Best Pet Insurance under 80 AUD per month
Pet insurance can be pricey, but it’s important to find a policy that offers good coverage while staying affordable. Sometimes, cheaper options lead to higher out-of-pocket costs. To help, we’ve reviewed top insurers with policies under 80 AUD per month and highlighted the best options for you. Here’s a summary of our findings:
- ✅ Does cheaper pet insurance mean less coverage?
- ✅ Best pet insurance under 80 AUD/month
- ✅ What’s covered in each policy?
- ✅ Evaluating premiums for plans <$80
- ✅ Understanding deductibles and out-of-pocket costs
- ✅ Comparing accident-only vs. comprehensive plans
and much, MUCH more!
Does Cheaper Pet Insurance Mean Less Coverage?
Sometimes, yes. When you consider the options available, you must understand how the cost of a policy correlates with the coverage provided.
Unfortunately, cheaper pet insurance plans often have reduced coverage, which impacts the financial support you receive when your pet requires medical care.
Lower Benefit Limits and Sub-limits
Cheaper policies have lower annual benefit limits and specific sub-limits for certain conditions. While your monthly premium is much lower, the maximum amount you can claim yearly for your pet is also lower.
For instance, some policies may cap claims at around $750 to $1,000 per incident, which isn’t always enough when your pet requires surgery, medication, or ongoing treatment.
Policy Exclusions
Pet insurance providers that offer low-cost plans often design policies that exclude coverage for illnesses. Instead, lower-cost policies typically only cover accidents.
Because most vet visits relate specifically to illness—such as ear infections, osteoarthritis, or skin allergies—these exclusions leave you unprotected, especially if your pet experiences frequent health issues.
Higher Excess Amounts
Lower premiums sound attractive, but they also come with higher expenses to give you reduced fortnightly, monthly, or annual premiums.
The excess when you claim can be extremely high, and you’ll need to pay this every time your pet is treated, making it costly when your pet requires frequent medical attention.
How Do I Balance Cost and Coverage?
While it’s tempting to go for a less expensive policy, you must evaluate whether its coverage will align with your pet’s current and potential healthcare needs.
Low-cost policies seem budget-friendly until you’re stuck with high excess amounts, low reimbursement rates, and expensive out-of-pocket expenses, regardless of whether it’s for emergencies or chronic conditions.
Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), do an online quote, and adjust flexible factors (excess and reimbursement rates) until you get to a premium that works for your budget while covering your pet.
📌 Read more about Pet Insurance under 100 AUD per month
Best Pet Insurance under 80 AUD per month
- Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance
- Everyday Pet Insurance
- Australian Unity Pet Insurance
- Budget Direct Pet Insurance
- Medibank Pet Insurance
What Does Each Policy Cover?
A notable benefit we noticed is that all five insurers offer accidents, illnesses, and optional benefits. However, exactly what’s covered depends on the insurer and plan. Here’s how they compare in terms of covered treatments, benefit limits, and optional extras.
Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance
Bow Wow Meow provides a single plan (Nose-to-Tail Cover) that can be customised based on annual limits, reimbursement percentages, and add-ons.
- Accidents and Illnesses are covered under the base plan with no sub-limits on certain conditions.
- Annual Benefit Limits: You can choose between $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000.
- Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, or 90% of eligible vet bills.
- Excess Options: $0 or higher, depending on the policyholder’s preference.
- Dental Coverage: Not included in the base plan but covered under the optional Booster Care add-on.
- Physiotherapy & Behavioral Therapy: Available through Booster Care, which offers up to $2,000 per year.
- Routine & Preventative Care: Only available as a separate non-insurance add-on for vaccinations and health checks.
Key Exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, elective surgeries, breeding-related expenses, and orthodontic treatments.
Everyday Pet Insurance
Everyday offers four plan levels: Basic, Standard, Comprehensive, and Comprehensive Plus.
- Accidents and Illnesses: All plans include accident and illness cover, with higher tiers covering congenital conditions.
