Compare dog insurance

Looking to protect your pet? Dog and puppy insurance can help you to manage unexpected vet bills by reimbursing eligible costs. Here at Mozo, we help you to compare dog insurance options from a range of pet insurance providers. 

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Dog insurance comparisons on Mozo - last updated 26 April 2024

Search promoted pet insurances below. Advertiser disclosure Important information on terms, conditions and sub-limits.
  • 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
    30000
    benefit percentage
    90
    choice of excess
    $0, $75, $150
    choice of vet
    Yes

    available discounts

    • -
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    Details
  • Mozo Expert Choice Badge

    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 $25,000
    benefit percentage
    70%, 80% or 90%
    choice of excess
    $0, $100, $200 Annual Excess
    choice of vet
    Yes

    available discounts

    • -
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    Details
  • 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
    $30,000
    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
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    Details
  • 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
    $12,000
    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
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    Details
  • 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
    $30,000
    benefit percentage
    80%, 90% or 100%
    choice of excess
    $0 - $100
    choice of vet
    Yes

    available discounts

    • -
    Compare
    Details
  • Comprehensive

    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
    Compare
    Details
  • Deluxe

    Multiple Mozo Experts Choice Award winner^. 100% of your eligible vet bills covered, less your chosen excess with PetsOnMe. No sub-limits on consult fees and lightning-fast claims payouts, usually within 2 business days.

    annual benefit limit
    $15,000
    benefit percentage
    80%
    choice of excess
    $100, $200, $300
    choice of vet
    Yes

    available discounts

    • 1st month free on all new policies. 5% discount for paying annually upfront and a further 5% multi-pet discount for 2 or more pets.
    Compare
    Details

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Pet insurances Awards

*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.

Pet insurance resources

Reviews, news, tips and guides to help find the best pet insurance for you.

Dog and puppy insurance: guide to finding the best cover for your dog

While you can't put a price on the love and companionship of a dog, over time, they can be a hefty expense. The costs of a family pup can really stack up, from food and supplies to inevitable vet bills.

You take out home and contents, car and travel insurance policies, so why not insure one of the most valuable things in your life? Your dog. 

More and more Australians are taking out pet insurance, to prevent a decision about a beloved dog’s health from becoming a financial decision. So, if you’re considering purchasing cover for your furry friend, here’s everything you need to know on dog and puppy insurance.

What is dog insurance?

Dog insurance is pet insurance specifically designed for man’s best friend. 

No dog owner ever wants to be in a position where they have to deny their animal medical treatment due to financial necessity. Dog insurance can cover some of those critical veterinary costs, so your dog can receive the treatment they deserve without any need for hesitation.

The idea is that dog insurance reimburses costs you've already paid. So instead of an accident or illness eating into your savings permanently, you foot the bill then claim later to recoup eligible costs.

What is covered by dog insurance?

What is covered by your dog insurance policy is hugely dependent on which pet insurance provider and cover type you select. 

Think about car insurance: you can go for third-party cover, which only covers the other car if you’re involved in an accident, or comprehensive car insurance, which covers both vehicles involved

Dog insurance works similarly. There are different levels of cover available: accident-only, accident-illness and comprehensive. You’ll usually find that an accident-only policy will provide far more basic coverage than a comprehensive policy might provide. Remember to check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to determine what precisely is and isn’t covered, as it can vary between policy types and dog insurance providers.

What types of dog insurance are there in Australia?

There are different types of dog insurance available that offer varying levels of cover. It’s important to balance your pet’s theoretical medical needs with your current financial reality when selecting a dog insurance plan. 

The levels of dog insurance available in Australia are:There are different types of dog insurance available that offer varying levels of cover. It’s important to balance your pet’s theoretical medical needs with your current financial reality when selecting a dog insurance plan. 

The levels of dog insurance available in Australia are:

  • Accident-only dog insurance. This type of pet insurance covers any healthcare costs your pooch might incur if they’re injured in an accident. Injuries from car accidents, fights with other animals, burns or snake bites are typically covered under this policy type. However, be sure to read the product disclosure statement (PDS) as an accident-only policy doesn’t cover all accidents.

  • Comprehensive dog insurance cover. A comprehensive plan is the highest level of dog insurance you can take out. It covers accident-illness with the addition of routine and preventative care, such as vaccinations and worming. Again, although comprehensive policies cover the most issues of the three plan types, most will not cover pre-existing medical conditions. Read your provider’s PDS for a full list of all covered accidents and illnesses.

  • Accident-illness cover. Accident and illness dog insurance is a mid-range cover that includes injuries due to accidents, as well as illness. Exactly what is covered varies from plan to plan, but most usually include illnesses such as cancer, infectious diseases, and skin conditions. Most dog insurance policies do not cover pre-existing medical conditions (conditions that your pet already had before being insured). Again, it’s essential to check your policy’s PDS for a complete list of all covered accidents and illnesses.

