Buying a dog in 2023? Read this first
Important information on terms, conditions and sub-limitsAre you thinking about buying a dog this year? If you are, it might be best to get your new furry friend sooner than later. Your wallet will thank you for it.
The cost of pets rises along with the cost of living, especially for purebred designer dogs. When Mozo reviewed the prices listed on the Responsible Pet Breeders website, we found you could find yourself forking up several thousand dollars for your new puppy fund.
While classic mainstays like Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, and Miniature Dachshunds hold some of the loftiest spots, new designer breeds like the small and fluffy Toy Cavoodle have run away with the market, with an average cost of $2,930!
If you are thinking about buying a puppy through a breeder, it's wise to register your interest early. Some breeders may have waitlists up to 3 years. Remember, it pays to compare since prices and availability vary between pet shops and breeders.
Best ways to fund your dog pet purchase
Dogs can be expensive, but that doesn’t mean you could never own one. There are several options you can choose to fund your future puppy.
- Save up money. Consider opening a high interest savings account that rewards you for not making withdrawals in the month. If you deposit a chunk of money into the account every payday you’ll soon have enough to buy a puppy.
- Personal Loans. If you don’t want to wait and save then a personal loan might be a good choice. Look for low interest personal loans that give you the ability to make extra repayments so you can pay it off quickly.
- Credit cards. If you are thinking about going to a pet shop, look for a card with a low purchase rate or intro rate so you can limit the interest you pay.
In addition to the upfront purchase, owning a dog comes with several ongoing costs like food, toys and vet visits so make sure you factor them into your puppy budget.
Tips for purchasing a dog
- If you’re planning on buying from a breeder make sure the breeder is legitimate and ethical.
- Try to meet your new puppy before purchasing.
- Do research on the breed you want so you can prepare for common health conditions or behavioural issues.
- Research pet insurance costs before bringing your new furry friend home.
- If you can’t afford a designer breed, consider rescuing a dog. There are many breeds that need a loving home.
Do I need pet insurance?
Just like humans, animals can fall ill at any moment. But unlike us, pets don’t have Medicare to help cover any potential medical costs. That’s why you should consider getting pet insurance to cover unforeseen accidents or problems, and the earlier the better.
If you are considering dog pet insurance, it’s important to shop around for the right policy. Much like human insurance, pet insurance prices vary based on the coverage you want. But another thing to keep in mind is that the breed of your furry friend also affects the cost of pet insurance.
The 2021 Mozo Pet Insurance Report found that Bullmastiffs are one of the most expensive dogs to insure while West Highland Terriers are among the cheapest breeds to insure.
If you need help trying to find the best pet insurances available in Australia check the Mozo Experts Choice Awards Pet Insurance winners.
Compare dog insurance policies - last updated 19 April 2024
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Accident and illness
100% Australian owned, Pet Circle Pet Insurance comes with no sneaky sub-limits and your choice of 3 annual limits up to $30K. Enjoy 3 benefit percentage options; 70% 80% or 90%, subject to annual excess. Choose what level of annual excess you need, from $0 to $150. Team of pet experts to help you on hand. Cancel at any time.
annual benefit limit
30000benefit percentage
90choice of excess
$0, $75, $150choice of vet
Yesavailable discounts
- -
CompareCompareAccident and illness
100% Australian owned, Pet Circle Pet Insurance comes with no sneaky sub-limits and your choice of 3 annual limits up to $30K. Enjoy 3 benefit percentage options; 70% 80% or 90%, subject to annual excess. Choose what level of annual excess you need, from $0 to $150. Team of pet experts to help you on hand. Cancel at any time.
- annual benefit limit
- 30000
- benefit percentage
- 90
- choice of excess
- $0, $75, $150
- choice of vet
- Yes
- available discounts
- -
- accident only cover
- no
- accident and illness cover
- yes
- routine care
- No
- routine care limit
- n/a
- dog
- yes
- cat
- yes
- ct and mris
- Yes
- cruciate ligament condition limits
- Yes
- hip joint surgery
- Yes
- total hip replacement
- Yes
- tick paralysis
- Yes
- dental cover
- Yes
- emergency boarding
- Yes
- theft or straying
- No
- death from illness
- No
- legal liability
- No
- overseas pet travel insurance
- Yes - Only New Zealand trip of not more than 60 days.
