RSPCA Pet Insurance Review

Widely advertised on television and online, RSPCA pet insurance is one of the most popular pet insurance plans in Australia. Providing four levels of cover, RSPCA pet insurance covers dogs and cats, allowing owners to claim up to 80% off eligible vet bills, with no excess to pay.

Who is the RSPCA?

As one of the country’s best known animal welfare organisations, the RSPCA has been committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of animals across Australia for more than 150 years. Continuing on with that ethos of caring, the RSPCA now offers pet insurance to owners who want extra peace of mind that their pet will be well cared for in times of need.

As a multi-award winner, RSPCA pet insurance certainly has a lot going for it. Not only is it headed up by a brand synonymous with animal welfare, it also provides a comprehensive offering administered through PetSure, and issued by The Hollard Insurance Company, one of the largest providers of pet insurance in Australia.

RSPCA Pet Insurance Cover

RSPCA pet insurance covers dogs and cats for specified accidental injuries and illnesses, with four levels of cover to choose from.

RSPCA General Accident & Illness Cover

• Claim up to $11,000 per year ($2,000 per condition)
• Up to 60% of eligible vet bills reimbursed
• Start cover from 8 weeks up to (younger than) 16 years old

RSPCA Economy Accident & Illness Cover

• Claim up to $11,000 per year
• Up to 75% of eligible vet bills reimbursed
• Start cover from 8 weeks up to (younger than) 9 years old

RSPCA Ultimate Accident & Illness Cover

• Claim up to $11,000 per year
• Up to 80% of eligible vet bills reimbursed
• Start cover from 8 weeks up to (younger than) 9 years old
• Routine care available

RSPCA Ultimate Plus Accident & Illness Cover

• Claim up to $20,000 per year
• Up to 80% of eligible vet bills reimbursed
• Start cover from 8 weeks up to (younger than) 9 years old
• Routine care available

What’s covered in all plans?

• Specified accidental injuries and illnesses
• Tick paralysis
• Cancer treatment
• Skin conditions
• Hereditary and congenital conditions
• Emergency boarding
• Eye and ear conditions
• Cruciate ligament conditions (6 month waiting period applies but may be waived on application)
• Essential euthanasia
• Pet overseas travel insurance (New Zealand and the Norfolk Islands only)

What We Love

• Discounts: As one of the larger pet insurance providers in Australia, the RSPCA often offers discounts on premiums to new policyholders. Check out our promo codes and discounts page to find out if you could save on RSPCA pet insurance when you apply today.
• Good Value: Premiums for RSPCA pet insurance are 0.87% lower than the average rate for dogs in our survey of major pet insurers. Bear in mind this may change over time, so check out the comparison table before you buy to ensure you are getting the best deal.
• Multi-Pet Discount: If you want to cover more than one pet, you will benefit from a multi-pet discount of 10% on each new additional policy.
• Variety of Cover Levels: Unlike some other pet insurance providers, RSPCA pet insurance offers four levels of cover, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs – and your budget.
• No Excess: With no excess to pay, no matter which RSPCA pet insurance plan you choose, you will have fewer out-of-pocket costs when you visit the vet. This can be especially handy if you are one of those pet owners who finds themselves frequently visiting the vet with their furry friend.
• Easy Claims: The RSPCA prides itself on offering a stress-free claims process, with fast processing and personalised service.
• GapOnly®: Using GapOnly, your vet bill is assessed in real time, so you can access your benefit on the spot and only pay the gap. This saves you from paying out the full amount upfront and then claiming the benefit later.
• High Annual Claim Limit: Choosing RSPCA Ultimate Plus, you can claim up to $20,000 per year (or up to $11,000 per year on other plans).
• Any Vet: With RSPCA pet insurance, you can visit any registered vet in Australia.
• Lifetime Cover: While there are limits on how old your pet can be when starting cover, your cover can be renewed for the life of your pet, for as long as RSPCA offers the product.
• Give Back: When you purchase RSPCA pet insurance, know that you are helping other Australian animals in need. A portion of all first-year premiums go to support the great work of the RSPCA.

What To Consider

• Pre-Existing Conditions: Like most pet insurance plans in Australia, RSPCA pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. However, it is worth pointing out that if that condition has not existed, occurred, or shown noticeable signs, symptoms, or any abnormalities in the 18 months prior to your claim treatment date, it will no longer be excluded from cover as a pre-existing condition.
• Waiting Periods: Again, waiting periods are pretty much standard on pet insurance plans in Australia. With RSPCA pet insurance, there is no waiting period for specified accidental injuries, however, there is a 30 day waiting period for illnesses and a 6-month waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions.
• Exclusions: Another important factor to consider when purchasing pet insurance is what’s excluded from the cover. Here are some of the most common exclusions on RSPCA pet insurance:
  • Certain pre-existing conditions
  • Dental procedures
  • Elective treatments and procedures
  • Behavioural problems
  • Food and diets
  • Grooming
  • Pregnancy
  • Pet accessories
• Lower Reimbursement Rate: Depending on the plan you choose, you may be reimbursed for 60% to 80% of your vet bills. Other pet insurance plans may offer a higher reimbursement rate than this, so be sure to compare your options.
• Sub-Limits: While RSPCA General plans put a $2,000 annual sub-limit in place across all conditions, there are some sub-limits to be aware of on other plans as well, such as the $2,600 annual sub-limit on cruciate ligament treatment on both the Ultimate and Economy plans. With the Ultimate Plus plan, it is “subject to the overall annual limit”.
• Routine Cover: Routine cover is not included as standard on RSPCA pet insurance, however, you can add it as an extra on Ultimate and Ultimate Plus plans. Routine cover in this case includes:
  • Heartworm test or blood screen – $15 a year
  • FeLV/FIV test or urinalysis – $15 a year

Plus, a $50 annual benefit for any one of the following:

• • De-sexing and Micro-chipping
  • Heartworm preventative medication
  • Teeth cleaning
  • Vaccinations
  • Council registration fees
  • Prescription diets
  • Alternative therapies

_{All the information in this article was correct at the time of writing and may change over time. If you’re considering this product, be sure to review the Product Disclosure Statement so that you understand any terms, conditions and exclusions.}