Vet bills are expensive
Veterinary services can creep into the tens of thousands for something life-threatening or ongoing.
According to the 2018-2019 PetSure claim statistics (of the pet insurance brands that Choosi compares), the owner of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier suffering from a cruciate disease spent a staggering $65,442.91 in vet bills, while another claimed on a $14,271.26 vet bill when their Maltese Cross suffered from an ear infection. An owner of a German Shepherd who suffered a ligament injury made a $8,934.99 vet bill claim, a Jack Russell Terrier cost their owner $16,103.72 to treat a mast cell tumour, while a common tick paralysis treatment for a Border Collie cost their owner $3,776.76.
How can pet insurance benefit a dog owner?
The thought of your dog in pain is heartbreaking and explains why dog lovers are ready to pay thousands for treatments.
In the event of an accident or illness that’s covered, you could be eligible to:
- claim up to 85% of eligible vet bills, up to a maximum of $20,000 per year;*
- cover your dog from as young as 8 weeks; and
- use your own vet as long as they’re licensed to practice in Australia.
Types of pet insurance
Features
|
Accidental injury and illness
|
| Description |
Cover for accidental injuries in certain circumstances, and specified illnesses (except for pre-existing conditions)* |
| Entry age eligibility |
Minimum: 8 weeks old
Maximum: Younger than 9 or 16 years (depending on cover level) |
| Annual benefit limit |
Up to $20,000* |
| Maximum claim cover |
Up to 85%* |
| Waiting periods? |
- 30 days for illnesses (including tick paralysis)
- 6 months on cruciate ligament injuries (may be waived on application at insurer's discretion)
- 2 years for dental illness (available on certain policies only)
|
| Covers accidental injury? |
Yes, in certain circumstances |
| Covers illnesses? |
Yes, except for some specified illnesses |
| Choice of your own vet? |
Yes, as long as your preferred vet is licensed to practice in Australia |
* Pre-existing conditions and some illnesses are excluded. Benefit limits, sub-limits and annual condition limits may apply. Claim for reimbursement. Information is general. Please read and consider the relevant Policy Booklet (containing the Product Disclosure Statement, Policy Terms and Conditions, and Financial Services Guide) before purchasing for specific details of the policy’s inclusions and exclusions based on your selected level of cover.
Top 10 most common dog breeds for claims (Petsure Claim Statistics 2018-2019)
Breed
|
No of claims
|
| 1 |
Maltese Cross |
19,214 |
| 2 |
Cavoodle |
13,770 |
| 3 |
Labrador |
10,391 |
| 4 |
Staffordshire Bull Terrier |
10,390 |
| 5 |
Golden Retriever |
8,700 |
| 6 |
German Shepherd |
8,271 |
| 7 |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
7,992 |
| 8 |
French Bulldog |
7,309 |
| 9 |
Kelpie Cross |
5,960 |
| 10 |
Border Collie |
5,684 |
Top 10 most expensive claims by dog breed (Petsure Claim Statistics 2018-2019)
Dog breed
|
| 1 |
Maltese Cross |
| 2 |
Staffordshire Bull Terrier |
| 4 |
Cavoodle |
| 4 |
Labrador |
| 5 |
German Shepherd |
| 6 |
Golden Retriever |
| 7 |
French Bulldog |
| 8 |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
| 9 |
Kelpie Cross |
| 10 |
Border Collie |
With so many products on offer, it can be overwhelming to find the best pet insurance for your cat or dog. Luckily, we do the hard work for you. Choosi’s team of Choosers can be with you every step of the way, from finding the right cover to filling in the paperwork. Request a quote or contact our team today.
* Pre-existing conditions and some illnesses are excluded. Benefit limits, sub-limits and annual condition limits apply. Claim for reimbursement. Information is general. Please read and consider the relevant Policy Booklet (containing the Product Disclosure Statement, Policy Terms and Conditions, and Financial Services Guide) before purchasing for specific details of the policy’s inclusions and exclusions based on your selected level of cover.
References
The pet insurance information provided on this website is based only on the pet insurance policies that Choosi can arrange. Choosi doesn’t provide information or offer cover for all products available in the market and there may be aspects to some products that Choosi doesn’t compare. Information on this website doesn’t take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the relevant Policy Booklet for more information and to ensure the product suits your needs.