No matter how many precautions we take, our dogs and cats can get sick or suffer from injuries. Pet insurance helps with veterinary bills. Unfortunately, many pet parents aren’t aware of the costs, which also include routine care for vaccinations, check-ups, deworming, and even veterinary costs due to health problems that can come about due to genetic predispositions. If insufficient care is not provided, it can lead to decreased quality of life.

“Although every pet’s needs will differ, the average cost of owning a dog can add up to $1,627 a year, while the average cost of owning a cat is around $962 a year. These figures include things like food, grooming, accessories, and pet insurance,” says the RSPCA.

Guardian pet insurance helps cover up to 80% of eligible vet bills, with up to $12000 a year towards veterinary bills. Additionally, Guardian offers three tiers of coverage and covers cats and dogs from 8 weeks to 16 years of age in their Bronze plan. Like any insurance policy, your pet’s level of coverage will depend on the level you choose.

Who is Guardian Pet Insurance?

Guardian Pet Insurance offers three plans: Platinum, Gold, or Bronze. In 2021, it launched Australia’s first online life insurance policies. The company is also multi-award-winning with an easy online claims process and includes GapOnly® claims for eligible veterinarians. Guardian’s pet insurance is issued by the Hollard Insurance Company, promoted by Greenstone Financial Services, and administered through PetSure.

Navigating the landscape of pet insurance isn’t easy, but with Guardian pet insurance, you get a range of features and benefits for your cats and dogs. As vet bills have risen because of inflation, insurance companies have increased by as much as 50%. 

Yet, with Guardian pet insurance, you can choose between three very affordable plans. All policies have a maximum annual limit of $12,000 a year. With their Bronze Accident and Illness Cover, there is a $2,000 annual limit for each separate condition your pet is treated for.

According to Insurance Business, Australia, the average monthly premium for Guardian pet insurance,based on a hypothetical six-month-old de-sexed female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a 60-year-old owner living in New South Wales, with a 2150 postal code, is $68.97. This includes 80% of eligible vet bills covered, $0 excess amount, a $12,000 annual benefit limit, and a 30 day waiting period for illness.

3 Plans By Guardian

Guardian Pet Insurance Platinum Cover

You can visit any registered veterinarian in Australia with all three plans: Platinum, Gold, and Bronze. All three plans are straightforward, with options tailored to the different levels of coverage. Plus, you can check if your veterinary clinic is eligible for GapOnly® and use this to file a claim on the spot.

Guardian cat and dog pet insurance covers accidental injuries, illnesses, and routine care. All Guardian cat and dog policies allow for extensive protection for pets. If you opt for the Platinum plan, you can insure your cat or dog and add optional benefits. Here’s the takeaway.

Bronze 

With all of Guardian’s plans, you get coverage for specified accidental injuries, including car accidents, burns, and snake bites. The Bronze Accident and Illness plan covers up to 60% of eligible vet bills and provides a $2,000 yearly condition limit.

• Optional Routine Care for preventative healthcare items is $80
• Claim up to 60%
• Pets must be between 8 weeks and under 16 years old for Bronze coverage
• Illness coverage
• $12,000 annual benefit

Platinum Cover

Guardian’s Platinum coverage for pets offers an annual benefit of $12,000 with all three tiers of coverage, with you having to pay no excess when it’s time to pay the bill. The Platinum Accident and Illness Cover gives you up to 80% of eligible vet bills.

• Allows for an annual benefit of $12,000
• Claim up to 80%
• Pets from 8 weeks to under 9 years old for Platinum coverage
• Participating veterinarians accept GapOnly® claims.
• Included emergency boarding coverage of $1000
• $2,600 yearly limit for cruciate ligament conditions
• Essential euthanasia included
• Lifetime coverage if there are no breaks or changes in policy

Gold

Guardian’s Gold plan covers specified accidental injuries and illnesses with no excess to pay. Their Gold plan covers up to 75% of eligible veterinary bills, with no optional routine care for preventative healthcare items. Essential euthanasia is included, as is lifetime coverage. The maximum entry age eligibility is nine years, and you can use GapOnly® by visiting gaponly.com.au.

• Allows for an annual benefit of $12,000
• Provides up to $2,000 yearly condition limit
• Pets must be under 9 years old for Platinum coverage
• Participating veterinarians accept GapOnly® claims.
• Claim up to 75%
• Illness coverage
• Lifetime coverage if there are no breaks or changes in policy
• Essential euthanasia included

What to Consider

Guardian’s pet insurance allows you to choose the reimbursement rate that works best for you. This includes Bronze’s 60%, Gold’s 75%, or Platinum’s 80%. Guardian also has excellent reviews, with customers praising their customer service. 

The takeaway with all three plans is the $12,000 annual benefit with no excess, regardless of your chosen plan. That said, it may mean you pay more on your premiums than plans with excess.

Despite the annual limit of $12,000 not being as generous as some other pet insurance companies ( Bow Wow Meow Nose to Tail Cover at $30,000), Guardian cat and dog pet insurance does accept pets up to 16 years of age with its Bronze policy. 

Most pet insurance caps this at nine years of age. You should also take into consideration that dental is usually excluded and that there’s no multi-pet discount with Guardian. 

Routine Care add-on is provided under the Platinum plan at an additional cost of $80 per year. This can still add up to each year. It’s best to compare the extra cost you will pay out against how much value you will get in return. 

Before taking out any pet insurance plan, the most important thing is to see how long the waiting periods are for accidents, illnesses, and cruciate ligament conditions. You need to choose a plan that best works for your cat or dog.

If you’re unsure about plans, reach out to your veterinarian to discuss your pet’s health issues and to find the best pet insurance plan for them. Visit the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) and educate yourself about your breed and health testing requirements and health needs, such as:

• Hip Evaluation
• Elbow Evaluation
• Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Here are some things that you should take into consideration before buying a pet insurance plan:

• Age
• Breed
• Lifestyle
• Health issues
• Genetic/ breed dispositions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Do I Choose Pet Insurance?

You can never underestimate the importance of pet insurance for your cat or dog. “To find the best plan, you should first identify which features matter the most based on your pet’s breed-specific health risks and your personal preferences,”advises the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

Some key coverage options to look for include:

• Hereditary and congenital (present from birth) disorders
• Chronic conditions
• Surgery and hospitalization
• Diagnostic testing
• Accidents and injuries
• Illnesses

2. Is Cost Important When Comparing Pet Insurance?

Yes, but Guardian offers Gap Only and Easy Claims processing, making veterinary bills more straightforward. With GapOnly, a feature that provides real-time claims at the vet, only the gap remains to be paid. This means there will be fewer out-of-pocket expenses at the veterinarian.

3. What is Diagnostic Testing?

Numerous types of diagnostic tests are available for pets, and without pet insurance, they can be costly. Diagnostic testing helps to diagnose underlying causes of illness or health problems in cats and dogs. Always ensure that diagnostic tests or screening are delivered under your specific pet insurance plan.Some examples of diagnostic testing for pets include:

• Blood tests
• Fecal testing
• Urinalysis
• X-rays
• Heartworm tests
• Endoscopy
• Biopsy
• ECG
• Ultrasound
• MRI