- Annual Benefit Limits: $5,000 (Basic), $10,000 (Standard), $24,000 (Comprehensive), and $30,000 (Comprehensive Plus).
- Routine Care: Available for Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus plans as an add-on, covering vaccinations and flea prevention.
- Hospitalisation & Surgery: Covered across all plans, with higher tiers offering broader coverage.
- Emergency Boarding: Included in Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus plans.
- Multi-Pet Discount: 10% off for second and additional pets.
Key Exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, behavioral treatments, elective procedures, and breeding-related expenses.
Australian Unity Pet Insurance
Australian Unity offers four plan levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
- Accidents and Illnesses: Covered under all plans, with Gold and Platinum plans including dental illness and chronic conditions.
- Annual Benefit Limits: Varies by plan; Platinum offers up to $30,000.
- Reimbursement Rate: Up to 80% of vet bills.
- Dental Coverage: Included in Gold & Platinum plans.
- Preventative Care: Available as an optional add-on.
- Hospitalisation & Outpatient Care: Covered for eligible conditions.
- Discounts: 5% off for existing Australian Unity customers.
Key Exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, elective treatments, and behavioural therapy.
Budget Direct Pet Insurance
Budget Direct offers three plans: Essential, Comprehensive, and Plus.
- Accidents and Illnesses: Covered across all plans, with higher tiers and sub-limits for conditions like tick paralysis and cruciate ligament injuries.
- Annual Benefit Limits: $12,000 (Essential), $15,000 (Comprehensive), $25,000 (Plus).
- Reimbursement Rate: 80% across all plans.
- Routine Care: Available only with Comprehensive and Plus plans as an add-on for vaccinations and dental check-ups.
- Orthopedic & Joint Conditions: Covered, but sub-limits apply based on the selected plan.
- Emergency Boarding: Not included.
Key Exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, alternative therapies, behavioural issues, and elective surgeries.
Medibank Pet Insurance
Medibank offers three plans: Pet Protect, Pet Plus, and Pet Max.
- Accidents and Illnesses: Covered under all plans, with Pet Max offering the highest claim percentage (90%).
- Annual Benefit Limits: $10,000 (Pet Protect), $25,000 (Pet Plus), $30,000 (Pet Max).
- Routine Care: Available as an optional add-on.
- Dental Coverage: Included in Pet Max but optional for Pet Protect and Pet Plus.
- Hospitalisation & Surgery: Covered under all plans.
- Vet Support: 24/7 VetChat is included in every plan.
- Claims Processing: Available via GapOnly® at participating vets.
Key Exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, elective surgeries, cosmetic treatments, and breeding-related expenses.
Evaluating Premiums Across Providers – Plans <$80
While exact pricing will depend on your pet’s age, breed, species, and other factors, here’s an overview of plans below $80:
| 🔎 Insurer | 📌 Plan Name | 💴 Monthly Premium (AUD) | 💶 Annual Benefit Limit |
| 🐱 Bow Wow Meow | Standard Policy (No Add-Ons) | $59.93 | $20,000 |
| 🐱 Bow Wow Meow | With Routine Care Add-On | $69.36 | $20,000 |
| 🐶 Budget Direct | Essential Plan | $41.40 | $12,000 |
| 🐶 Budget Direct | Comprehensive Plan | $46.00 | $15,000 |
| 🐾 Everyday | Basic Plan | $45.90 | $5,000 |
| 🐾 Everyday | Standard Plan | $72.11 | $10,000 |
| 🐾 Everyday | Comprehensive Plan | $77.33 | $24,000 |
| 🐦 Australian Unity | Bronze Plan | $65.30 | $10,000 |
| 🐦 Australian Unity | Silver Plan | $78.50 | $15,000 |
| 🐸 Medibank | Pet Protect | $68.90 | $10,000 |
Understanding Annual Deductibles and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Most pet insurance policies have deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. You must pay these costs before the pet insurer covers the rest of the vet bill. Each pet insurer has a unique deductible structure and cost-sharing model.