- essential euthanasia
- Yes
- maximum age in years
- 8
- minimum age in weeks
- 6
- waiting period
- 1 day for illness. 6 months for orthopaedic conditions
- special offers
- -
- pre approval process
- -
- claims service
- Online by vet or customer service portal.
- other benefits
- Optional excess is charged once per annual policy period. Complimentary access to the Pet Circle Pet Health Hotline.
- other restrictions
- -
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Pet Circle Accident and illness
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- Exceptional Value Accident & Illness Pet Insurance - 2023
- Exceptional Quality Pet Insurance - 2023
Pet Insurance
Enjoy flexible options that make it simple to tailor your pet insurance. Get a quote in just 2 minutes. Aussie customer care team. There are no sub limits and emergency help is available 24/7. Add optional extras such as dental illness and specialised therapies. Get 10% off your first-year premium using the exclusive promo code "MOZO10" - T&Cs apply.
annual benefit limit
$7,500, $12,5000, or $25,000benefit percentage
70%, 80% or 90%choice of excess
$0, $100, $200 Annual Excesschoice of vet
Yesavailable discounts
- -
CompareComparePet Insurance
Enjoy flexible options that make it simple to tailor your pet insurance. Get a quote in just 2 minutes. Aussie customer care team. There are no sub limits and emergency help is available 24/7. Add optional extras such as dental illness and specialised therapies. Get 10% off your first-year premium using the exclusive promo code "MOZO10" - T&Cs apply.
- annual benefit limit
- $7,500, $12,5000, or $25,000
- benefit percentage
- 70%, 80% or 90%
- choice of excess
- $0, $100, $200 Annual Excess
- choice of vet
- Yes
- available discounts
- -
- accident only cover
- no
- accident and illness cover
- yes
- routine care
- No
- routine care limit
- N/A
- dog
- yes
- cat
- yes
- ct and mris
- Yes
- cruciate ligament condition limits
- Yes
- hip joint surgery
- Yes
- total hip replacement
- Yes
- tick paralysis
- Yes
- dental cover
- Optional
- emergency boarding
- Yes, up to 30 days
- theft or straying
- No
- death from illness
- No
- legal liability
- No
- overseas pet travel insurance
- Yes, only while in New Zealand on a trip of not more than 60 days
- essential euthanasia
- Yes
- maximum age in years
- 8
- minimum age in weeks
- 6
- waiting period
- 1 day for illness, 14 days of illness, and 6 months for specified conditions
- special offers
- Get 10% off your first-year premium using the promo code "MOZO10"
- pre approval process
- -
- claims service
- Online by you or your vet
- other benefits
- Optional excess is charged once per annual policy period. Complimentary access to the Knose Pet Health Hotline.
- other restrictions
- -
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Knose Pet Insurance
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Major Medical
Get two months free when you sign up with Pet Insurance Australia. Choose between three levels of cover for your pet. Policies cover a range of specified accidental injuries and illnesses. Get refunded for up to 80% of eligible vet bills. 21 day cooling off period.
annual benefit limit
$30,000benefit percentage
80%choice of excess
$0, $100, $200, $500choice of vet
Yesavailable discounts
- 2 months free when you pay by monthly or fortnightly. Offer end on the 30th June 2024
CompareCompareMajor Medical
Get two months free when you sign up with Pet Insurance Australia. Choose between three levels of cover for your pet. Policies cover a range of specified accidental injuries and illnesses. Get refunded for up to 80% of eligible vet bills. 21 day cooling off period.
- annual benefit limit
- $30,000
- benefit percentage
- 80%
- choice of excess
- $0, $100, $200, $500
- choice of vet
- Yes
- available discounts
- 2 months free when you pay by monthly or fortnightly. Offer end on the 30th June 2024
- accident only cover
- no
- accident and illness cover
- no
- routine care
- Yes
- routine care limit
- Up to $150
- dog
- yes
- cat
- yes
- ct and mris
- Yes
- cruciate ligament condition limits
- Yes, up to $4,000
- hip joint surgery
- Yes
- total hip replacement
- Yes
- tick paralysis
- Yes, up to $3,000
- dental cover
- No
- emergency boarding
- Yes, $1,200
- theft or straying
- No
- death from illness
- No
- legal liability
- No
- overseas pet travel insurance
- Yes
- essential euthanasia
- Yes
- maximum age in years
- 9
- minimum age in weeks
- -
- waiting period
- 0 days for specified accidental injuries (other than a cruciate ligament condition), 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions, 30 days for illness conditions
- special offers
- -
- pre approval process
- -
- claims service
- GapOnly techNology available on eligible claims (available at participating vets), electronic claims by vet (processed within 5 business days) or 24/7 online customer service portal
- other benefits
- Complimentary access to online vet consultations with VetChat, up to 4 per month.
