Compare pet insurance for dogs and cats from Australia's leading insurers — real 2026 cost data, plain-English policy breakdowns, and no jargon.
Bupa and Petsecure lead the market on comprehensive cover with high annual limits and few sub-limits, while PetSure-underwritten brands (RSPCA, Woolworths, RACV, Coles Pet Insurance) offer familiar names at varying price points from the same underlying insurer. Knose stands out for fully app-based, fast claims handling.
The best fit depends heavily on your pet's species, breed and age — see our full provider comparison for a breakdown by cover level and claims experience.
Average Accident & Illness premiums run around $807/year for cats, $1,358/year for small dogs, $1,374/year for medium dogs and $1,461/year for large dogs. Adding routine care cover typically pushes this to $930–$1,683/year depending on pet size.
Breed matters enormously: a French Bulldog can cost close to three times as much to insure as a Cavoodle, due to well-documented breed-specific health risks. See our full cost breakdown.
Illness cover typically takes 14–30 days to activate, and orthopaedic conditions like cruciate ligament injuries carry a wait of around six months. Any condition that emerges before or during these waiting periods can be permanently excluded as pre-existing — see our guides on waiting periods and pre-existing conditions before you buy.
Dogs and cats carry very different risks
Everything you need to make a confident decision