Deductible and Out-of-Pocket Cost Comparison
| 🔎 Insurer | 💴 Deductible (Excess) Options | 📌 Reimbursement Rate | 💶 Annual Benefit Limits |
| 🥇 Bow Wow Meow | $0, $250, or higher | 70%, 80%, or 90% | $10,000, $20,000, $30,000 |
| 🥈 Everyday | $100 or $200 | 80% | $5,000 - $30,000 |
| 🥉 Australian Unity | $100 or $200 | Up to 80% | Varies, max $30,000 |
| 🏅 Budget Direct | $100 or $200 | 80% | $12,000 - $25,000 |
| 🎖️ Medibank | $0, $100, or $250 per condition | 70%, 80%, or 90% | $10,000 - $30,000 |
How Deductibles and Out-of-Pocket Costs Work Across Providers
Understanding how deductibles and out-of-pocket costs work across providers is key to managing your pet insurance expenses effectively.
Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance
- You can customise the deductible. You can choose between $0, $250, or higher.
- Reimbursement rates range from 70% to 90%, and you pay the remaining 10% to 30% of each claim.
- GapOnly® claims processing lets you pay only the difference upfront if your vet participates in the system.
- Out-of-pocket costs are lower for routine treatments if you choose higher reimbursement rates.
Everyday Pet Insurance
- Deductible options are $100 or $200, which are applied per claim.
- Reimbursement covers 80% of vet bills, leaving you 20% as an out-of-pocket expense.
- You can lower monthly premiums by choosing a higher deductible.
- Some treatments, like routine vet check-ups, aren’t covered under lower-tier plans, so you incur extra costs.
Australian Unity Pet Insurance
- Deductibles range between $100 and $200 per claim.
- Reimbursement is capped at 80% across plans.
- The highest-tier plans provide more comprehensive coverage, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for major procedures.
- Routine care is only available as an add-on, so preventative treatments require separate payments.
Budget Direct Pet Insurance
- Deductible choices: $100 or $200 per claim.
- You pay 20% of each claim, and Budget Direct reimburses 80%.
- The Essential plan has lower annual limits ($12,000), resulting in higher out-of-pocket costs for serious conditions.
- Routine care is only available with Comprehensive and Plus plans to increase coverage flexibility.
Medibank Pet Insurance
- Deductible options: $0, $100, or $250 per condition per policy period.
- Reimbursement rate varies by plan:
- Pet Protect: 70%
- Pet Plus: 80%
- Pet Max: 90%
- Lower deductible plans result in higher premiums but reduce out-of-pocket costs when you claim.
- No co-payment is required for covered vet consultations in higher-tier plans.
By carefully selecting your deductible and reimbursement rate, you can tailor your pet insurance plan to fit both your budget and your pet’s healthcare needs.
Evaluating Value for Money
It’s not just about the cost of your pet insurance policy but also the value for money and how much coverage justifies the cost. While some providers offer lower premiums, you get fewer benefits, or your out-of-pocket costs are sky-high. Other insurers have higher premiums but also broader coverage.
Here’s an insurer-by-insurer breakdown of where value is gained or lost.
Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance
Where It Provides Value:
- Customisable cover with annual limits of $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000.
- No sub-limits on conditions—you can use the full benefit for any treatment.
- GapOnly® compatibility reduces upfront vet costs.
- Fast claims processing, with 88% settled in one business day.
- 24/7 vet support is included free of charge.
Where It Falls Short:
- Routine care is not included and requires a paid add-on.
- Premiums can increase based on age and claims history.
Final Verdict: The lack of sub-limits and fast claims processing make this policy valuable if you want fewer payout restrictions, but routine care is an additional expense.
Everyday Pet Insurance
Where It Provides Value:
- Multiple plans, from Basic ($5,000 limit) to Comprehensive Plus ($30,000 limit).
- GapOnly® processing makes claim payouts faster at participating vets.
- Emergency boarding benefits provide financial relief in critical situations.
