If you think pet insurance is just another monthly bill, think again. All savvy Australian pet owners know that a pet insurance premium is more than just a number. It can provide the financial safety net to protect your furry family member and your wallet when you need it most.
This beginner’s guide will help you understand how pet insurance quotes work in Australia, the key factors that influence pricing, and why choosing a flexible, transparent coverage from Knose can be beneficial to your budget and pet’s needs.
Whether you would like to insure a lively puppy or a calm senior cat, you’ll learn how to get the best value without compromising protection.
- What is a Pet Insurance Quote?
- What Impacts your Pet Insurance Quote?
- The Real Cost of Cheap Pet Insurance
- Why Knose Pet Insurance Quotes Are Different
- Real Pet Insurance Quotes from Knose
- How to Get the Most Accurate Pet Insurance Quote
- How to Lower Your Pet Insurance Premium Without Compromising Quality
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a pet insurance quote?
A pet insurance quote is an estimated amount of how much you’ll pay to insure your pet. It’s calculated using several variables related to your pet’s characteristics, your location and the coverage options you select.
If you’re wondering why your pet insurance quote isn’t just a flat rate, think about how other types of insurance work. Just like insuring your car, your home, or your pet, the cost is shaped by risk profile of your pet, the level of cover you choose, and optional benefits.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison to show just how much pet insurance in Australia has in common with other familiar insurance policies:
| Feature | Car Insurance | Home Insurance | Pet Insurance |
| What impacts the quote | – Vehicle model and year – Driving history – Location – Level of cover (third-party vs comprehensive) | – Property value – Location (e.g., prone to flood, bushfire zone) – Cover type (only building, only contents, or both) | – Pet type (dog or cat) – Breed – Age – Location (e.g., rural or urban) – Level of cover |
| Optional benefits | – Roadside assistance – Hire car | – Portable contents – Accidental damage – Flood cover | – Dental treatment – Behavioural therapies – Specialised therapies |
| Risk-based factors | – Younger/inexperienced drivers – High-performance cars | – High-risk zones – High-value items | – Older pets – Breeds with potential health issues |
Understanding this comparison can help you see your pet insurance quote for what it really is, a personalised financial safety net instead of a generic number you will get in a monthly bill.
Pet insurance in Australia follows the same logic as those for car and home insurance: higher risk or more cover means a higher premium.
The key to value isn’t just getting the cheapest quote. It’s about finding the balance between cost and coverage so you can better protect your pet and your budget.
Pet insurance terms to know when getting a quote
There are many important terms to know when reviewing your pet insurance quote. We know it can be daunting at first so we’ve compiled a list of Pet Insurance Terms for pet owners.
The following three core terms are pretty common in nearly all Australian pet insurance quotes. They are essential to know because they directly affect your coverage value and out-of-pocket costs:
- Annual Limit: The maximum amount you can claim during your policy period
- Annual Excess: The amount you pay out of your pocket per year before the insurer contributes.
- Benefit Percentage: The percentage of eligible costs the insurer reimburses you after excess.
💡Emergency vet bills in Australia can range from $200 to $400 for the initial visit, before any diagnostics, treatments, or medications are even added.
What impacts your pet insurance quote?
Several factors influence how much your pet insurance quote will be. Understanding these helps you make smart decisions and avoid surprises when you apply for a policy.
Pet details
- Pet Type: Dog insurance quotes are typically higher than cat insurance quotes. On average, dogs tend to have more active lifestyles and need more veterinary care or costly treatments.
- Breed: Some breeds are genetically predisposed to specific conditions. For example, Bulldogs are prone to respiratory issues and Maine Coons may be prone to hip issues.
- Age: Older pets are more likely to develop chronic conditions like arthritis or diabetes, so insurance costs generally increase as your pet grows older.
Where you live in Australia
Vet costs also vary depending on your region. Metropolitan areas typically have higher vet fees due to higher overheads, while rural areas may have fewer specialists and limited emergency options.
While vet costs may be lower in rural areas, pets can face greater exposure to risks like snake bites, roaming accidents, or limited access to emergency care. Your postcode affects your pet insurance quote not only based on cost of treatment, but also the likelihood of needing vet treatment.
Your chosen cover level
When reviewing pet insurance, these three key factors have the greatest impact on both your coverage and your premium. Most traditional insurers provide pre-determined packages in the form of fixed tiered plans, so pet owners ended up choosing a package that balances cost with protection.
