What's covered by Cat Insurance?

Benefits and features (per cat).
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 cat’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 cat illnesses and injuries

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

Illnesses

  • Cancer
  • Cat flu
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Diabetes
  • Ear infection
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Skin allergy
  • Urinary tract disease

Accidental injuries

  • Bite wounds
  • Burns or electrocution
  • Cuts, grazes and lacerations
  • Drowning
  • Eye trauma
  • Fractures and ligament damage
  • Heat stroke
  • Poisoning (e.g. snail bait)
  • Torn or broken nails

What’s not covered

There are certain things Budget Direct Cat 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.

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 cat 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

Can I take my cat to any vet?

Yes — Budget Direct Pet Insurance customers can take their cat 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 annual benefit limit or sub-limit shown on your insurance certificate and less any applicable excess.

For example, if your cat needs treatment for diabetes mellitus and you receive a 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

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

Yes — a $100 excess applies once per related condition claimed per year.

For example, if your cat needs treatment for kidney disease 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 cat develops a condition that’s related to one you’ve already made a claim for (e.g. a bladder infection stemming from kidney disease), 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).

What is an orthopaedic condition?

An ‘orthopaedic condition’ is any condition of the bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and joints.  

Common orthopaedic illnesses in dogs and/or cats include:

  • hip dysplasia
  • intervertebral disc disease
  • patella luxation
  • elbow dysplasia.

Claims for orthopaedic conditions are subject to a waiting period of two days (accidental injury) and 30 days (illness) and an annual  benefit sub-limit of $4,000.

(The exception are cruciate ligament conditions, which have a waiting period of six months and an annual sub-limit of $2,600.)