- 10% Woolworths monthly discount when you link an Everyday Rewards card.
Where It Falls Short:
- Routine care isn’t covered in lower-tier plans and requires an upgrade.
- Higher premiums over time, especially for breeds prone to health issues.
Final Verdict: A good balance of coverage and cost, but routine care benefits are limited unless you opt for higher plans.
Australian Unity Pet Insurance
Where It Provides Value:
- 80% reimbursement on vet bills, reducing personal expenses.
- Flexible plan options (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum).
- Existing Australian Unity members get a discount on pet insurance.
- myPetPass™ program offers discounts on pet essentials like food and medication.
- GapOnly® processing reduces the need for upfront vet payments.
Where It Falls Short:
- Dental coverage is only included in Gold and Platinum plans.
- Routine care requires an add-on.
Final Verdict: The discount for Australian Unity members and access to myPetPass™ savings make this a valuable option, but dental benefits require a plan upgrade.
Budget Direct Pet Insurance
Where It Provides Value:
- Competitive premiums, with the Essential plan starting at $41.40 monthly for dogs.
- 80% reimbursement on all plans, reducing vet costs.
- Higher-tier plans (Comprehensive & Plus) offer more protection for tick paralysis and snake bites.
- Routine care can be added for extra coverage.
Where It Falls Short:
- Lower-tier plans have stricter sub-limits on certain conditions.
- Emergency boarding isn’t included and will lead to higher personal costs in unexpected situations.
Final Verdict: A solid option for budget-conscious owners, but sub-limits on key conditions could result in higher out-of-pocket costs for serious treatments.
Medibank Pet Insurance
Where It Provides Value:
- Three plans are available, with Pet Max reimbursing up to 90% of vet bills.
- GapOnly® processing for immediate claims at participating vets.
- 24/7 VetChat access if you need medical advice.
- Routine and extra care add-ons cover preventative treatments and specialised therapies.
Where It Falls Short:
- Higher-tier plans are expensive compared to competitors.
- Dental care is not included in base plans—it requires an add-on.
Final Verdict: Strong coverage and high reimbursement rates, but more expensive than other options, especially if dental and routine care add-ons are included.
Flexibility in Policy Customization
How much you can customize your policy will determine whether you can lower your premium to below $80 while still meeting your pet’s medical needs. All five top insurers offer customization, but the flexibility differs.
| 🔎 Insurer | 💴 Adjustable Annual Limits | 📌 Reimbursement Rate Options | 💶 Deductible Choices | ❤️ Optional Add-Ons |
| 🥇 Bow Wow Meow | $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 | 70%, 80%, or 90% | $0, $250, higher excess | Routine Care, Booster Care |
| 🥈 Everyday | $5,000, $10,000, $24,000, or $30,000 | Fixed at 80% | $100 or $200 | Routine Care (Comprehensive plans only) |
| 🥉 Australian Unity | Varies by plan, max $30,000 | Fixed at 80% | Flexible excess options | Routine Care (Gold & Platinum plans only) |
| 🏅 Budget Direct | $12,000, $15,000, or $25,000 | Fixed at 80% | $100 or $200 | Routine Care (Comprehensive & Plus plans) |
| 🎖️ Medibank | $10,000, $25,000, or $30,000 | 70%, 80%, or 90% | $0, $100, or $250 | Routine Care, Extra Care |
Our Overall Assessment
Bow Wow Meow offers one of the most customizable policies, allowing you to adjust annual limits, choose a reimbursement rate, select your excess, and add optional care options like Routine and Booster Care. Everyday provides some flexibility, depending on the plan, allowing you to change annual limits and deductibles and add routine care, but the reimbursement rate is fixed at 80%.
Australian Unity offers moderate flexibility, letting you choose a plan based on the annual limits you need, adjust your deductible, and add Routine Care on Gold and Platinum plans, though the reimbursement rate remains fixed at 80%.
