For many Australian pet owners, insurance is worth considering. It provides a way to manage large, unexpected vet bills for accidents or illnesses, ensuring you can choose the best medical care for your pet without facing severe financial difficulty.
What happens when your pet gets sick or hurt?
Most of us can budget for routine care like check ups and vaccinations. But what happens when something unexpected occurs? A playful tumble in the park could result in a cruciate ligament injury, or a sudden illness could require specialist diagnostics and ongoing treatment. These situations can be stressful for both you and your pet.
The cost of veterinary care in Australia is rising, driven by incredible advances in medical technology that can save more pets than ever before. While this is wonderful news, it means that a single accident or illness can lead to vet bills costing thousands of dollars. For many families, facing a bill of that size on short notice is a huge challenge. This is where having a reliable pet insurance policy can make all the difference.
How can pet insurance help you?
Pet insurance can help by covering a significant portion of these unexpected costs. At Trupanion, our policy is designed to be there for you during these tough moments. We provide 90% cover for eligible new, unexpected injuries and illnesses*. This allows you to focus on what’s most important: your pet’s recovery.
Imagine your vet recommends a vital surgery. With a Trupanion policy, your decision can be based purely on what’s best for your furry family member, not on the cost. It means you can say ‘yes’ to the best care available, providing you with the confidence that you are doing everything you can for your pet*.
How do you choose the right cover?
When looking at pet insurance, it’s important to find a policy that is simple to understand and provides comprehensive protection. Many policies have sub limits or payout caps that can be confusing and may leave you with unexpected out of pocket expenses.
Why does Trupanion have no payout limits*?
Trupanion offers one simple, robust plan for all new, unexpected injuries and illnesses. Most importantly, we have no payout limits. This means that if your pet develops a chronic condition that requires lifelong care, you can have the reassurance that your cover will not run out, for the life of your pet*. It’s one less thing to worry about when they need you most.
We believe your vet’s medical recommendation should be the only factor in your pet’s treatment, not an arbitrary limit in a policy. Your love for your pet is limitless, and we believe their medical care should be too.
What is the real cost of vet care in Australia?
It’s helpful to understand the potential costs you could face. While every situation is unique, advances in vet medicine mean there are more treatment options available, which can come with significant costs.
| Example Veterinary Service | Example Average Estimated Cost |
| Non emergency vet visit | $500 to $600 |
| Emergency treatments | Can run into the thousands |
| Cruciate ligament surgery | $4,000 to $8,000++ |
| Advanced diagnostics (e.g., MRI) | $2,500 to $5,000++ |
Note: These are illustrative estimates and actual costs can vary based on your location and your pet’s specific needs.
How do you choose the right cover?
When looking at pet insurance, it’s important to find a policy that is simple to understand and provides comprehensive protection that is right for you. Many policies have sub limits or payout caps that can be confusing and may leave you with unexpected out of pocket expenses.
Trupanion offers one simple, robust plan for all new, unexpected injuries and illnesses. Most importantly, we have no payout limits, ever. This means that if your pet develops a chronic condition that requires lifelong care, you can have the reassurance that your cover will not run out, for the life of your pet. It’s one less thing to worry about when they need you most.
What are the biggest vet costs I could face?
Routine checkups are usually affordable, but emergency care for an accident or treating a serious illness like cancer can cost thousands of dollars. Advanced surgery or diagnostic imaging like an MRI can also be very expensive for an average family budget.
Ready to feel confident about vet costs? Find out what your premium could be.
How does pet insurance work?
You pay a regular monthly amount, called a premium. If your pet has an unexpected accident or gets sick, the insurance company pays for a portion of the eligible vet bill. Trupanion, for example, covers 90% of eligible costs*!
What should I look for in a pet insurance policy?
When you compare policies, consider if these key aspects suit you:
- No payout limits: Does the policy does not have a cap on how much it will pay out each year or over your pet’s lifetime. This is very important for ongoing conditions.
- Simple cover: Consider a single, comprehensive plan that is easy to understand. This avoids confusion about what is or is not covered.
- Direct vet payments: Ask if the insurer can pay your vet directly through the extensive GapOnly®^ network. This means you may only have to pay your share of the bill, not the whole amount upfront.
Can I get help with the vet bill on the spot?
Yes. Through our partnership with GapOnly®^, Trupanion can pay your vet their share of the bill in minutes. This means you do not have to pay the full amount yourself and then wait to be reimbursed. You can focus on your pet, not paperwork.
*Terms, conditions and waiting periods apply. Conditions that occurred prior to insurance or during the applicable waiting period may be excluded. Lifetime cover and excess is only applicable for pets that remain continually covered by Trupanion with no break in cover. See PDS for details. ^GapOnly® is a trademark owned by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd.