Could pet insurance be the ultimate money-saving tip for pet owners?
- Replies 7
Nothing compares to the unconditional love from a pet. They make for the best companion, and while, let’s be honest, they may be a little cheaper than our human babies, the costs still add up. Aside from the usual fees you can expect from owning a furry friend, such as food, vet visits, grooming, and so on, there may also be medical expenses that could take a significant bite out of your pocket.
I know this because just last week, I took the SDC’s ‘Barketing Manager’, aka my Jack Russell, Poppy, to the vet because she had an awful-looking red-raw paw. The culprit? She is allergic to grass. Yes, my 2-year-old dog is allergic to grass. The solution? An injection and 10-days on antibiotics. The bite out of my pocket? $386.60.
Now, we’ve always believed it’s best to be prepared for the worst—and when it comes to our pet’s well-being, we’d bet our last dollar on making sure they get the best possible healthcare. That’s why when Knose Pet Insurance*, the winner of Finder’s ‘Top Pick for Value’ award earlier this year, reached out to us for a chat, we just had to sit down and listen to what they had to say. They have also been kind enough to give our members a surprise discount on their first month of pet insurance* if you use the promo code: SDC2310 when grabbing your quick quote*!
What is pet insurance and why should I consider it for my pet?
Unlike other forms of insurance, such as car insurance, it’s not legally mandatory to have pet insurance here in Australia. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering—in fact, the opposite could very well be the case. We, pet owners, know it's common for cats and dogs to require veterinary attention at some point in their lives, and the severity and cost of such care can be unpredictable.
‘Knose Pet Insurance* is designed to provide extensive coverage* for unexpected injuries and illnesses your pet may face.’
‘We offer extensive plans that encompass dog insurance, puppy insurance, and cat insurance. We also don’t impose any sub-limits, which means you can have access to the full annual limit for the veterinary treatment when you need it most.’
How does pet insurance work?
Like car insurance, you get to choose the level of coverage and you’d be surprised to find out just how extensive and flexible Knose Pet Insurance* plans can be.
‘We cover veterinary costs for injuries and illnesses, providing financial support when your pet needs medical attention the most. Our cover even includes essential euthanasia costs, and veterinary expenses for overseas trips of up to sixty (60) days in New Zealand or Norfolk Island. But the thing many of our customers love most is our free 24/7 access to a Pet Health Hotline* where you receive expert advice from a qualified registered vet nurse who can offer guidance on your pet’s health, behaviour, training, and nutrition concerns.’
‘On top of all that we also offer optional extra benefits that are often not covered in other policies, such as cover for dental illness, behavioural problems, and specialised therapies.’
How much does pet insurance cost?
Truth be told, owning a pet can get pretty pricey, particularly in the first year. According to Moneysmart, costs can range from $3,000 to $6,000 in the first 12 months alone. Here’s an incredibly helpful breakdown of all the costs you should consider before and even while owning a pet:
As you can see from the above table, the costs of our beloved furry friends certainly add up, and this doesn’t even take into account any medical issues or emergencies. So imagine paying all of these costs, and then your dog eating a corn cob and you having to rush it to the vet, on a public holiday, to get its stomach operated on and you were slapped with a $9,000 bill? (Yes, a very specific example because this ACTUALLY happened over Easter.)
Knose Pet Insurance* went on to explain, ‘The good news is that even our extensive pet insurance plans can be tailored to match your pet’s needs and your budget. Knose Pet Insurance* offers a wide range of protection for your pet, and you can tailor our plans to include fewer options, which means certain expenses will not be covered, but the price you pay would be lower. Keep in mind, also, that you could choose a higher excess to pay lower monthly premiums, for instance*.
You mentioned ‘sub-limits’. What does that mean?
I’m glad you asked, because many prospective policy holders are aware either! The majority of pet insurance products in Australia have something in their cover called ‘sub-limits’. A sub-limit adds an extra limit, or ‘ceiling’ on certain vet expenses that are covered under a policy. A few common examples include cruciate ligament surgery, hip dysplasia, tick paralysis and even vet consultations.
So, essentially, if your dog or cat constantly has one of these issues (or issues like these), you can only claim so much back on your insurance.
‘But this we here at Knose Pet Insurance* differ from most. We are dedicated to providing straightforward and accessible pet insurance options for both dogs and cats. Their goal is to keep pet insurance simple and flexible to suit your unique needs, so forget this sub-limit nonsense!’
