Pet Insurance for a Puppy

If you are seeking pet insurance cover for your puppy, you can compare a range of pet insurance quotes with Savvy today.

Written by 
Savvy Editorial Team
Savvy's content writing team are professionals with a wide and diverse range of industry experience and topic knowledge. We write across a broad spectrum of finance-related topics to provide our readers with informative resources to help them learn more about a certain area or enable them to decide on which product is best for their needs with careful comparison. Meet the team behind the operation here. Visit our authors page to meet Savvy's expert writing team, committed to delivering informative and engaging content to help you make informed financial decisions.
Our authors
, updated on October 6th, 2023       

Fact checked

At Savvy, we are committed to providing accurate information. Our content undergoes a rigorous process of fact-checking before it is published. Learn more about our editorial policy.

Puppy pet insurance

Compare pet insurance

Looking into pet insurance for your beloved furry friend? Whether you have a playful pup or a curious cat, you can compare pet insurance options from a range of providers and find the perfect coverage that suits your pet's unique needs and your budget. 

site-logos Fetch Care Plan

Annual benefits limit

Excess

% Benefits reimbursement rate

Covers illness?

Covers accidental injuries?

$30,000 $100 80%, 90% or 100% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Pet insurance we think you’ll love. 24/7 vet support + dental, physio and behaviour cover added (see PDS) all in one app.

More details
site-logos Petsy Most Popular 80% Cover $150 Excess

Annual benefits limit

Excess

% Benefits reimbursement rate

Covers illness?

Covers accidental injuries?

$25,000 $150 80% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Protect your furry friend with Petsy's pet insurance policy. Get a free quote.

More details
site-logos Fetch Premium Plan

Annual benefits limit

Excess

% Benefits reimbursement rate

Covers illness?

Covers accidental injuries?

$30,000 $0 80% or 90% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Pet insurance we think you’ll love. 24/7 vet support + dental, physio and behaviour cover added (see PDS) all in one app.

More details
site-logos Knose Pet Insurance

Annual benefits limit

Excess

% Benefits reimbursement rate

Covers illness?

Covers accidental injuries?

$7,500, $12,500 or $25,000 $0 / $100 / $200 70%, 80% or 90% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Multi-award winning pet insurance designed with the help of vets.

More details
site-logos Petsy Value Cover 80% Cover $500 Excess

Annual benefits limit

Excess

% Benefits reimbursement rate

Covers illness?

Covers accidental injuries?

$10,000 $500 80% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Protect your furry friend with Petsy's pet insurance policy. Get a free quote.

More details
site-logos Petsy Top Cover

Annual benefits limit

Excess

% Benefits reimbursement rate

Covers illness?

Covers accidental injuries?

$25,000 $0 / $150 / $500 90% pros-item-petins pros-item-petins

Protect your furry friend with Petsy's pet insurance policy. Get a free quote.

More details

Disclaimer: Savvy is not advising or recommending any particular product to you. We provide general information on products for the purposes of comparison, but your personal situation or goals are not considered here. Although we try to make our comparisons as thorough as possible, we do not have information on all products on the market on our site.

Savvy earns a commission each time a customer buys a pet insurance policy through our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via the individual pet insurance companies.

You should always consult a given offer's PDS or further documentation in the process of deciding on which loan to choose, as well as seeking independent, professional advice. If you decide to apply with one of the lenders listed above via our website, you will not be dealing with Savvy; any applications or enquiries will be conducted directly with the lender offering that product.

A new puppy is an exciting addition to a household, but it also comes with responsibilities, including ensuring their health and well-being. Pet insurance for puppies can help provide the necessary care throughout their early stages of life. However, with so many options available, navigating the world of pet insurance can be overwhelming. That’s where Savvy can lend a hand.

Our online comparison tool allows you to easily explore different policies to help you find one that suits your puppy’s requirements and your budget. Get started with a free, no-obligation quote today.

What does pet insurance for puppies cover?

Pet insurance is a financial safety net that helps cover veterinary expenses and medical care for your pet. While there are no pet insurance plans specifically for puppies in Australia, they can generally be insured on standard dog or pet insurance plans. There are three main types of pet insurance in Australia, offering different levels of cover depending on your puppy’s needs and requirements. These are:

  • Accident-only cover: this covers injuries resulting from accidents, giving you peace of mind in case of the unexpected.    
  • Accident and illness cover: this provides a broader scope of protection, safeguarding against a variety of illnesses as well as accidents.   
  • Comprehensive cover: this provides the most extensive level of protections, covering accidents and illnesses as well as optional routine care and even dental illness cover.   

