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If you’ve ever wondered, “How much should I expect to pay for pet insurance in Australia?” — you’re not alone. The price varies dramatically depending on your pet type, breed, location, age, and level of cover. Here’s what the data shows (as of 2025) and how to understand whether a quote is fair.
📊 Current Numbers: What the Market Says
- According to Finder across 24 Australian insurers, the average monthly premium is about $127. finder.com.au
- Canstar finds that for accident-and-illness policies, the average annual premiums are:
• Small dogs: ≈ $1,189
• Medium dogs: ≈ $1,197
• Large dogs: ≈ $1,288 Canstar - On more comprehensive plans (including routine care), Canstar reports:
• Small dogs: ≈ $1,422
• Medium dogs: ≈ $1,360
• Large dogs: ≈ $1,460 Canstar - Simpler policies (accident-only or limited-illness) typically fall in the $25 to $80/month range. Compare the Market+1
- Some resources cite a “low-end” range from $30 up to $130 per month, depending on the type of pet, breed, and plan. Yellow Pages
Why These Figures Vary So Much
That “average” number hides a lot of variation. Your actual premium depends on:
- Species & Breed — Dogs tend to cost more than cats, and purebreds or breeds with hereditary issues raise risk. Compare the Market+1
- Age — Older pets often cost significantly more to insure.
- Location — Veterinary costs vary by city, state or region.
- Level of Cover — Accident-only is cheapest, adding illness, hereditary, dental and routine care pushes price up. PetsOnMe+2Hepper Pet Resources+2
- Annual limits, excess, benefit %, optional extras — All of these toggle your price.
- Health history / pre-existing conditions — If your pet has had prior conditions, coverage or premiums may be affected.
Is $127/month “Too Much”?
Not if the cover is solid. If you’re getting:
- Up to 80% reimbursement on eligible vet bills
- Any licensed vet in Australia
- Generous annual benefit limits (e.g. $20,000)
- Breed-aware cover for hereditary conditions
…then that $127/month average might seem reasonable.
But if a quote costs that much and the benefits are weak (low limits, lots of exclusions), it’s not a good deal.
Ways to Lower Your Premium
- Start early — get insurance while your pet is young and healthy
- Opt for a higher excess (e.g. $200 or $300)
- Trim optional add-ons you don’t need
- Ensure your pet is desexed
- Bundle multiple pets under one policy
- Use online quotes and shop around — use the PetsOnMe Compare Cover Tool
- Pick a policy tier that matches your pet’s risk profile (Accident-only, Classic, Deluxe)
Want to See What You’ll Pay?
Get a custom quote via PetsOnMe Dog Insurance. That quote will reflect your pet’s breed, age, location, cover level and help you see whether $127/month is reasonable for you.
