Pet insurance: What are you covered for?

Published August 2023 | 5 min read
Expert contributors Noriel Williams, veterinarian; Donna Gilroy, veterinary practice manager; Rebecca Thomsen, head of product, Diversified Business at HCF
Words by Angela Tufvesson

Worrying about expensive vet bills when your pet is unwell is stressful and can impact decisions you make about their care. Here’s how pet insurance can help.

Owning a dog or a cat can bring companionship, better mental health and lots of cuddles – but looking after your pet doesn’t always come cheap, and that’s where having pet insurance can help.

Dog owners spend an average of more than $25,000 over the lifespan of their pet, and for cat owners the costs can be as high as $17,000 for a four-legged friend that may live for up to 20 years, according to research. A hefty chunk of these costs often come from vet bills for routine checks, treatments and vaccinations, as well as unexpected costs for accidental injuries or serious illnesses.

For a number of Australians with dogs or cats, pet insurance can help provide protection against vet bills for unexpected accidental injuries and illnesses. 

"If your pet requires hospitalisation or specialist care, your out-of-pocket vet bills can go from the cost of annual vaccinations to easily $5,000, overnight," explains veterinarian Dr Noriel Williams, founder of Melbourne-based mobile veterinary service Cosy Paws Vet Care.

How does pet insurance work?

Pet insurance works by helping to cover the cost of unexpected eligible vet expenses.

A pet insurance policy may cover your pet for serious illnesses, chronic conditions and surgical procedures. The same goes for mishaps like snake bites, tickparalysis, poisoning, torn nails and eye trauma, which can be especially helpful if your pet likes getting into trouble.

Depending on your policy, your pet may also be eligible for some money back on items like vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, as well as regular check-ups. 

"Some dogs are injury-prone, just like people, [and] some breeds are known to be escape artists," says Donna Gilroy, practice manager at Noah's Ark Veterinary Services in NSW.

If that sounds like your furry friend, then having pet insurance may be beneficial.

How can pet insurance reduce vet costs?

Pet insurance is particularly helpful when you’re confronted with large, unexpected vet bills. Treatments for snake bites, cancer, cruciate ligament surgery and ingesting foreign objects, for example, can be $2,000 or more.

"Specialist care [for animals] is of such high quality and on par with human healthcare with the surgeries, imaging and diagnostics that can be done, and the standard of care for hospitalisation and emergency is also high. Obviously, all of that comes at a cost," says Dr Williams.

What does HCF Pet Insurance cover?

Our pet insurance can help with the cost of your cat or dog’s eligible vet bills, providing up to 80% back up to a limit of $12,000 per year with the Pet Premium cover.

"We offer GapOnly® as a payment option at participating vet practices, which enables you to claim at the vet and only pay the gap*," explains Rebecca Thomsen, head of product, Diversified Business at HCF.

"If something unexpected happens, GapOnly® can help to reduce eligible out-of-pocket expenses, including large expenses like surgery or cancer treatment."

If you’re unsure whether your pet needs to visit the vet, she says a new service, VetChat, gives members access to four online consultations each month^{^}. "You can ask a question or address a concern with a qualified vet without having to physically go into the practice."

How much is pet insurance? 

"Age and breed are the two key factors in working out your premium [which is the amount you pay for the insurance each month], but the coverage – 80% back on your bills – is the same for all breeds," says Rebecca.

Your excess, which is the amount you have to pay if you make a claim on your policy – with HCF Pet Insurance, this ranges from $0 to $200 – will also influence the cost. "If you choose a higher excess, your premium will be lower," she adds.

What does pet insurance not cover?

While there’s no waiting period for specified accidental injuries, Rebecca says illnesses come with a 30-day waiting period, while for cruciate ligament conditions (a condition where the knee joint breaks down, tears or ruptures), a six-month waiting period applies.

However, pre-existing conditions aren’t covered by HCF Pet Insurance. "If your pet already has a condition, or a condition arises during a waiting period, that condition won’t be covered," says Rebecca. It’s also worth noting that some other exclusions apply. 

When is the best time to get pet insurance?

Getting pet insurance when your furry friend is a puppy or kitten and continuing it throughout their life is a good way to reduce the chance of your pet developing pre-existing conditions prior to the start of the pet insurance policy, or during any waiting periods.

Pets as young as eight-weeks-old and as old as nine-years-old can be covered.

Save up to 15% on pet insurance as an HCF member^#

We’ll help cover your furry family members with discounted rates on pet insurance. If you have a cat or dog, HCF Pet Insurance can help with vet bills, providing up to 80% back on eligible vet bills.