Real pet insurance helps protect cats and dogs against unexpected veterinary costs, including accidents and illnesses. According to Real’s website, Australians spent more than $2.6 billion on vet services on average in 2019 (including expenditures on dogs, cats, fish, birds, small mammals, and reptiles), the bulk of this being spent by dog owners ($1.8 billion) rather than cat owners ($678 million).

Real pet insurance for cats and dogs features a range of benefits at no additional cost, including emergency boarding when you’re in the hospital. It also covers your pet while traveling in NZ and Norfolk Island, as well as essential euthanasia and tick bite benefits.

If you have a senior cat or dog and are considering pet insurance, Real pet insurance covers pets up to 16 years of age. You can also take out a policy during puppyhood as soon as 8 weeks of age. Another huge plus is that Real’s Routine Care Benefit Cover includes obedience training at a recognized facility.

Before choosing pet insurance, compare pricing and coverage among various pet insurance plans. Keep in mind that breed affects pricing for dogs and pedigree and non-pedigreed cats.

Who is Real Pet Insurance?

Real Pet insurance covers up to 80% of eligible veterinary claims with no excess to pay. You can claim up to $12,000 per year, but as with any pet insurance (exclusions, limits, and sub-limits may apply.) Real pet insurance offers customers The Real Reward which means you get 10% of the premiums refunded after the 12-month anniversary, even if you’re made a claim.

Real cat and dog insurance entered the insurance market in 2005 and has been awarded many industry awards. The takeaway with Real Pet Insurance is that it lets you customize your pet’s coverage to suit your cat or dog’s health needs and your budget.

3 Plans by Real Pet Insurance

Pet insurance protects your pets and allows you to take care of all their veterinary needs. That said, veterinary costs increase yearly as treatments become more sophisticated. It’s worth noting that taking out pet insurance helps lessen some of these skyrocketing veterinary costs, especially for surgeries, cancer treatment, hip replacements, heart problems, gastropexy, and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Like most pet insurance, some pre-existing conditions and certain specified illnesses are not covered. 

Real Pet Insurance 

Premium Accident & Illness Cover

With Real Pet Premium Accident & Illness Cover, you get the highest level of coverage with an annual $12,000 to spend on veterinary treatments. (Exclusions, limits, and sub-limits may apply.) 

It’s worth noting that tick paralysis treatment and essential euthanasia are also covered under this plan. Routine Care Benefit Cover is also optional as an add-on, but only with the Premium Accident & Illness plan.

• 80% of eligible vet bills are covered
• No excess
• Claim limit of up to $12,000 per year 
• Covers emergency boarding if you’re in the hospital
• Covers overseas travel in New Zealand & Norfolk Island
• 0-day waiting period for specified accidental injuries – claim the day after your policy starts.
• The standard 30-day wait period for illnesses
• 6-month waiting period for Cruciate Ligament Conditions (may be waived on application)
• Option of adding routine care benefit for cats and dogs
• Tick paralysis treatment is covered
• Essential euthanasia covered
• No multi-pet discount

Standard Accident & Illness Cover

Standard Accident and Illness pet insurance for dogs and cats by Real Pet Insurance features up to 75% of eligible vet bills with no excess. Real Pet Insurance allows for plenty of additional benefits to this plan, including overseas travel in New Zealand & Norfolk Island, emergency boarding if you’re in the hospital, tick paralysis treatment, and essential euthanasia. With this plan, there’s no option of adding the Routine Care Benefit Cover.

• 75% of eligible vet bills are covered
• No excess
• Claim limit of up to $12,000 per year.
• 0-day waiting period for specified accidental injuries – claim the day after your policy starts.
• Standard 6-month waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions
• 30-day waiting period for illnesses
• Tick paralysis treatment is covered
• Essential euthanasia covered
• Lifetime cover as long as there are no breaks or changes in the policy
• Some pre-existing conditions covered
• Certain specified accidental injuries covered
• Certain specified illnesses covered
• No multi-pet discount

Classic Accident & Illness Cover

Real’s Classic Accident & Illness Coverage allows up to 60% coverage of veterinary bills for cats and dogs. This plan also features a $12,000 annual benefit for veterinary claims, but a $2,000 annual condition limit   euthanasia and paralysis tick benefits are included.

• 60% of eligible vet bills are covered
• No excess
• Claim limit of up to $12,000
• Lifetime cover as long as there are no breaks or changes in the policy
• Covers specified accidental injury & illness including snakebites, car accidents, burns, and allergic reactions to insect bites.
• No Routine Care Benefit option for vaccinations and health checks.
• No multi-pet discount

What to Consider

As with choosing any pet insurance policy, the primary consideration is affordability. Veterinary bills are costly, and pet insurance can save you plenty of money in the long run. 

It’s always best to opt for the most comprehensive policy with any pet insurance company so that you’re covered for wellness, illness, accidents, and more. 

If you travel with your pet, consider an insurance plan that covers travel, such as Real’s pet insurance for New Zealand and Norfolk Island with their Standard Accident and Illness policy. 

Real’s Routine Care Benefit Cover includes dental care, which can be expensive and is commonly excluded for senior pets. Some of these add-on benefits for cats and dogs include:

• Heartworm preventative medication
• Teeth cleaning
• Alternative therapies for pets
• Prescription diets
• Dewclaw removal
• Obedience training (at a recognized training facility)
• Flea, tick, or worm control
• Prescription diets
• De-sexing
• Microchipping

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to Compare Pet Insurance Policies?

Like our health insurance, knowing what lies ahead regarding your pet’s illnesses, injuries, and health needs is challenging. Pet insurance protects your pets and allows you to give them the veterinary care they need when they need it without waiting. Here are a few things to do when deciding which insurance is best for your pet.

• Consult with your veterinarian and discuss pet insurance plans.
• Check that your policy offers routine care as an add-on.
• Consider any general policy exclusions and sub-limits
• Look at the wait periods.
• Check out alternative therapy benefits and dental, which are always a huge plus.
• Consider your pet’s age, health needs, and long-term veterinary requirements.
• Finally, consider your finances and find a pet insurance policy that fits your budget, ensuring you can always pay the monthly premium.

2. How Does Holistic Care Help Pets?

Holistic care treats animals as a whole, and veterinarians often turn to holistic care when pets don’t respond to traditional treatments and procedures. These therapies benefit pets suffering from chronic pain or discomfort and support recovery from injuries. They may also be helpful for easing anxiety.

When choosing pet insurance, look for Wellness rewards for routine care and plans that offer alternative therapies. Complementary treatments or alternative therapies are terms used to describe holistic treatments.

Holistic care for cats and dogs includes:

• Herbal remedies
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Chiropractic treatment
• Acupressure
• Nutrition
• Aromatherapy

3. What is Usually Not Covered By Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance usually doesn’t cover routine and preventative care, wellness visits, and pre-existing conditions. Always read your policies to see what is covered and not covered, and understand your plan’s waiting period for illnesses, injuries, cruciate ligament conditions, dental cleanings, dental illnesses like gum disease, and accidents. More comprehensive plans will, however, cover dental care, hereditary conditions, and routine care, including vet visits.