction when it comes to pet insurance. If your dog has a condition before your policy starts — including during the waiting period — your insurer may treat it as pre-existing condition and that can mean it isn’t covered. However, genetic or inherited conditions could still be covered. Usually, your dog could be covered in this instance, if they have not shown signs or symptoms of the condition before the policy starts.  

Restrictions can also include some of the things listed earlier, like benefit limits and waiting periods.  

Getting familiar with the PDS or speaking with the insurer will help you get a better understanding of what’s in and what’s out on a given policy. 

Where can I find and compare insurance for my dog? 

While much of the future is unclear, we’re sure you can say with certainty that you’ll always love your furry friend and want to do what’s best for them. Pet insurance could help with this to some extent, covering a percentage of eligible vet bills. But who has time to sit down and compare dog insurance when there’s walks to be had? 

Luckily, iSelect has partnered with Choosi to make it easy to compare a range of pet insurance policies from certain insurers online. You can do it in a matter of minutes, so you can enjoy more time with your favourite canine friend. 

Written by

Madeline Pettet

Digital Writer (Health)

Madeline is ready to demystify the technical so customers can save and live their best lives. She’s passionate about sustainability and overall wellbeing. In her spare time, she’s staring adoringly at her cats.

Edited by

Laura Crowden

Managing Editor, iSelect

As Managing Editor for iSelect, Laura leads our in-house Editorial Team. When she’s not reviewing website copy, she enjoys reading, running and G&Ts.

Reviewed by

Choosi

Choosi makes choosing and applying for pet insurance clear, simple, and convenient. Choosi’s team of Choosers can help you compare the benefits and prices of a range of policy options from leading pet insurance providers so you can choose the cover that’s right for you.