What are the most important factors to compare dog insurance?

Before you purchase a dog insurance policy there are some key things to consider. Each pet insurance provider has different inclusions, exclusions, costs and terms and conditions that might make it best suited to you and your furry friend. 

It’s important to read providers’ PDS to fully understand what is and is not covered.

Here are some of the things to keep in mind when comparing one policy to another:

  • Budget. Every dog owner wants the best for their pooch, but it’s important to know what is possible financially. When looking for a policy, go over your finances and budget how much you can afford to spend. From this, you will have an insight into what level of pet insurance you might want to look into and whether a monthly or annual premium will better suit your situation.

  • Waiting periods. A waiting period is the required time between when you take your dog to the vet and when you lodge your claim with your insurance provider. It is something important to keep an eye out for when reading the PDS.

  • Pre-existing conditions. If your pup has any pre-existing conditions, then it’s always best to disclose this before taking out a policy and confirm that it will be covered. Remember to carefully read the PDS to check whether your pet's pre-existing condition will be covered too.

  • Benefit caps. A benefit cap is the maximum total amount covered by the pet insurance policy within an insurance period. This varies between providers, so you’ll want to check the policy’s PDS to learn the annual limit you can claim for your dog.

  • Dog breed. Some dog breeds, such as brachycephalic breeds like Frenchies and Pugs, for example, are more likely to have certain illnesses and higher health risks. This means that depending on your pup’s breed, insurance might be more expensive. The size of the breed also matters. The 2021 Mozo Pet Insurance Report showed that, in general, the larger the dog, the more expensive the insurance plan. Tinier breeds of dogs, such as West Highland White Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers and Pomeranians, tend to cost hundreds of dollars less to cover than bigger breeds like Mastiffs. Additionally, a very small number of breeds are considered dangerous and are under strict restrictions in most states in Australia. These are: Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasiliero, Dogo Argentino, Perrode Presa Canario, and American Pit Bull Terrier. Therefore, insurance will probably not be available for dogs of these types.

  • Dog age. Most dog insurance is available between the ages of 8 weeks and 8-9 years, after which they are often disqualified for many types of coverage. Some companies increase premiums as your dog gets older and the likelihood of them requiring frequent healthcare increases, so check the policy’s PDS before signing up.

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Evlin DuBose
RG146
Senior Money Writer
Evlin is RG146 certified for Generic Knowledge and has become a leading voice in finance news since joining Mozo two years ago. She is regularly featured in Google's Top Stories alongside major publications like News.com.au and Yahoo Finance, and seasoned journalists. Despite being in the industry for just two years, she is Mozo's go-to writer for all things RBA and her research has been referenced by the Victorian Government. With a Bachelor of Communications degree from UTS, where she won the Dean's Merit Award and acted as the Director of Student Publications.

FAQs about dog and puppy Insurance

How much does dog insurance cost?

Many factors can impact the cost of dog insurance. The level of cover you choose is a significant determining factor in the price of your insurance policy. Additionally, the size and breed of your dog and if you decide to add any extra benefits to your insurance plan can change the price.

Also, your dog’s age can play a part in the cost of your dog insurance policy. Some companies increase premiums as your dog gets older and the likelihood of them requiring frequent healthcare increases, so check the policy’s PDS before signing up.

Do you need dental cover for your dog?

As dental issues can be common, especially as dogs get older, and can also lead to more significant health issues, preventative care is usually necessary but can sometimes be costly.

Not all dog insurance policies include dental cover, so it is important to check the PDS to see if your pup’s teeth are covered. While some more comprehensive policies do include dental care as part of their offerings, those that do not usually offer it as an add-on that you can purchase.

Does dog insurance cover vaccinations?

Yes, you can get vaccinations under some types of dog insurance. It is usually considered a part of routine and preventative care, which is treatment covered by a comprehensive dog insurance policy but can also sometimes be purchased as an additional add-on cover, depending on the provider. It is important to check the PDS to see if vaccinations are covered.

What's the best age I should get my dog insured?

As most dog insurance policies do not cover pre-existing medical conditions (conditions that your pet already had before being insured), it can be worth it to invest in insurance as early as possible. This increases the likelihood that any medical issues your puppy develops in their lifetime will be covered by the insurance policy.

Is dog insurance worth having?

While pet insurance is an expense, it’s really an investment. As the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry. The right dog insurance policy can give you peace of mind knowing that if your pup got hurt or sick, you could seek treatment without worry about finances.

Can sporting and breeding dogs be covered by insurance?

Dogs that participate in sporting events, such as racing or gun sports, or breeding are often disqualified from standard pet insurance policies. You may have to get a custom pet insurance policy through a broker.

What are some good dog name ideas?

Looking for inspiration? Take a gander at our list of 101 witty, popular, and creative dog name ideas (boys and girl cats included!)