Certain policies might offer additional benefits, such as lost animal cover, travel cover and emergency boarding.

Are there any exclusions or limitations on pet insurance for my puppy?

While pet insurance can help cover the cost of treatment and other issues, your policy may have limitations and inclusions. These commonly include:

  • Waiting periods: a specific time frame must elapse after purchasing the policy before coverage applies to certain conditions or treatments.
  • Age limits: policies may have age restrictions for coverage, typically from 6 weeks for puppies up to 8 years old.
  • Annual benefit limits: the maximum amount the insurer will pay out in a policy year.
  • Benefit percentage limits: the portion of eligible expenses covered by the insurer.
  • Excess: an agreed-upon amount you must pay when making a claim before the insurance coverage takes effect.
  • Specific treatments: some treatments, procedures or elective services might not be covered.
  • Breed-specific exclusions: certain breeds may have limitations on coverage due to their predisposition to certain health issues.

What specific healthcare issues or requirements do puppies have?

Puppies can be vulnerable to health issues and other incidents, as their developing immune system and boundless curiosity make them more susceptible to various conditions compared to adult dogs. Common issues include ear infections, diarrhoea, vomiting and skin allergies, as well as accidental injuries such as fractures, swallowing foreign objects and bite wounds.

Furthermore, in their first year, puppies should receive a number of vaccinations against diseases such as distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus.

Puppies should also be desexed when they are young, usually before they are six months old. Several Australian states have laws mandating the desexing of pet dogs, so it is important to check local requirements. For example, in the Australian Capital Territory, it is an offence to own an undesexed dog over 6 months old without a permit.    

Depending on your pet insurance plan, you may be covered or partially covered for these issues, though it is important to check your product disclosure statement for clarification.

Is taking out pet insurance for a puppy worth it?

Insuring your puppy at a young age can have several advantages:

  • Early coverage for health conditions: puppies are more prone to certain health issues due to their developing immune systems. Insuring them early ensures that potential health conditions are covered from the start.
  • Lower premiums: premiums for pet insurance are often lower when your puppy is young and healthy, allowing you to lock in more affordable rates for the future.
  • Pre-existing conditions: insuring your puppy early helps avoid potential pre-existing condition exclusions, as any new conditions that arise after the policy is in place will be covered.
  • Continuous coverage: starting insurance early ensures continuous coverage as your puppy grows into an adult dog, providing ongoing protection for a lifetime of potential health needs.
  • Peace of mind: having insurance in place early gives you peace of mind, knowing that you're financially prepared to provide the best care for your furry friend, no matter what health challenges they may face.

Types of pet insurance you can choose from

Why compare pet insurance with Savvy?

Top tips to reduce your puppy pet insurance costs

Healthy lifestyle

Maintain a healthy routine for your puppy through regular exercise, a balanced diet and preventative care to minimise the likelihood of claims and manage premiums.

Higher excess

Opting for a greater excess amount can reduce your premiums – though ensure you can afford the payout if necessary for a claim.

Lower benefit percentage

Choosing a reduced benefit percentage – the amount the insurer covers of veterinary expenses – can lower premiums, but leave you paying more after a claim.

Bundle coverage

Consider multi-pet policies or bundling different policies if offered by your insurer for potential discounts.

Compare pet insurance plans

Explore and compare policies using Savvy to find suitable and cost-effective pet insurance options.

Frequently asked questions about pet insurance for puppies

Can I insure a newborn puppy?

Many states in Australia do not allow puppies to be removed from their mother until they are at least 8 weeks old. Pet insurance typically requires a minimum age for coverage, usually starting around 6 to 8 weeks.

Can I get insurance for my puppy’s hereditary or congenital conditions?

Yes – some insurers will cover hereditary and congenital conditions provided it is not a pre-existing condition before taking out your insurance plan. However, it is essential to carefully review the policy terms and conditions to understand the extent of coverage provided and any waiting periods involved.

Is pet insurance coverage different for puppies and senior dogs?

Yes – it may be harder to insure a senior pet due to their increased health requirements, and insurance options may be more limited. However, if you insure your dog from a young age and maintain your policy, your dog will be covered as it ages under the same plan.

Does pet insurance cover my dog’s pregnancy?

No – most pet insurance policies do not cover pregnancy-related expenses, including prenatal care, birthing, including c-sections, and postnatal care.