Pet Plan Shopping in Australia: What You Need to Know

A pet plan is a wonderful way to protect your beloved fur baby’s health and your finances at the same time. With the right insurance specialist by your side, it needn’t break the bank. Check out these tips to help you find the best pet insurance and reduce vet bills across injuries, illnesses, allergies, dental and more…

It’s obvious that Australians love their pets – more than two thirds of our households have one. We share our homes with almost 29 million pets, according to Animal Medicines Australia’s latest report. That’s a whole lot of four-legged family members!

Yet despite our affection for furry friends, lots of pets in Australia are not covered by pet insurance. Two of the main reasons people avoid insurance is they think it will be too expensive and they’re confused about what’s covered. But that’s not the case if you go with the right insurance provider (hint hint). We bust these, and more, pet insurance myths here.

Importantly, know that it doesn’t pay to dawdle when making a decision on insurance. You’ll want to get in before medical conditions start emerging – a pet plan won’t cover ‘pre-existing conditions’.

Aussies worry about the health of their pets

Despite how few pet owners are covered with a pet plan (current estimates indicate only one in 10 do), Australians do worry about the health of their pets. Our research has discovered the top five pet health concerns that cause us to lose sleep are:

1. Eating something they shouldn’t and getting sick
2. Arthritis in dogs and cats
3. Tick bite (read how to remove a tick properly)
4. Bite injury from another animal
5. Breaking a bone

Each of these concerns can be treated by a vet, and that treatment can be covered by a pet plan. With pet insurance available for some pets for less than $1 a day, why aren’t more people getting insured?

We believe that being an informed pet parent is key to providing the best care possible. That’s why we’ve gathered a few articles below, covering everything from common health issues to tips for maintaining a happy and healthy pet:

• What is a Pet Body Condition Score and Why is it Important?
• How to Be a Pro Puppy Parent: Choosing, Buying and Planning
• Average Cat Weight: Is Yours Under, Over, or Just Right?
• Parvovirus: What It Is and How to Prevent It
• Could Your Pup Need Braces?
• 10 Tips for Comparing Pet Insurance in Australia Like a Pro

You’ll find plenty more articles in our blog.

Do I need a pet plan?

Anyone who’s ever owned a pet needing medical attention will tell you that vet bills can be expensive. Sometimes eye wateringly so. Having to say goodbye to your pet because you can’t afford the vet bill is a heartbreaking position too many pet owners experience.

So just how much can vet bills be? According to this this research, you can expect to pay somewhere in the vicinity of the following:

Vet bills for cats

1. Cat Bite Abscess – approx. $200 – $1200 (avg $620)
2. Bite Injury – approx. $300 – $900 (avg $580)
3. Wound Laceration – approx. $300 – $1,500 (avg $680)

Vet bills for dogs

1. Cruciate Ligament Rupture – approx. $300 – $8,000 (avg $3,000)
2. Lump Removal or Biopsy – approx. $100 – $4,000 (avg $780)
3. Wound – Laceration – approx. $100 – $3,000 (avg $770)

Infections, allergies and injuries are the top three claims we see here at PD Insurance, with vet bills ranging from under $100 through to more than $20,000.

For more information on the real costs behind vet bills, read this ‘Vet Bills in Australia Are Expensive – True or False?‘ article. Also, take a look at the video below where Dr Cath Watson breaks down the real meaning behind vet prices. This is so you can get a true sense of whether they’re really all that expensive when it comes to medical treatment for pets.

Many people consider these costs simply unaffordable. Yet if they’ve been paying for a pet plan they can take advantage of cover up to either the annual limit or the sub-limit for treating the health condition, with an excess to pay.

When you’re insured, you’re far less likely to need to go back and forth over a decision on expensive medical care for your mate.

What is the best pet insurance?

So, you’ve decided it’s time to take out a pet insurance policy to protect your furred loved one. But where do you start and who offers the best pet insurance? Here are five things to look for in a top-notch pet plan…

1. Simplicity

A key reason people don’t take up pet insurance is because they’re confused about what’s covered and what isn’t. Policies are often long and full of frustrating insurance jargon that puts people off – or puts them to sleep!

Our Canstar award-winning pet insurance is different. At PD Insurance, our customer service philosophy is ‘Simplicity’. We spell out our pet plans in plain English, minus the jargon. That means you know exactly what you’re paying for: no-nonsense, affordable, high-quality insurance that cuts the confusion.

And when making a claim on your pet plan, the process is simple. Our 24/7 online claims portal is fuss-free and quick, so you can concentrate on what matters – caring for your pet. Plus, we aim to reimburse you within two business days of you sending us your documentation. We understand no one wants to wait weeks to get funds back!

