Routine care is one of the biggest areas of confusion when it comes to pet insurance. Vaccinations, parasite prevention, desexing and annual health checks are all essential for your pet’s wellbeing, but they’re usually not included in standard policies.
This often comes as a surprise, particularly if you’re choosing a policy for the first time.
Here’s a closer look at what routine care means, why it isn’t usually included in pet insurance, and another way to budget for these regular costs.
What is routine care for pets?
Routine care includes the regular treatments your pet needs to stay healthy throughout their life. These are the appointments or costs you can usually plan for ahead of time, rather than care that’s needed because of an unexpected illness or injury.
- Vaccinations and annual boosters
- Flea, tick, heartworm and worm prevention
- Annual health check-ups and wellness exams
- Desexing for cats and dogs
- Microchipping
- Preventative dental scale and clean
- Grooming
- Food
Routine care commonly appears under pet insurance exclusions in Australia. These treatments play an important role in keeping your pet healthy, but they’re treated differently from unexpected veterinary costs.
Does pet insurance cover routine care?
In most cases, no. Standard pet insurance policies don’t cover routine care because these are expected, ongoing healthcare costs rather than unexpected medical expenses.
Instead, pet insurance is designed to help cover the cost of unforeseen events, such as injuries or illnesses that could result in expensive veterinary treatment.
By excluding predictable, preventive care, insurers can keep premiums more affordable while providing financial protection against larger, unexpected vet costs.
That’s why routine care and pet insurance are typically offered separately. One helps with the regular care that keeps your pet healthy, while the other helps protect you from the cost of emergencies that often come with veterinary treatments.
What pet insurance does and doesn’t cover
Life with pets is full of surprises. One day you’re booking their annual check-up, the next you’re making an unexpected trip to the emergency vet because they swallowed something they shouldn’t have.
While pet insurance can provide valuable financial support when the unexpected happens, it’s important to understand that not every expense is covered.
Pet insurance can help with a wide range of eligible veterinary costs, although cover varies between policies. The table below outlines what’s commonly included and what generally sits outside standard cover.
| ✅ Pet Insurance Covers* (if not pre-existing) | ❌ Pet Insurance Does Not Cover* |
| Illnesses such as gut disorders and cancer | Annual vaccinations and boosters |
| injuries, including fractures, lacerations and trauma | Routine flea, tick and worm prevention |
| Emergency and specialist vet care | Microchipping |
| Hereditary and congenital conditions | Desexing / neutering / spaying |
| Surgery and hospitalisation | Routine dental scale and clean |
| Diagnostic tests, from X rays and CT scans to blood tests | Annual health check-ups |
| Prescription medication for covered conditions | Preventative treatments (heartworm, parasite control) |
| Specialist referrals | Grooming |
| Specialised therapies (optional benefit) | Prescription diet food (routine) |
What does routine care cover?
Routine care may not be covered by standard pet insurance, but there are still ways to make these regular expenses more manageable.
A Knose Pet Care Plan can help with eligible routine care expenses. It includes many of the routine treatments and preventive care your pet needs to stay healthy.
Unlike pet insurance, a Knose Pet Care Plan is not an insurance product — it’s a membership plan administered by Knose Care Pty Ltd (ABN 96 619 770 973) that helps you budget for routine costs.
See the table below for an overview of the benefits included with a Knose Pet Care Plan.
| *What’s Included | Detail |
| 24/7 Pet Health Hotline | Unlimited access to a registered vet nurse by phone or online chat — free with every plan. (Also available to Knose Pet Insurance policy-holders!) |
| Home-delivered parasite protection | Flea, tick (incl. paralysis tick), heartworm*, intestinal worms*, mange & mites — delivered to your door |
| $100 annual care allowance* | Reimbursed for: vaccinations, health checks, desexing, microchipping, prescription diets, cremation or burial, and more |
| No condition limits on allowance* | Use the $100 for whatever your pet needs — no sub-categories or per-item caps |
| Flat monthly fee | Predictable, spread cost — no large upfront bills for preventative care |
| No lock-in contract | Flexible plans — cancel or change as needed |
You don’t have to choose between pet insurance and a Knose Pet Care Plan. They’re complementary products that work together to support different aspects of your pet’s healthcare.
Together, they can help cover everything from a $150 annual vaccination to a $22,000 emergency, giving you more comprehensive support throughout your pet ownership journey!
With Knose offering both, it’s easy to combine routine care with protection against the unexpected.
💡 See our comprehensive FAQ on pet insurance and routine care to better understand your cover and options.
Find the right cover for your pet’s needs
Being a pet owner comes with plenty of rewarding moments, along with the responsibility of planning for your pet’s healthcare. Knowing the difference between pet insurance and a Pet Care Plan can help you choose a cover that suits your needs and avoid unexpected surprises later.