‘You can choose from various Annual Limits, including $7,500, $12,500, or $25,000, and Benefit Percentages of 70%, 80%, or 90%. Additionally, we offer three Annual Excess options, namely $200, $100, or $0. This means you can tailor your coverage for your furry companion.’
When should I be getting pet insurance?
If your furry friend is still a puppy or kitten, now is probably the best time to get pet insurance.
‘With Knose Pet Insurance* there are no age limits once you start your insurance. Keep in mind there are specific age limits for starting the insurance policy. When purchasing a new policy, the minimum age is 6 weeks old and the maximum age is 8 years and 364 days old.’
‘For those with an older pet and budgetary concerns, a common approach to getting Knose Pet Insurance* is to opt for a higher excess and lower monthly premiums. That way, you’ll save money in the short term and still have some money in the bank if you ever need it. So, really, when you think about it, pet insurance could be the ultimate money-saving tip!’
Should I get pet insurance?
At the end of the day, the decision is up to you. But we think that, for the sake of peace of mind alone, pet insurance is absolutely worth considering. ‘At Knose Pet Insurance* it takes under 2 minutes to obtain a quote, and you can get one right here*.’
The alternative is to set aside a ‘pet emergency fund’ in a savings account and gradually save up for any potential medical costs that could come your way—but it’s still an unpredictable future.
‘If you are already insured with another pet insurer, you could get in touch to see if our product is better suited to your needs*.’
If you’re not a fan of online quotes, you can always get in touch with Knose Pet Insurance* at 1300 356 643.
‘All of our contact centres are Australian-based, so don’t worry; you’ll speak to an Aussie.’
*Please note members, this is a sponsored article. All content of ours that has an asterisk next to it means we may get a commission to write an article or post a deal. We simply do this to assist with the costs of running the SDC. Thank you!
Knose Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN 38 620 795 735, AFSL 536651) (‘Knose’) is an underwriting agency acting under a binding authority as an agent for the insurer Pacific International Insurance Pty Limited (ABN 83 169 311 193). Any advice is general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account individual objectives, financial situation or needs and you should consider the appropriateness of any such advice, the Product Disclosure Statement (‘PDS’’) and the Target Market Determination (‘TMD’’) available via www.knose.com.au or by calling 1300 356 642 before making a decision to acquire, or to continue to hold, the product. Terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Please refer to the PDS.
You can protect your beloved pets with Knose Pet Insurance. Image source: Shutterstock.
Now, we’ve always believed it’s best to be prepared for the worst—and when it comes to our pet’s well-being, we’d bet our last dollar on making sure they get the best possible healthcare. That’s why when Knose Pet Insurance*, the winner of Finder’s ‘Top Pick for Value’ award earlier this year, reached out to us for a chat, we just had to sit down and listen to what they had to say. They have also been kind enough to give our members a surprise discount on their first month of pet insurance* if you use the promo code: SDC2310 when grabbing your quick quote*!
What is pet insurance and why should I consider it for my pet?
Unlike other forms of insurance, such as car insurance, it’s not legally mandatory to have pet insurance here in Australia. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering—in fact, the opposite could very well be the case. We, pet owners, know it's common for cats and dogs to require veterinary attention at some point in their lives, and the severity and cost of such care can be unpredictable.
‘Knose Pet Insurance* is designed to provide extensive coverage* for unexpected injuries and illnesses your pet may face.’
‘We offer extensive plans that encompass dog insurance, puppy insurance, and cat insurance. We also don’t impose any sub-limits, which means you can have access to the full annual limit for the veterinary treatment when you need it most.’
How does pet insurance work?
Like car insurance, you get to choose the level of coverage and you’d be surprised to find out just how extensive and flexible Knose Pet Insurance* plans can be.
‘We cover veterinary costs for injuries and illnesses, providing financial support when your pet needs medical attention the most. Our cover even includes essential euthanasia costs, and veterinary expenses for overseas trips of up to sixty (60) days in New Zealand or Norfolk Island. But the thing many of our customers love most is our free 24/7 access to a Pet Health Hotline* where you receive expert advice from a qualified registered vet nurse who can offer guidance on your pet’s health, behaviour, training, and nutrition concerns.’