Knose, on the other hand, gives pet owners the freedom to adjust these according to their preferred coverage and financial situation.
- Annual limit: Choosing a higher annual limit generally offers more financial protection throughout the policy period. However, this usually comes with a higher monthly premium.
⬆️ Annual Limit = ⬆️ Coverage + ⬆️ Monthly Premium
- Benefit percentage: A higher benefit percentage means your insurer reimburses more of each eligible vet bill after the excess is paid, reducing your out-of-pocket costs per claim. However, it can result in a higher premium.
⬆️ Benefit Percentage = ⬇️ Out-of-Pocket Costs per Claim + ⬆️ Monthly Premium
- Annual excess: Opting for a higher annual excess can reduce your monthly premium, but increases the amount you pay out-of-pocket before the insurer starts covering costs. With Knose, it applies once per policy period.
⬆️ Annual Excess = ⬇️ Monthly Premium + ⬆️ Out-of-Pocket Costs if You Claim
Optional Benefits
With many traditional pet insurers, optional benefits are often bundled into fixed-tiered packages, meaning you can’t pick and choose what you actually want. You may end up paying more for a higher cover you don’t want, just to access one or two features.
In contrast, Knose lets you tailor your policy with optional benefits. You can review your policy annually to add or remove Optional Benefits, but you can only add Optional Benefits if your pet is younger than 3 years old at the time of renewal. Knose Optional Benefits include:
- Dental illness treatment: Covers disease-related issues. Excludes routine cleanings and elective dental work.
- Behavioural conditions: Important for dogs or cats with anxiety or aggression.
- Specialised therapies: Useful for the recovery of active pets.
Your decision to include Optional Benefits should be based on your pet’s lifestyle, breed, and age, to avoid paying for unnecessary coverage.
The real cost of cheap pet insurance
While price is important, a cheaper pet insurance premium can often come with significant drawbacks.
- Overlooking the exclusions or ineligibility for costly treatments you assumed were covered.
- Not paying attention to sub-limits might mean your reimbursements are capped for specific bills like surgery or diagnostics, leaving you to pick up the difference.
- Also, selecting a policy simply because it offers the most optional benefits can mean paying higher monthly premiums for coverage you don’t want.
💡Always compare pet insurance quotes based on what they include or exclude from the cover, and not just what they cost.
Why Knose Pet Insurance Is Different
Knose has designed pet insurance to be straightforward, flexible, and built around what matters to you and your pet. Here’s what sets Knose Pet Insurance apart:
- No sub-limits, ever: We keep things simple so that there are no confusing caps on treatments or types of care. You’re covered up to your chosen annual limit.
- Clear, upfront pricing: No surprises or hidden fees.
- Tailored cover: At annual renewals, you can include or remove the Optional Benefits, which include dental illness treatment, behavioural conditions, and specialised therapies (but you can only add Optional Benefits if your pet is younger than 3 years old at the time of renewal).
- Flexible plan choices: Choose your annual limit, benefit percentage, and annual excess to suit your budget and your pet’s needs.
- 24/7 Pet Health Hotline: Speak with registered vet nurses anytime for advice, reassurance, and support, even when the clinic’s closed.
- Industry Leader: Knose is one of the most awarded pet insurance providers in Australia.
With Knose, your pet insurance cover can reflect what you want for your pet and not what someone else thinks you should have.
Real pet insurance quotes from Knose: What Australian pet owners actually pay in 2025
Let’s take a look at some real pet insurance quotes from Knose that illustrate typical costs:
Cocker Spaniel Puppy in Western Australia
- Small pet
- Female
- Under 1 year old
- Location: Duncraig, WA 6023
- Annual Excess: $200
- Annual Premium: $720 to $2,659
- If you choose Knose Pet Care Wellness Plan : $287 to $383
- Total Annual Cost of Knose Pet Insurance, plus Wellness Plan: approximately $1,007 to $3,042
Burmese Cat in Queensland
- Small pet
- Female
- Less than 2 years old
- Location: The Gap, QLD 4061
- Annual Excess: $200
- Annual Premium: $330 to $1,213
- If you choose Knose Pet Care Wellness Plan: $239 to $335
- Total Annual Cost of Knose Pet Insurance, plus Wellness Plan: approximately $569 to $1,549
4-Year-Old Labrador in New South Wales
- Medium-Large pet
- Male
- 4 years old
- Location: Cherrybrook, NSW 2126
- Annual Excess: $200
- Annual Premium: $788 to $2,377
- If you choose Knose Pet Care Wellness Plan: $311 to $419
- Total Annual Cost of Knose Pet Insurance, plus Wellness Plan: approximately $1,100 to $2,796
These real Knose pet insurance quote ranges provide insight into what Australian pet owners are paying in 2025, giving you a clear idea of what to expect when getting your own policy.
