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Information about pet insurance
- How much does pet insurance cost?
- How pet insurance premiums are calculated
- What are some common pet insurance exclusions?
- What to look for in a pet insurance policy
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Types of pet insurance
- Accident-only pet insurance
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Budget Direct pet insurance at a glance
- Get up to 80% back on eligible vet bills
- Never pay an excess for the same condition twice (within any policy period)
- Cover for orthopaedic conditions
- One no-fuss policy option
About Budget Direct pet insurance
Budget Direct pet insurance is synonymous with simplicity. It covers accidental injuries and illnesses, including some conditions typically excluded from cover by other insurers. Benefit percentages, annual limits, and sub-limits apply. Budget Direct pet insurance is issued by Auto & General Insurance Company Limited.
What does Budget Direct pet insurance cover?
Budget Direct offers pet insurance policies for cats and dogs. These policies can cover:
- Treatment costs for accidental injuries and illnesses
- Vet consultations for eligible conditions
- Prescribed medications and diagnostic tests for eligible conditions
- Hospitalisations and surgeries
- Cancer treatment
- Treatments for orthopaedic, chronic, and cruciate ligament conditions.
Some common accidents and illnesses that Budget Direct pet insurance can cover include:
| For dogs | For cats |
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Make sure you always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of any policy before you purchase, so you can understand your benefits, limits, and exclusions.
Why choose Budget Direct?
Budget Direct pet insurance doesn’t deal in bells and whistles but offers one policy that covers the essentials – this includes coverage for orthopaedic conditions. Another benefit is that the policy excess is payable per claimable condition, which means you won’t pay an excess when making a claim for a related condition during the same policy period.
Frequently asked questions
How can I pay for my Budget Direct pet insurance and is it cheaper to pay my premium annually?
You can pay your premiums by direct debit from your nominated bank account, or manually with a credit card or debit card. You can pay monthly or annually (with no discount).
How do I make a pet insurance claim with Budget Direct?
The easiest way to make a claim is via the dedicated online claims portal on the Budget Direct website. You only need to register your details once, and you’ll be able to submit new claims at any time and view your pet’s claims history. Alternatively, you can submit a claim by email or post with your vet’s itemised invoice and all your relevant paperwork.
How much of my vet bills does Budget Direct cover?
Budget Direct pet insurance can pay up to 80% of your eligible vet expenses up to the agreed annual limit and sub-limits per condition. You’ll generally pay the vet bill upfront and lodge a claim for reimbursem*nt of your eligible costs after. Check your policy’s PDS for more details on your cover.
Does Budget Direct pet insurance allow me to choose the treating vet?
You can choose any registered veterinarian, vet clinic, or mobile vet within Australia to treat your pet. There’s no schedule of fees or charges for vet services, so you may want to get different quotes for comparison to ensure you’re paying a fair price.
Does Budget Direct pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Budget Direct pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, and this is a standard exclusion across most pet insurance policies. This will also include any related or bilateral conditions to a pre-existing condition. Pre-existing conditions are illnesses, clinical signs, or symptoms of a sickness that developed before you took out your policy or during the waiting period.
Does Budget Direct pet insurance have waiting periods?
Budget Direct pet insurance has a two-day waiting period for accidental injuries and a standard 30-day waiting period for illnesses and tick paralysis treatment. Some specified ailments have an exclusion period of six months, including cruciate ligament conditions.
Is there an age limit for pets covered by Budget Direct pet insurance?
All pet insurance policies have age thresholds. If you’re taking out a Budget Direct pet insurance policy for the first time, your pet must be at least eight weeks old and under nine years; however, age limits don’t apply when renewing your policy provided you’ve maintained coverage with no breaks.
Do I have to pay an excess with Budget Direct pet insurance?
A standard policy excess is payable per condition when you claim; this means you won’t pay an excess twice if your pet needs vet care for the same condition within your policy period. Your excess will be deducted from your claim benefits, so make sure you read your policy terms for more information on excess and gap payments.
How do I cancel my Budget Direct pet insurance?
You can cancel your policy by phone and a cancellation fee may apply unless your pet has passed away. You can find all the relevant contact details for inquiries, claims, and cancellations on the website. Budget Direct pet insurance has a 21-day cooling-off period, so you can get your premiums refunded if you cancel your policy within the scheduled period and haven’t made a claim.
Compare pet insurance today
If you’re in the market for pet insurance, you don’t have to go far! You can use our online comparison tool to compare pet insurance policies all in one place, including Budget Direct pet insurance. Just enter a few details about your pet and see what insurers on our panel have to offer in terms of features, benefit limits, and price.
