Pet Insurance

Get pet insurance in Australia for your dog, cat, horse or exotic animal from Petcover Australia. Policies start from just £17.09 a month!*

- 9 levels of cover to choose from
- Claim up to $20,000 vet fees
- Accidental injury and illness cover
- Cover starts from 8 weeks old

What is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance is a type of insurance policy designed to help cover the costs of veterinary care if your pet becomes ill, injured, or in some cases, needs routine preventative care. It works by reimbursing you for a portion of the expenses associated with keeping your pet healthy, allowing you to focus on their care rather than the cost.

Whether it’s covering routine treatments, emergency surgeries or managing chronic conditions, Pet Insurance helps you safeguard your pet’s health and wellbeing while offering you total peace of mind.

At Petcover, we go beyond the basics, offering comprehensive cover tailored to meet the needs of pets and their owners. From accident-only policies to extensive cover that includes illnesses, surgeries, diagnostic testing and even complementary treatments like physiotherapy or hydrotherapy, pet insurance is there to help ease the financial strain of unexpected veterinary bills.

We understand that pets are more than animals – they are cherished members of your family. Our pet insurance policies are tailored to ensure your furry, feathered or scaled companions receive the best possible care without the worry of unmanageable expenses.

Petcover Australia Horse Insurance
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Black and white cat snoozes in front of a small desktop fan
Small green parrot closes it's eyes as it nestles into owners neck for comfort during fireworks
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Pet Insurance - which policy is right for you?

We offer a wide variety of pet insurance policies to meet the requirements of your pet. To decide which policy is right for you, first select the type of pet you want to insure. You’ll then be given multiple levels of cover to choose from. Policies range from ‘safety-net’ plans with basic cover to ‘superior plans’ which cover everything from illness to injury, holiday cancellations, advertisement costs for missing pets and more.

Why is pet insurance in Australia so important?

Owning a pet brings immense joy, but it also comes with responsibilities, including being prepared for unexpected health issues. Pets, like humans, can face illnesses, accidents, or chronic conditions that require medical attention. Without insurance, these unforeseen vet bills can quickly add up, leaving you with difficult financial and emotional decisions.

Pet insurance is important because it allows you to provide the best possible care for your beloved companion without the stress of high costs. At Petcover, we understand that no one wants to compromise on their pet’s health. Our policies are designed to give you the financial confidence to seek treatment as soon as it’s needed, whether it’s an emergency surgery, ongoing medication, or diagnostic testing.

Pet insurance can also offer support for a wide range of situations beyond just accidents and illnesses. For instance, if your pet needs alternative therapies, emergency boarding or cover for travel-related health issues, a comprehensive policy from Petcover ensures you’re covered.

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How does pet insurance work?

Getting pet insurance and making a claim couldn’t be easier.

  1. Pick your perfect policy
    Decide on the level of cover you need for your pet.
  2. Get a quote
    Take a pet insurance policy out online or over the phone.
  3. Pay your premium
    Set up a direct debit to pay monthly or pay for your policy upfront.
  4. Make a claim
    Simply pay your vet, then claim up to 100% of the cost back from us (minus the excess). In some cases, we can even pay your vet directly.

Why choose Petcover for your pet insurance in Australia?

At Petcover, we are the pet insurance experts. We started out as pet breeders and know the complexities that come with pet ownership. We love our pets and want to help pet owners across Australia to take the best care of their pets possible.

  • Join over 250,000 pet owners who have trusted us with their policy
  • Over 40 years of pet insurance and breeder experience
  • 93% of claims paid out (Jun 2023 – Mar 2024)
  • We can pay fees direct to your vet

Want to switch pet insurance providers?

Benefits of pet insurance

Pet insurance FAQs

The cost of pet insurance varies based on factors like your pet’s species, breed, age, location, and the cover you select. Petcover Australia offers a range of plans, from basic accident-only policies to comprehensive cover that includes accidents, illnesses, and extras like alternative therapies or death benefits. To get an idea of price, get a quote online to quickly check the monthly or annual cost by sharing your pet’s details.

Pet insurance isn’t compulsory in Australia, but it’s strongly recommended. Vet bills, especially for emergencies or long-term care, can be costly. Pet insurance helps cover these expenses by paying back a portion of the costs, depending on your plan. Without it, you might face tough choices about your pet’s treatment if unexpected bills come up.

Petcover Australia offers insurance for a wide range of pets:

  • Dogs and cats: Policies typically cover accidents and illnesses with a host of optional extras. We cover a wide variety of dog and cat breeds, from French Bulldogs to Golden Retrievers and Persians to Ragdolls.
  • Birds: Covers exotic birds and parrots for illness, injury, and theft (optional).
  • Exotic pets: Includes reptiles, guinea pigs, and other small mammals. Terms and conditions may vary for different species, so always check the policy documents for specific details about your pet type.
  • Horses: Provides protection for illnesses, injuries, and optional extras such as theft or saddlery cover. Tailored horse insurance policies means your horse gets the care it needs.

Your pet’s accident and injury cover kicks in right away, so you’re protected from day one. For everything else, there are ‘waiting periods’. Think of them as a short time you need to wait after taking out your policy before you can claim for certain conditions.