How to Get the Most Accurate Pet Insurance Quote
When requesting pet insurance quotes from providers, your goal should be to see the most accurate costs and coverage benefits. To ensure your quote reflects your actual needs:
- Be 100% honest about your pet’s breed, age, and health conditions. Pro-tip is to keep a detailed medical history of your pet!
- Match the coverage to your pet’s risk profile instead of simply selecting the lowest premium.
- Plan for the long term. Expect premiums to rise as your pet grows older so choose pet insurers with fair renewal policies.
- Disclose any pre-existing symptoms and conditions as required to avoid denied claims.
💡Knose lets you review and update your pet insurance annually at renewal so you can easily adjust your coverage as your pet’s needs change.
How to Lower Your Pet Insurance Premium Without Compromising Quality
You don’t have to break the bank to protect your pet! Here are expert tips to reduce your premium without compromising on essential cover:
- Increase your annual excess: A higher excess lowers monthly premiums but means higher out of pocket costs if you claim. This is a smart option if your pet is generally healthy and less likely to have injuries or illnesses.
- Lower your benefit percentage: Opting for 70% rather than 90% reimbursement could work for owners who are comfortable with paying some out-of-pocket costs. This could also be beneficial for pets with manageable conditions and don’t need costly vet treatments.
- Choose to have Optional Benefits: Knose lets you add or remove the Optional Benefits at annual review if your pet is eligible. Only choose to include this if it truly matches your pet’s needs, so you avoid paying for benefits you don’t want.
- Adjust annual limits wisely: Balances financial safety with affordability. Avoid over-insuring with unnecessarily high limits but ensure you have enough cover for potential emergencies or chronic conditions.
- Stay up to date on your pet’s details: Providing accurate information about your pet’s background helps ensure your cover reflects their true risk, preventing unexpectedly high premiums later.
By using these strategies and Knose offers policies with customisable options, you can maintain quality coverage while managing your pet insurance costs wisely.
💡Your goal for a good pet insurance is to reduce your overall out-of-pocket costs, not just monthly premium costs.
Every year, many Australians welcome a dog or cat into their homes. While those wagging tails and affectionate purrs bring incomparable amounts of joy, they can also bring unexpected vet bills that pet insurance can help you with. Your pet insurance can provide you with the protection and peace of mind when your pet needs care.
Knose offers Australian pet owners simple, flexible, and transparent plans designed with you and your pet’s benefit in mind.
Protect your pet today and reach out for a Knose pet insurance quote.
Get rates for your pet
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What’s the typical cost of pet insurance in Australia?
A: It varies widely. Most pet owners pay between $22 and $114+ per month, depending on their pet and coverage. Knose allows you to customise your policy to fit your budget and preferred coverage.
Q: Does pet insurance cover pre-existing symptoms and conditions?
A: Most pet insurance providers don’t cover pre-existing symptoms and conditions.
Q: Are wellness plans (that is separate from pet insurance) worth it?
A: Many pet insurance policies exclude routine care, making wellness plans a valuable option for covering regular vet visits like vaccinations and deworming. Knose offers a Pet Care Plan designed to make these routine check-ups hassle-free and more affordable.
Q: Can I change my annual excess or benefit percentage later?
A: Yes. Knose lets you adjust your coverage at annual policy renewals to fit your pet’s changing needs.
Q: What’s the difference between accident-only and extensive pet insurance?
A: Generally, accident-only plans covers sudden injuries, and extensive plans covers illness and chronic conditions, as well as injuries. Knose Pet Insurance offers injury & illness coverage, providing broad protection for your pet’s health needs. Knose also offers a separate Pet Care Plan for routine and wellness benefits.
Post by Knose Pet Insurance in collaboration with Marie Boncan
Marie grew up surrounded by animals, but caring for Kublai, her Yorkie-Maltese mix with a liver shunt, sparked a deeper commitment to pet health. Drawing from her experience with a pet who has special needs and her strength in academic writing, she creates insightful content that shines a light on key pet care topics for Knose Pet Insurance as a freelancer.
