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Pet insurance for senior pets
Pet insurance for senior pets
Written by
Tina Sendin
Edited by
Andrew Kemp
Reviewed by
Adrian Bennett
Can I get pet insurance for older cats and dogs?
Long story short
It is possible get pet insurance at any point in your pet’s life
But most insurers limit the options to basic or accident-only cover and exclude pre-existing conditions, if taken out as a new policy after a specified age limit.
Most insurers have an age cut-off for pet insurance
Taking out a new policy after your pet turns 8 or 9 years old (and beyond) could mean not being able to get the comprehensive policies. And some providers don’t offer new policies after a certain age.
Getting pet insurance early could help cover them until their golden years
Most insurers allow you to take out a new policy for a pet as young as 8 weeks old and, by doing so, you typically wouldn’t have to stress about pre-existing conditions.
It usually costs more to insure older cats and dogs
As your cat or dog gets older, they’re more likely to develop health conditions – which means more vet visits, ongoing treatments and higher premiums.
Can I get pet insurance for older cats and dogs?
Yes, you can get pet insurance for older cats and dogs, but keep in mind that coverage is generally limited to basic or accident-only once they reach a certain age – usually 8 or 9 years old. And while some pet insurance companies offer insurance for pets over 9 years of age, new policies for older dogs and cats often carry a higher price tag and don’t cover pre-existing conditions. Unfortunately, some insurers won’t offer a new policy after a certain age.
So, while pet insurance for senior fur babies (let’s admit, they’re still our babies no matter their age) is still within reach, understanding your policy’s coverage can help ensure your beloved companion gets the care and protection in their golden years. Be sure to also check the Product Disclosure Statement to understand the coverage for older cats and dogs, and the age limit for certain types of cover.
What are the insurance options for older pets?
You can either take out a new policy for older pets (which generally comes with limitations) or hold a policy continuously from when they were younger. Most insurers limit new policies for pets over the age of 8 or 9 to accident-only cover.
However if you originally took out pet insurance when your pet was younger and renew it each year without a break, many insurers offer lifetime cover. This allows you to keep your policy in place for your pet’s lifetime, often across different levels of cover – including mid-range or comprehensive options that may cover illnesses and, in some cases, optional extras like preventive care.
If you’re insuring a younger pet, you’ll usually have a wider choice of cover levels when starting a new policy. These typically come in the form of:
- accident-only, which focuses on accidental injuries
- accident and illness cover, which could protect your pet from unexpected injuries and sudden illness
- more comprehensive policies, which may include preventative or routine care options, as well as things like dental care and treatment for behavioural problems.
You might find that as a pet ages, it’s common for insurers to restrict new pet insurance plans or stop accepting new applications altogether beyond a certain age. Mainly because older pets are more likely to develop health problems or face greater health risks when they age.
It’s worth revisiting your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement or comparing insurance providers to understand the options available for your senior pet.
Helpful tip
Are you worried that once you buy pet insurance, you’ll need to change to a vet that’s been approved by your insurer? We’ve got good news. Many pet insurance providers will allow you to keep seeing any vet you like (just as long as they’re registered to practice in Australia).
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
Is there an age cut-off for pet insurance for senior cats and dogs?
Yes, most pet insurance companies have an age cut-off for taking out a new comprehensive policy for senior cats and dogs – generally around 8 or 9 years old. And some insurers may have a lower age limit – say, 5 years old – for certain breeds. However, if you’re renewing an existing policy, many providers offer lifetime coverage – allowing you to enjoy the cover for the rest of your pet’s life if you keep paying your premium.
It’s worth noting that many policies allow you to start insuring your pet within the first year of life (say, around 8 weeks old). It’s a good idea to take out a new insurance policy while your pet is young, as conditions often develop later in life and new policies for older dogs and cats usually won’t cover pre-existing conditions.
On top of that, depending on the policy, you might face prerequisites before you’re able to access some types of cover. For example, some insurers only offer dental cover for pets if the policy was taken out before your cat or dog turned 3.
While you can still get pet insurance for your senior cats and dogs, it’s important to know that most insurers limit your options to basic or accident-only.
Does it cost more to insure a more mature pet?
Yes, it can be more costly to insure a more mature pet. That’s because as pets get older, they’re more likely to develop chronic health problems like diabetes, arthritis or cancer that might require ongoing veterinary care or expensive treatments. And this could lead to higher premiums, which are usually calculated based on the pet’s health risk.