For new illnesses, this waiting period is typically 21 or 28 days. This is to make sure your pet wasn’t already getting sick before the policy started. If any illness pops up during this time, it won’t be covered.

It’s also important to know that ‘pre-existing conditions’ – any health issues, injuries, or symptoms your pet had before you got the policy – are not covered. Pet insurance is designed to help with the unexpected health problems that come up later.

Waiting periods can differ between policies, so it’s always a good idea to check your specific documents to see exactly what they are.

With Petcover, you have the freedom to choose any licensed veterinary clinic across Australia. Stick with your trusted family vet or explore specialist options – it’s entirely up to you! Just make sure your chosen clinic is legally registered and qualified, and you’re good to go.

Ready to make a claim with Petcover? It’s super easy:

  1. Simply download and complete our straightforward claim form.
  2. Next, gather a few essential documents: your itemised invoices, receipts, and a detailed treatment report from your vet.
  3. Then, submit your completed form and documents hassle-free – either online, via email, or by post. We’ll quickly process your claim and get the eligible amount reimbursed directly to you, accounting for any excess or exclusions as per your policy.

Find out more on our claims page.

While we’d be sorry to see you leave, you’re free to cancel your policy at any time. Please note, however, that any pending claims must be finalised before your cancellation can be fully processed.

 

Ready to proceed? It’s easy! You can complete our online form, send us an email at loyalty.au@petcovergroup.com, or simply give us a call on 1300 731 324.

Does age matter for pet insurance? Yes, but it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Here are the age limits for taking out a new policy for your pet:

 

  • Dogs & Cats: 8 weeks to 8 years old. For some select breeds, the maximum age is 5 years.
  • Horses: 30 days to 29 years old.
  • Birds: 12 weeks to 25 years old.
  • Reptiles: 8 weeks to 15 years old.
  • Turtles: 12 weeks to 30 years old.
  • Small Mammals (like guinea pigs and rabbits): 8 weeks to 5 years old.

Your pet is family, and their health is priceless. But what happens when unexpected accidents or illnesses strike? Vet bills can quickly skyrocket into the thousands for surgeries, tests, or emergency care. That’s where pet insurance comes in, turning financial stress into peace of mind. Pet insurance can significantly reduces your out-of-pocket expenses by reimbursing a percentage of those eligible costs. Especially if your pet is an adventurous spirit or a breed prone to hereditary conditions, pet insurance isn’t just beneficial – it’s an essential safeguard for their well-being and your wallet!

Absolutely! You can add multiple pets to your Petcover policy. While each pet will have their own individual cover and premium, we offer discounts for multi-pet households to help you save.

Unfortunately, pre-existing medical conditions aren’t covered. This means any illness or injury your pet showed signs of, was diagnosed with, or treated for before your policy started (or during the waiting period) won’t be included. The good news? Some conditions could be considered “resolved” if your pet stays symptom-free for a significant amount of time – check your policy documents for more detail.

No, routine procedures like neutering or spaying are considered part of responsible pet ownership and are not covered by pet insurance. These costs are expected to be covered by the owner.

Unfortunately, vaccinations aren’t covered by standard pet insurance policies as they fall under preventative care. It’s up to you, the pet parent, to keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date. In fact, doing so is usually a requirement to keep your policy valid.

Dental cover depends on your chosen policy. While routine dental cleaning and cosmetic procedures are usually excluded, some policies may cover dental issues related to accidents or illnesses, such as tooth extractions caused by injury or infection.

Yes, pet insurance typically covers medications prescribed by a vet as part of treatment for a covered illness or injury. However, long-term medications for chronic conditions may be subject to limits, so always check your policy documents to check what’s covered.

Yes, snake bites are covered under accident policies, provided the waiting period has passed. Treatments, including anti-venom and hospitalisation, can be expensive, so having this cover is handy for pets living in snake-prone areas.

Losing a pet is an incredibly difficult experience. While nothing can replace your beloved companion, Petcover’s optional death from illness or injury cover can provide some financial peace of mind. This benefit can reimburse you for the pet’s original purchase price or an agreed value during such a tough time. Please note that conditions like age limits or pre-existing condition exclusions may apply, so we encourage you to review your policy documents for full details.

Yes, hip dysplasia can be covered if it is not a pre-existing condition and arises after the waiting period. Some plans also include cover for hereditary and congenital conditions, which can be important for breeds prone to hip dysplasia.

Yes, diagnostic tools like x-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs are covered if they are necessary for diagnosing or treating a covered condition. Always check your policy for specific diagnostic cover limits.

We cover allergy treatment, provided the allergies aren’t pre-existing and your vet prescribes the care. This can include everything from allergy testing and medication to even specialised diets, all as part of their recommended treatment plan.

Pet insurance is great for unexpected accidents and illnesses, but it doesn’t usually cover routine annual check-ups or wellness visits. Think of these as preventive care, which is your responsibility as a proactive pet parent to keep your furry friend in tip-top shape.

1 Price based upon 8-week-old Australian Silky Terrier on a Core policy.
2 Price based upon 8-week-old Snowshoe on a Core policy.
3 Price based upon 8-week-old Stockhorse on a Basic policy.
4 Price based upon 8-week-old Murray Short-Necked Turtle on a Value policy.
All prices correct as of October 2025.