Budget Direct’s customization is mostly limited to plan selection, particularly in terms of annual limits, with a fixed reimbursement rate of 80%, but you can adjust your deductibles and choose whether to add Routine Care. Medibank stands out with high customization, offering the ability to adjust annual limits, reimbursement rates, and deductibles, along with options to add Routine Care and Extra Care.
Additional Benefits – Wellness Programs and Routine Care Options
Accident and illness coverage are at the core of most pet insurance policies. However, some insurers offer benefits beyond traditional coverage to add routine care add-ons and preventative health benefits. Not all insurers provide the same routine care benefits; some plans limit access to certain plan tiers.
Bow Wow Meow
- Offers two separate add-ons for both routine care and specialised treatments.
- Routine care is not part of standard coverage and must be purchased separately.
Everyday Pet Insurance
- Covers routine vaccinations, parasite prevention, and microchipping.
- No waiting period for routine care benefits.
- Available only for higher-tier plans (Comprehensive & Comprehensive Plus).
Australian Unity
- Covers preventative healthcare, vaccinations, and desexing.
- Routine care is not available on Bronze or Silver plans.
Budget Direct
- Covers routine check-ups, vaccinations, and parasite prevention.
- Routine care can only be added at renewal, limiting mid-term flexibility.
Medibank
- Covers routine care and specialised therapies like physiotherapy and acupuncture.
Available across all plans. - Higher-cost procedures like dental treatments require an Extra Care add-on.
Discounts and Special Offers
Apart from managing your premium by customising your cover, you can also benefit from discounts offered by pet insurance. However, discount availability, eligibility, and savings potential vary.
Discounts by Insurer
| 🔎 Insurer | 🅰️ Discount Type | 🅱️ Details |
| 🐶 Bow Wow Meow | Multi-Pet Discount | 10% off on second and subsequent pets |
| 🐶 Bow Wow Meow | Two Months Free for New Customers | Applied automatically for new policies when you use promo code BWMP2 |
| 🐶 Bow Wow Meow | Pet Essentials Discounts | Savings on pet food, medications, and wellness products through myPetPass™ |
| 🐱 Everyday Pet Insurance | Multi-Pet Discount | 10% off on second and subsequent pets |
| 🐱 Everyday Pet Insurance | Woolworths Discount | 10% off one Woolworths grocery shop per month (up to $600/year) |
| 🐱 Everyday Pet Insurance | Two Months Free Insurance | Available for new customers who link an Everyday Rewards Card |
| 🐱 Everyday Pet Insurance | 500 Everyday Rewards Points | Given for obtaining an online quote and signing up |
| 🐾 Australian Unity | Existing Customer Discount | 5% off pet insurance for existing Australian Unity members |
| 🐾 Australian Unity | Pet Essentials Discounts | 30% off pet prescriptions, 20% off flea/tick treatments, and 20% off premium pet food |
| 🐕 Budget Direct | New Policy Discount | 15% off first-year premiums for new policies purchased online |
| 🐈⬛ Medibank | Health Member Discount | 10% off for existing Medibank health insurance members |
How the Discounts Compare
Discounts can significantly reduce your overall pet insurance costs, and different insurers offer various savings opportunities depending on your situation.
Best for Multi-Pet Owners:
Bow Wow Meow and Everyday Pet Insurance offer 10% discounts on additional pets, making them a strong choice if you insure multiple animals.
Best for New Customers:
Bow Wow Meow and Everyday provide two months free for new customers, requiring an Everyday Rewards Card link for eligibility. Budget Direct gives a 15% discount for first-time policyholders who purchase online.
Best for Ongoing Savings:
Everyday’s Woolworths Discount can save you up to $600 per year on groceries. Australian Unity’s pet essentials discounts provide 30% off medications and 20% off pet food and flea treatments, which can offset long-term pet care costs.
Best for Medibank Health Members:
Medibank offers an ongoing 10% discount if you already have Medibank health insurance.
By taking advantage of these discounts, you can maximize savings on both your pet insurance and everyday expenses, making pet care more affordable in the long run.