Because of this, it’s a good idea to take out cat or dog insurance early, and many insurers offer it from around 8 weeks old. Starting young helps ensure your pet can stay covered as they get older. Since many health issues only manifest later in life and aren’t covered if they’re pre-existing, having insurance early means your four-legged fur baby is more likely to be covered for treatment if problems show up in their senior years.
Going without pet insurance for older pets could leave some owners with a financial dilemma. Some treatments for older pets are ongoing and expensive, leaving their owners with the unpleasant task of weighing the financial and emotional costs of giving the vet the green light.
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions for older cats and dogs?
No, pet insurance policies generally don’t cover pre-existing medical conditions for older cats and dogs. That said, some insurers might consider a pre-existing condition temporary and still provide cover for it. Say, if your pet’s been fully treated and cured, or if your older pet has been symptom-free for a long period, for instance, 12 months. However, if there are recurring injuries, illnesses, symptoms or conditions requiring treatments before the policy starts or during the waiting period, they’re considered pre-existing. The specific details will depend on the insurer and the policy, so it’s worth understanding the Product Disclosure Statement.
Also, new conditions that appear well after your policy has started – while you’ve been paying premiums continuously – are generally covered. Which is why it’s a pro-pet-owner move to take out a new policy as early as possible, and while your cat or dog is still young and healthy.
Is it still worth it to insure an older pet?
Yes, insuring an older pet is typically still worthwhile – especially when managing high, unexpected costs for health conditions that usually develop as they age is a priority. Even if taking out a new policy for older dogs could mean higher premiums and that pre-existing conditions aren’t included, pet insurance could still protect your senior cat or dog against unexpected vet bills. Peace of mind alone is often a compelling reason.
They’ve always been there for you – and as your pet enters their golden years, they’ll need you more than ever. They deserve the care and protection now when it matters most.
Pet insurance could give them this protection.
To avoid paying higher bills from vet consultations and treatments, it’s a good idea to start a new policy early – while your furry friend is still just a tiny pup or kitten (we’re talking as young as 8 weeks old). This could mean having them covered while they’re still young, sprightly and healthy – and you can avoid a lot of the stress around pre-existing conditions and waiting periods later on.
Older pets may also need additional vet visits and support for age-related issues such as vision and hearing loss. They usually need regular checkups, diagnostic tests, medications and specialised treatments to maintain their quality of life. Getting pet insurance early could help lighten the financial load.
Things to consider when choosing pet insurance for your older pet
When choosing pet insurance for your older pet (usually 8 years or older), look at the policy’s inclusions and whether it still has illness coverage. It’s also a good idea to examine the exclusions around pre-existing conditions alongside the age limits, annual limits, sub-limits and excess.
- Excess: While some pet insurance providers require an excess payment from their customers, others have policies with zero excess when making a claim.
- Age limits: Pet insurance can limit the coverage eligibility to a specific age bracket. A common range sees cover start for pets aged 8 weeks to 9 years old.
- Cover limits: Review pet insurance annual cover limits, as policies typically differ in annual limits, sub-limits, excess and benefit limit or percentage.
What are the ways that I can save on pet insurance for my senior pet?
You can potentially reduce your senior pet’s insurance premium by increasing your excess (if your policy has it), looking out for any discounts your insurer may offer, paying an annual premium (rather than monthly), reviewing your policy’s limits and comparing policies.
- Choose a higher excess: Increasing your excess amount can often lower your premiums but make sure it’s something you can afford to shell out if you need to make a claim.
- Check for multi-pet discounts: If (in true pet lover fashion) you have multiple pets, see if your insurer offers a discount for having them all covered under the same policy.
- Pay annually instead of monthly: Paying an annual premium is usually cheaper than monthly instalments as it could help you avoid potential admin fees.
- Compare policies: One of the ways to find cheaper options is to shop around. Compare policies that are available in the market for senior pets – you don’t know what you don’t know, so it’s worth exploring your options!
iSelect does not offer a comparison service for Pet insurance policies at this time.
Any advice provided by iSelect on this website is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice we give you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on our advice or purchasing any policy. You should consider iSelect’s Financial Services Guide which provides information about our services and your rights as a client of iSelect.