Pets are an important part of the family across Australia and our love of pets is revealed when we consider that according to the RSPCA Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world! There are an estimated 33 million pets in Australia! Dogs are the most common pet, with 39% of Australian households owning a dog – there are estimated to be 4.2 million pet dogs – that’s 19 dogs for every 100 people. As you would expect, cats are the second most popular, with around 15 cats for every 100 people!

That’s why pet insurance is so popular across Australia. Pets are special and families want to give the same commitment to their care and well-being as they do for other family members.

At the same time, the commitment to your pet’s health is becoming more expensive due to advances in medical technology. These days our pets can get treatment for cancer, diabetes and a whole array of ailments not to mention the cost when there’s an unfortunate accident. Pet Insurance is a way for people to protect themselves from the high cost of veterinary care, and to ensure that they are not forced to make difficult choices regarding treatment for a loved family member.

Your responsibility as a pet owner doesn’t end with food, shelter and affection. Pet insurance can give the smallest member of your family a longer and healthier life and provide you with more time to enjoy the unconditional love it so willingly offers to you

  • Australian Pet Insurance

Most Australian pet insurance plans have a few things in common:

  1. You usually pay a monthly or fortnightly premium.
  2. Annual payments are also available.
  3. There is generally a choice of benefit amount that is paid each year for eligible claims. This can range from around $8,000 per year to around $15,000 per year.
  4. Most often you can choose whether you want cover for Accidents only, or Accident and Illness. Some plans offer optional Routine Care (Wellness Care) that pays a nominal amount for annual health checks, vaccinations, teeth cleaning, etc.
  5. The percentage of the eligible vet’s bill ghat will be paid by the insurance varies.  This can range from 60% to 90% and sometime you can choose the benefit percentage you want. This means that you will be liable for the remaining percentage of the bill. Some plans have an additional excess that is paid on claims. This is also known as a “co-payment”.
  6. Pre-existing conditions are generally excluded.
  7. You can use any vet licensed to practice in Australia.
  8. You pay your vet first, and then are reimbursed after submitting your claim.

  • Pet insurance can be a life saver

Like all insurance, pet insurance is there for unexpected events, and we cannot predict the unexpected. So we never know if it will be necessary to make a claim on the policy. However if something goes wrong it’s very easy for the vet’s bills to mount up, and that is when having pet insurance can be help. Many people who do not have financial security of an insurance policy or savings to dip into are forced to make very difficult decisions around their pets. With pet insurance you know that you will have help with a substantial part of the vets bills, helping you financially at an already a difficult time.

  • How pet insurance can help

Here’s an example that shows even when you take into account the cost of the cover the savings can really add up.

The vet’s bill:  $5,000

The 85% benefit paid by Petsecure $4,250

The amount paid by you to the vet $750

Of course you may not have a $5,000 bill every year, and we hope you dont! Important to note pre-existing conditions are not covered, and so when your pet is healthy (and young) it is really a good time to get cover, so you know it will be there if or when something unexpected were to happen.)

With Petsecure pets need to be under 9 years of age to get cover for Accident & Illness.

To find out how pet insurance works check out our FAQ’s