- other restrictions
- After pets 8th birthday, annual benefit percentage reduces to 65% on the next policy renewal.
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Pet Insurance Australia Major Medical
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Pet Insurance
Get cover for a generous 80% of your eligible vet bill when you take your furry family members to yourchoice of registered vet or veterinary practice in Australia. Enjoy a 15% discount on your first year’s premium for new policies quoted online. T&Cs apply.
annual benefit limit
$12,000benefit percentage
80%choice of excess
$100choice of vet
Yesavailable discounts
- Receive 15% off the first year’s premium for new policies quoted online
CompareComparePet Insurance
Get cover for a generous 80% of your eligible vet bill when you take your furry family members to yourchoice of registered vet or veterinary practice in Australia. Enjoy a 15% discount on your first year’s premium for new policies quoted online. T&Cs apply.
- annual benefit limit
- $12,000
- benefit percentage
- 80%
- choice of excess
- $100
- choice of vet
- Yes
- available discounts
- Receive 15% off the first year’s premium for new policies quoted online
- accident only cover
- no
- accident and illness cover
- no
- routine care
- No
- routine care limit
- N/A
- dog
- yes
- cat
- yes
- ct and mris
- Yes
- cruciate ligament condition limits
- Yes, up to $2,600
- hip joint surgery
- Yes, up to $4,000
- total hip replacement
- Yes
- tick paralysis
- Yes, up to $1,500
- dental cover
- No
- emergency boarding
- No
- theft or straying
- No
- death from illness
- No
- legal liability
- No
- overseas pet travel insurance
- No
- essential euthanasia
- Yes
- maximum age in years
- 9
- minimum age in weeks
- 8
- waiting period
- 2 days for accidental injuries, 30 days for illness and tick paralysis, 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions
- special offers
- -
- pre approval process
- -
- claims service
- Submit claim by email or by post
- other benefits
- -
- other restrictions
- -
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Budget Direct Pet Insurance
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Pet Plan
Get dental, physio and behaviour cover included as standard with Fetch 30k cover with no sub-limits. Your plan includes free 24/7 vet support and an all Aussie vet nurse team to manage claims. Claims are paid directly to your vet.
annual benefit limit
$30,000benefit percentage
80%, 90% or 100%choice of excess
$0 - $100choice of vet
Yesavailable discounts
- -
CompareComparePet Plan
Get dental, physio and behaviour cover included as standard with Fetch 30k cover with no sub-limits. Your plan includes free 24/7 vet support and an all Aussie vet nurse team to manage claims. Claims are paid directly to your vet.
- annual benefit limit
- $30,000
- benefit percentage
- 80%, 90% or 100%
- choice of excess
- $0 - $100
- choice of vet
- Yes
- available discounts
- -
- accident only cover
- no
- accident and illness cover
- yes
- routine care
- No
- routine care limit
- n/a
- dog
- yes
- cat
- no
- ct and mris
- Yes
- cruciate ligament condition limits
- Yes
- hip joint surgery
- Yes
- total hip replacement
- Yes
- tick paralysis
- Yes
- dental cover
- Yes
- emergency boarding
- Up to 14 days
- theft or straying
- No - optional support with a social media campaign targeting up to 5,000 people in your postcode
- death from illness
- No
- legal liability
- No
- overseas pet travel insurance
- No
- essential euthanasia
- Yes
- maximum age in years
- 9
- minimum age in weeks
- 8
- waiting period
- 2 days for injury, 30 days illness, Cruciate rupture, Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) and Cherry Eye, has a 90-day waiting period.. Option to submit a video to have waiting period waived.
- special offers
- -
- pre approval process
- Ask your vet to submit a pre-approval and get the outcome in-app.
- claims service
- Claim in-app or your vet submits online.
- other benefits
- Free 24/7 vet support in-app. Physio, Behavior cover included. See PDS for more.
- other restrictions
- -
Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Fetch Pet Plan
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* Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Pet Insurance Awards