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When Australian dog owners ask what to look for in mid-cover pet insurance, the answer sits in the fine print. Sub-limits, waiting periods and your excess decide how much a plan pays back when your dog is sick or hurt. Read these three things closely and you will know whether a mid-level plan fits your dog.
What is mid cover pet insurance?
Mid cover sits between accident-only protection and top-level plans. It usually covers both accidents and illnesses with a moderate annual limit. The PetsOnMe Classic Plan is our mid-level plan. It covers accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, cruciate ligament injuries, tests, surgery and hospitalisation for eligible conditions, up to $10,000 a year.
Sub-limits: the caps inside your cap
Your annual limit is the most your plan will pay in a year. A sub-limit is a smaller cap that applies to one type of treatment or condition within that total.
For example, the PetsOnMe Classic Plan covers hereditary conditions with a yearly sub-limit, and age rules apply. That means hereditary treatment is covered up to a set amount each year, even if you have plenty left in your overall limit.
When you compare mid-level plans, ask:
- Which conditions or treatments have their own sub-limit?
- Does a sub-limit apply per condition or per year?
- Are there age rules attached to any benefit?
The exact amounts are set out in the Product Disclosure Statement.
Waiting periods: when cover actually starts
A waiting period is the time between getting covered and being able to claim for a certain type of condition. Accidents usually have the shortest wait. Some conditions, like hereditary conditions and cruciate ligament injuries, have longer waiting periods.
Waiting periods matter because any signs of illness that appear during them may be treated as pre-existing, and pre-existing conditions are not covered. Getting covered early, while your dog is healthy, gives you the most protection. Pets can join PetsOnMe from 6 weeks old.
If you are switching insurers, PetsOnMe waives waiting periods when you have held similar cover elsewhere for 12 months or more with no break.
Excess: what you pay at claim time
Your excess is the amount taken off your claim before your benefit is paid. With PetsOnMe you choose $100, $200 or $300.
A higher excess usually means lower regular payments, while a lower excess means you get more back each time you claim. If your dog is young and healthy, a higher excess may suit you. If you expect to claim more often, a lower excess can make sense.
Your mid cover fine print checklist
Other exclusions to read
Mid-level plans still leave some things out. PetsOnMe plans do not cover pre-existing conditions, congenital conditions, routine and preventative care, elective procedures, breeding and pregnancy, behavioural problems or dental illness. If dental cover matters to you, the Deluxe Plan adds select dental illness cover and a higher limit of up to $20,000 a year.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sub-limit in pet insurance?
A sub-limit is a cap on a specific type of treatment or condition that sits inside your overall annual limit.
Does a higher excess lower my regular payments?
Generally, yes. Choosing a higher excess usually reduces your regular payments, but you receive less back on each claim.
Can waiting periods be waived?
Yes. PetsOnMe waives waiting periods if you switch from an insurer you have been with for 12 months or more, with similar cover and no break.
Which PetsOnMe plan is mid cover?
The Classic Plan is our mid-level plan, covering accidents and illnesses up to $10,000 a year.
Ready to get covered?
You can compare PetsOnMe plans online in a few minutes, or call our team on 1300 489 873 for a chat about the right level of protection for your dog.
This article is general information only and doesn’t take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. PetsOnMe pet insurance is issued by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 83 169 311 193, AFSL 523921) and distributed by Pets On Me Insurance Pty Limited (ABN 42 650 975 554, AR 1288975), an Authorised Representative of POMI Financial Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 700171). Limits, sub-limits, exclusions and waiting periods apply. Read the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination at petsonme.com.au before deciding.
