What's covered by Dog Insurance?

Benefits and features (per dog).
Pre-existing conditions are excluded.
Overall annual limit $12,000
(sub-limits apply)
% of eligible vet bill reimbursed Up to 80%
Excess (per condition)  $100
Entry-age limit Over 8 weeks and under 9 years (if you maintain your dog’s cover, they can be continue to be insured past 9 years of age)
Accidental injury
(2-day waiting period)
Yes
Illness
(30-day waiting period)
Yes
Consultation fees Yes
Prescribed medication Yes
Diagnostic testing Yes
Surgery Yes
Orthopaedic conditions
(Up to $4,000 per period of cover)
Yes
Cruciate ligament conditions
(6-month waiting period up to $2,600 per period of cover)
Yes
Hospitalisation Yes
Chronic conditions Yes
Hereditary and congenital conditions Yes
Cancer treatments Yes
Tick paralysis
(30-day waiting period up to $1,500 per period of cover)
Yes
Snake attacks
(Up to $1,200 per period of cover)
Yes
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Terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. For full details, please read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Common dog illnesses and injuries

Budget Direct Dog Insurance covers a wide range of illnesses and accidental injuries (except pre-existing ones). They include common ones like:

Illnesses

  • Arthritis
  • Cancer
  • Cataracts
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Dermatitis
  • Ear infection
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Heart disease
  • Pancreatitis
  • Skin allergy

Accidental injuries

  • Allergic reactions
  • Broken bones (e.g. after being hit by a car)
  • Burns or electrocution
  • Cuts, grazes and lacerations
  • Dog bites
  • Heat stroke
  • Poisoning (e.g. snail bait)
  • Snake bite
  • Torn dew claw (nail)

What’s not covered

There are certain things Budget Direct Dog Insurance does not cover (called ‘exclusions’).

The following list shows some of these exclusions:

  • elective treatment (including cosmetic surgery)
  • vaccinations
  • treatment during the waiting period
  • commercial and occupational animals; we do insure assistance animals, such as guide dogs.

For the full list of exclusions, please read the Product Disclosure Statement.

Find out more

The information on this page is a summary only. For all the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions, please read the Product Disclosure Statement.

How to make a claim

If your dog gets sick or injured and you need to make a claim, we’re here to help. Make a claim on your pet insurance policy

Frequently asked questions

Which types of pets do you insure?

Budget Direct Pet Insurance covers only dogs and cats.

There are certain types of dogs and cats we do not insure, namely:

  • breeding animals
  • certain working dogs (e.g. dogs used for racing, organised fighting, law enforcement, guarding or pig hunting); we do insure assistance dogs, such as guide dogs
  • banned or restricted breeds of dog
  • declared dangerous dogs.
Can I take my dog to any vet?

Yes — Budget Direct Pet Insurance customers can take their dog to any qualified and registered vet in Australia.

How much of my vet bill will be covered?

Budget Direct Pet Insurance covers up to 80% of the cost of your eligible vet bills — up to the overall annual benefit limit or sub-limit shown on your Policy Schedule and less any applicable excess.

For example, if a car hits your dog and breaks its leg and you receive a surgery bill of $3,000, we’ll reimburse you as follows:

80% of the vet bill: $2,400

Minus the excess: $100

Total reimbursed to you: $2,300

Note that an annual benefit sub-limit of $4,000 applies to surgery for broken legs and other orthopaedic conditions.

If I make a claim, will I have to pay an excess?

Yes — you will pay a $100 excess once for each unrelated condition during any one period of cover. For further treatments for a related condition during the same period of cover there is no excess.

For example, if your dog needs treatment for diabetes twice during the 12-month policy period, you’ll be required to pay the excess for the first claim for that condition, but not the second.

Similarly, if your dog develops a condition that’s related to one you’ve already made a claim for (e.g. diabetic retinopathy stemming from diabetes), you won’t have to pay another excess.

Each time you renew your annual policy, the excess will be reset (i.e. the next time you make a claim for a related illness or injury, you’ll be required to pay the excess).

How can I pay for my pet insurance?

You can pay for your Budget Direct Pet Insurance premium by direct debit from your bank account, credit card or debit card (Visa or Mastercard).

You can pay monthly or annually (the second option is the most economical).