A clear, side-by-side look at the pet insurance plans available in Melbourne — what they cover, the annual limits, the co-payment and the exclusions that matter. Pick up to three and compare them line by line.
Bow Wow Meow (administered by PetSure; underwritten by Hollard)
Bow Wow Meow's Nose-to-Tail Cover is distinguished by its no-sub-limits structure — every dollar of the chosen annual limit (up to A$30,000) is available for any covered condition. Complimentary online vet consultations (myPetPass) and a wide choice of limits and reimbursement rates add flexibility. The main trade-off is that dental and routine care are add-ons, not base inclusions.
Budget Direct (underwritten by Auto & General Insurance Company Limited)
Budget Direct offers three straightforward tiers with a fixed 80% reimbursement rate and low excess options (A$100/A$200). The Plus tier's A$25,000 annual limit and generous orthopaedic sub-limit stand out, and the 15% first-year online discount makes it competitively priced for new policyholders. Sub-limits on lower tiers and the absence of dental cover are the main trade-offs.
Annual limit
A$12,000 (Essential) / A$15,000 (Comprehensive) / A$25,000 (Plus) per year
Co-pay
20% (fixed 80% benefit percentage across all plans)
Indicative premium
From ~A$16/month (Essential, young cat); ~A$21/month (Essential, young small-breed dog); ~A$69/month (Plus, senior large-breed dog) — indicative; confirm via quote at budgetdirect.com.au
Three clearly structured tiers up to A$25,000/yr
Low excess options (A$100 or A$200 per condition)
Covers cruciate ligament, orthopaedic, tick paralysis and snake attacks
Sub-limits apply on Essential and Comprehensive tiers
RSPCA Pet Insurance Pty Ltd (underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd from 1 April 2026)
RSPCA PetFlex combines a high customisable annual limit (up to A$35,000) with a no-sub-limits structure and wide flexibility on benefit percentage and excess. A portion of every premium funds RSPCA welfare programs. The main caveat: waiting-period durations are not clearly published online — reviewing the PDS is essential before committing.
Annual limit
Customisable — up to A$35,000 per year
Co-pay
Customisable: 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of eligible vet costs
Indicative premium
Quote required — confirm at quote.rspcapetinsurance.org.au
Annual limit customisable up to A$35,000
No sub-limits — maximum flexibility
Highly customisable: limit, benefit % and excess all adjustable
Waiting period durations not clearly published — must review PDS
Petsy (underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Limited, ABN 83 169 311 193)
Petsy is a newer Australian entrant with standout waiting-period terms (1-day accident, 14-day illness) and a meaningful kitten/puppy bonus rewarding early enrolment with a free annual-limit uplift. Flexible excess options and 40%+ premium savings at A$500 excess make it attractive for budget-conscious owners. The absence of a routine-care add-on and lower top limit (A$25k vs A$30k–A$35k at rivals) are the main trade-offs.
Annual limit
A$5,000 / A$10,000 / A$25,000 per year (no sub-limits on any tier)
Co-pay
10% or 20% (80% or 90% benefit percentage; choose at purchase)
Indicative premium
From ~A$28/month (1-yr-old Cavoodle, A$10k limit, 80%, A$200 excess); ~A$49/month (1-yr-old Golden Retriever) — indicative; confirm via quote at petsy.com.au
No sub-limits — full annual limit for any covered condition
1-day accident waiting period
Short 14-day illness waiting period vs. the common 30 days
Top annual limit (A$25,000) lower than Bow Wow Meow (A$30k) and RSPCA (A$35k)
Knose (underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, AFSL 523921)
Knose offers a single customisable accident-and-illness policy with no sub-limits, three annual-limit options up to A$25,000, and an annual (not per-claim) excess. Short 1-day accident and 14-day illness waiting periods, plus cover for dental illness and behavioural conditions after an exclusion period, make it a flexible mid-market option. Entry age caps and third-party liability need confirming from the PDS.