‘On top of all that we also offer optional extra benefits that are often not covered in other policies, such as cover for dental illness, behavioural problems, and specialised therapies.’
How much does pet insurance cost?
Truth be told, owning a pet can get pretty pricey, particularly in the first year. According to Moneysmart, costs can range from $3,000 to $6,000 in the first 12 months alone. Here’s an incredibly helpful breakdown of all the costs you should consider before and even while owning a pet:
Getting a pet isn't cheap! Image source: MoneySmart / SDC.
As you can see from the above table, the costs of our beloved furry friends certainly add up, and this doesn’t even take into account any medical issues or emergencies. So imagine paying all of these costs, and then your dog eating a corn cob and you having to rush it to the vet, on a public holiday, to get its stomach operated on and you were slapped with a $9,000 bill? (Yes, a very specific example because this ACTUALLY happened over Easter.)
Knose Pet Insurance* went on to explain, ‘The good news is that even our extensive pet insurance plans can be tailored to match your pet’s needs and your budget. Knose Pet Insurance* offers a wide range of protection for your pet, and you can tailor our plans to include fewer options, which means certain expenses will not be covered, but the price you pay would be lower. Keep in mind, also, that you could choose a higher excess to pay lower monthly premiums, for instance*.
You mentioned ‘sub-limits’. What does that mean?
I’m glad you asked, because many prospective policy holders are aware either! The majority of pet insurance products in Australia have something in their cover called ‘sub-limits’. A sub-limit adds an extra limit, or ‘ceiling’ on certain vet expenses that are covered under a policy. A few common examples include cruciate ligament surgery, hip dysplasia, tick paralysis and even vet consultations.
So, essentially, if your dog or cat constantly has one of these issues (or issues like these), you can only claim so much back on your insurance.
‘But this we here at Knose Pet Insurance* differ from most. We are dedicated to providing straightforward and accessible pet insurance options for both dogs and cats. Their goal is to keep pet insurance simple and flexible to suit your unique needs, so forget this sub-limit nonsense!’
‘You can choose from various Annual Limits, including $7,500, $12,500, or $25,000, and Benefit Percentages of 70%, 80%, or 90%. Additionally, we offer three Annual Excess options, namely $200, $100, or $0. This means you can tailor your coverage for your furry companion.’
When should I be getting pet insurance?
If your furry friend is still a puppy or kitten, now is probably the best time to get pet insurance.
‘With Knose Pet Insurance* there are no age limits once you start your insurance. Keep in mind there are specific age limits for starting the insurance policy. When purchasing a new policy, the minimum age is 6 weeks old and the maximum age is 8 years and 364 days old.’
‘For those with an older pet and budgetary concerns, a common approach to getting Knose Pet Insurance* is to opt for a higher excess and lower monthly premiums. That way, you’ll save money in the short term and still have some money in the bank if you ever need it. So, really, when you think about it, pet insurance could be the ultimate money-saving tip!’
Should I get pet insurance?
At the end of the day, the decision is up to you. But we think that, for the sake of peace of mind alone, pet insurance is absolutely worth considering. ‘At Knose Pet Insurance* it takes under 2 minutes to obtain a quote, and you can get one right here*.’
The alternative is to set aside a ‘pet emergency fund’ in a savings account and gradually save up for any potential medical costs that could come your way—but it’s still an unpredictable future.
‘If you are already insured with another pet insurer, you could get in touch to see if our product is better suited to your needs*.’
If you’re not a fan of online quotes, you can always get in touch with Knose Pet Insurance* at 1300 356 643.
‘All of our contact centres are Australian-based, so don’t worry; you’ll speak to an Aussie.’
*Please note members, this is a sponsored article. All content of ours that has an asterisk next to it means we may get a commission to write an article or post a deal. We simply do this to assist with the costs of running the SDC. Thank you!
Knose Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN 38 620 795 735, AFSL 536651) (‘Knose’) is an underwriting agency acting under a binding authority as an agent for the insurer Pacific International Insurance Pty Limited (ABN 83 169 311 193). Any advice is general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account individual objectives, financial situation or needs and you should consider the appropriateness of any such advice, the Product Disclosure Statement (‘PDS’’) and the Target Market Determination (‘TMD’’) available via www.knose.com.au or by calling 1300 356 642 before making a decision to acquire, or to continue to hold, the product. Terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Please refer to the PDS.
Last edited:
.png){kind=icon}