2. Affordability

The main concern cited by Aussies who don’t have pet insurance is affordability.

Fair enough, some pet insurance products do come with a high price tag. But some don’t. PD Insurance is doing our best to make pet insurance more affordable for more Australians. That’s why we offer pet plans starting from as little as a coffee a week – depending on the type and age of your animal, of course.

Our most basic pet plan is Accident, with a $5,000 annual benefit limit, which covers (you guessed it) treatment for accidents only. It also features third party liability cover, for if your pet damages someone else’s property or pet. Then we have the Classic plan, which covers illnesses too, and has a $10,000 annual limit and Deluxe, which covers dental as well, and has a $20,000 annual limit. Sub-limits do apply to all.

To top it off, if you buy online as a new customer you’ll get one or more months of insurance for free. We’re just that kind of pet lover!

3. Flexibility

Let’s be honest, no one likes being locked into a contract where they have to hand over cash each month whether they like it or not.

PD Insurance does things differently. We know your circumstances can change and what was affordable last month mightn’t be this month. Our month-to-month payment model provides our customers with the ultimate flexibility.

You can upgrade or downgrade between our levels of cover whenever you like, or even cancel it without penalty. We put you, your family, and your super cute pet first.

Just remember that if you do cancel your insurance for a while we won’t cover conditions that emerge during that time and waiting periods will start again.

4. Clear pet plan options

When it comes to taking out a pet plan, your options for cover should be clearly laid out from the get-go. As mentioned earlier, at PD Insurance, we keep it simple with three tiers of coverage for both our cat insurance and dog insurance plans:

• Accident Plan: Covering the basics, including accident and third-party liability benefits.
• Classic Plan: Covering the same as Accident as well as illness.
• Deluxe Plan: Covering the same as Classic as well as dental.

Did you know that paying a slightly higher pet insurance premium for dental care inclusion can be well worth it? Trust us, your pet’s pearly whites will thank you!

According to the Australian Veterinary Association, a whopping 80% of dogs and cats over the age of three suffer from some level of dental disease. Yikes! That’s a lot of furry mouths in need of some TLC. But fear not, because we’ve got you covered at PD.

Our Deluxe plan is like a dental superhero for your pet’s chompers. It covers various dental treatments up to an annual limit – read about this in our Pet Dental Insurance article. You might be thinking, “Is dental coverage really necessary?” Well, let us tell you, proper dental treatment can make a world of difference in your pet’s life. They’ll be happier, healthier and it can even help them live longer.

Think of it as a part of your routine pet care, just like vaccinations and worming. Dental health shouldn’t be overlooked!

5. Speed of claim repayments

Because pet insurance works by reimbursing customers, the speed at which that happens when you make a claim is vital.

PD Insurance is its own underwriter via Pacific International Insurance, which means we turn claims around fast. We aim to do so within two business days, in fact. It’s all part of our philosophy to provide a ‘Soft Landing’ for our customers when things get tough. We process claims, make fair decisions, and reimburse you quickly, taking as much pain out of the process as possible. 

Find out more about how pet insurance reimbursement works

Award-winning pet plans for cats, kittens, dogs and puppies

Imagine a pet plan that’s so cost-effective, it’s won awards like Canstar’s 2022 Outstanding Value – Pet Insurance Award. That’s right, we’re talking dog, cat, kitten, and puppy insurance that goes above and beyond to ensure your treasured family member is safeguarded.

You don’t want to worry about affording the right medical treatment when your pet needs it most, or scrambling to afford the best vet. With pet insurance, you can rest easy knowing that your four-legged pal will receive the most pawsome care without breaking the bank.

We’ve got you covered for accidents, injuries, and those pesky illnesses that can sneak up on our furry companions. No matter where you are in Australia, you can choose any qualified vet you like. We believe in empowering you to make fast, care-based health decisions for your furry friend.

And here’s the cherry on top – we understand that sometimes, one vet visit just isn’t enough. That’s why our fixed excess applies to the one claimable event, rather than on each of the vet bills that make up that claimable event.

Oh, and did we mention the awesome discounts? If you have multiple pets or even a pet and a car, depending your policy we could have special bundle and save discounts waiting just for you! It’s like hitting the jackpot of pet insurance deals.

PLUS, buy online with PD Insurance and you’ll score one or more month of free insurance.

So why wait? Give your pet the protection they deserve with our affordable, simple pet plans and quick online reimbursement process. Your furry friend will thank you, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing they’re in good paws.

Now you know the benefits of pet insurance and what to look for in a pet plan, let’s get you started with a quote – click the button below. Like everything we do, the PD Insurance quote process is simple and quick.