Annual limit
A$7,500 / A$12,500 / A$25,000 per year (choose at purchase; no sub-limits)
Co-pay
10%, 20% or 30% (90%, 80% or 70% benefit percentage; choose at purchase)
Indicative premium
Quote required — confirm at knose.com.au
No sub-limits on any tier
Annual excess applies once per year, not per claim
Short waiting periods (1 day accident / 14 days illness)
Top annual limit (A$25,000) lower than some rivals (A$30k–A$35k)
6-month exclusion period for specified, dental and behavioural conditions (pets 1 year+)
Medibank (administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd; underwritten by PetSure for policies from 30 August 2023)
Medibank pairs three clearly tiered PetSure-administered plans (up to A$30,000/yr at 90% on Pet Max) with practical claiming features — GapOnly on-the-spot claims, 24/7 vet chat and a 10% discount for Medibank/ahm health members. Sub-limits on cruciate, hip, tick paralysis and consultations distinguish it from no-sub-limit rivals, so large orthopaedic claims can hit caps.
Annual limit
A$10,000 (Pet Protect) / A$25,000 (Pet Plus) / A$30,000 (Pet Max) per year
Co-pay
30% (Protect) / 20% (Plus) / 10% (Max) — benefit percentage is fixed per tier
Indicative premium
Quote required — confirm at medibank.com.au/pet-insurance (10% discount for Medibank/ahm health members)
Pet Circle Insurance (underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd; administered by The Pet Insurance Company)
Pet Circle Insurance (from the online pet retailer Pet Circle) offers one customisable policy with no sub-limits up to A$30,000/yr, a once-a-year excess and a 360º Care add-on for dental, behavioural and physio cover. Waiting periods and excess amounts are not published on the public site, so the PDS must be reviewed before relying on this entry.
Annual limit
A$10,000 / A$17,500 / A$30,000 per year (no sub-limits; limit cannot be increased after the policy starts)
Co-pay
10%, 20% or 30% (90%, 80% or 70% reimbursement; choose at purchase)
Indicative premium
Quote required — confirm at petcircleinsurance.com.au
No sub-limits up to A$30,000/yr
Annual (not per-claim) excess
Three reimbursement options (70%/80%/90%)
Waiting periods not published on public site — must review PDS
Excess amount options not published — must review PDS
PD Insurance (a product of Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193, AFSL 523921)
PD Insurance (from the NZ-founded insurer, in Australia under Pacific International Insurance) offers three simply structured plans with a fixed 80% reimbursement, a per-event excess and — unusually for Australia — third-party liability cover on every plan. The accident-only plan accepts pets up to 11 years old. Top limit (A$20,000) and the restricted A$500 dental benefit are the main trade-offs.
Annual limit
A$5,000 (Accident) / A$10,000 (Classic) / A$20,000 (Deluxe) per year
Co-pay
20% (fixed 80% reimbursement)
Indicative premium
Quote required — confirm at pd.com.au
Third-party liability included on all plans
Per-event excess — no repeat excess for follow-up treatment
Accident-only plan available with entry up to age 11
Top annual limit (A$20,000) lower than most comprehensive rivals
The cheapest premium is rarely the best value. When comparing, look past the headline price at the parts that decide what you actually get back:
Annual limit — the most the plan pays per year. Higher limits matter for surgery and chronic illness.
Co-payment / co-insurance — the share of every bill you still pay. Often rises with your pet's age at enrolment.
Deductible / excess — a fixed amount deducted per claim or per year.
Exclusions — pre-existing, hereditary, dental and routine/preventive care are commonly excluded.
Waiting periods — illness cover usually starts weeks after you sign up.
Lifetime renewal — whether cover continues as your pet ages (crucial for older dogs).
Insuring a pet while young and healthy usually locks in lower co-payment and avoids pre-existing exclusions later. If your pet already has a condition, check exactly how each insurer treats it before buying.
Before you claim
Find a vet in Melbourne
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