📌 You might also like to read more about Health Insurance in Australia
Comparing Accident-Only vs. Comprehensive Pet Insurance Plans
If you want to choose a policy that suits your pet’s healthcare needs while it also fits within your budget, you must understand the differences between Accident-Only and Comprehensive plans
Coverage Differences Between Accident-Only and Comprehensive Plans
Accident-only plans focus on injuries that result from unexpected events. They cover:
- Injuries from accidents: Broken bones or lacerations.
- Swallowed objects: Treatments when pets ingest foreign items.
- Poisoning: Including accidental ingestion of toxic substances.
From what we can see, these plans do not cover illnesses. Thus, if your pet develops an ear infection or diabetes, an Accident-Only policy won’t cover the treatment costs. Comprehensive Plans, on the other hand, provide broader protection, covering:
- Accidents: All incidents included in Accident-Only plans.
- Illnesses: From minor infections to serious diseases like cancer.
- Hereditary and congenital conditions: Depending on the policy, conditions your pet is born with may be covered.
- Behavioural issues: Some plans include coverage for problems like anxiety.
These plans include more advanced related services such as diagnostics, medications, and hospitalisations.
Common Misconceptions About Pet Insurance Coverage
- “Pre-existing conditions are covered”: Most policies exclude conditions before enrolling your pet.
- “All routine care is included”: Routine or preventive care often requires additional coverage or add-ons.
- “Once insured, premiums remain the same”: Premiums can increase over time due to the pet’s age or rising veterinary costs.
Cost Comparison: Accident-Only vs. Comprehensive Policies
In Australia, pet insurance premiums vary according to the type of coverage you take. Accident-only policies are generally more affordable than Comprehensive plans.
- Accident-only policies cover injuries that result from unforeseen fractures or bites. On average, premiums start from $30 per month for dogs and $25 per month for cats.
- Comprehensive Policies offer more protection, including accident, illness, and sometimes routine care coverage. The average monthly cost for comprehensive pet insurance in Australia ranges from $81 to $120, depending on pet breed, age, and health status.
Premiums fluctuate based on specific variables (your pet’s breed, age, and hereditary health conditions). For instance, insuring certain breeds prone to health issues could result in higher premiums.
In Conclusion
Finding pet insurance under 80 AUD per month is possible, but there are a few trade-offs. Lower-priced plans often have lower coverage limits, higher expenses, or fewer benefits. While some policies look budget-friendly upfront, you have more financial responsibility when you claim.
To find a suitable plan, you must look beyond the price to understand an affordable plan’s exclusions, reimbursement rates, and deductible structures. You can get the best value by balancing monthly premiums with realistic coverage needs.
We’ve compared the options, scrutinised the fine print, and weighed the trade-offs; finding an ideal policy that covers any current or potential conditions or accidents takes a lot of effort, but it’s worth it.
You might also like:
- Trupanion Pet Insurance
- Budget Direct Pet Insurance
- Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance
- AAMI Pet Insurance
- Australian Unity Pet Insurance
- Bupa Pet Insurance
- Medibank Pet Insurance
- HCF Pet Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Is pet insurance under $80 enough to cover emergencies?
Yes, but the extent of coverage will depend on the insurer and policy. Low-cost plans typically only cover accidents, while others include some illness benefits. The annual limits, excess, reimbursement rates, and exclusions vary.
Are pet insurance plans under $80 available for all pet breeds?
No, it might not be. Some breeds are more prone to certain conditions, and pet insurers charge higher premiums because of the high likelihood that claims will occur.
Do budget-friendly pet insurance plans cover hereditary conditions?
Yes, some do. However, it depends on the pet insurer and the plan. Higher-tier (and more expensive) plans are more likely to cover these conditions.
How can I lower my pet insurance premium without losing coverage?
Instead of settling for a lower-cost, lower-coverage plan, choose a pet insurer that lets you adjust the reimbursement rate, deductible, annual limits, etc., and offers budget-friendly add-ons.
