Bow Wow Meow vs Petplan Australia — 2026 cat insurance comparison
By Catstuff Editorial · Updated 2026-05-13
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Bow Wow Meow and Petplan Australia both insure cats in Australia. Bow Wow Meow is underwritten by Hollard; Petplan Australia by Hollard. Same underwriter, similar product DNA — the differentiators are price, member discounts, and the claims app.
Pedigree cats — Ragdoll, Maine Coon, Persian, Sphynx, British Shorthair.
Cats with a likely chronic-disease trajectory — Burmese (diabetes), seniors, breeds prone to CKD.
The verdict in one line
- Cheaper monthly: Bow Wow Meow starts $6 less per month.
Side-by-side
| Feature | Bow Wow Meow | Petplan Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Underwriter | Hollard | Hollard |
| From / month (1yo DSH) | $38 | $44 |
| To / month (1yo DSH) | $72 | $88 |
| Annual limit | Up to $25,000 | Up to $20,000 per condition annually |
| Reimbursement | 80% | 80% |
| Excess options | $100 / $200 | $100 / $200 / $300 |
| Illness waiting period | 30 days (illness), 0 days (accident) | 21 days (illness), 5 days (accident) |
| Hereditary cover | Strong | Strong |
| Routine care | Optional add-on | Optional add-on |
| Vet direct-pay | No | No |
| Accepts kittens from | From 8 weeks | From 6 weeks |
| Senior new enrolments | Reduced caps after 9 | Up to 9 years for new policies |
Bow Wow Meow — what it does well
Despite the dog-leaning name, Bow Wow Meow has the strongest hereditary cover in the AU market — making it the right call for Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Persian, Sphynx and British Shorthair where HCM, PKD or genetic disease is the realistic claim driver. Hollard-underwritten with a 24/7 vet helpline.
- Best hereditary cover in the AU market — fewer breed exclusions than PetSure policies
- 24/7 vet helpline included free
- Multi-pet discount stacks across cats and dogs
- Up to $25,000 annual limit on top tier
Petplan Australia — what it does well
Petplan's Covered for Life plans renew chronic-condition cover every year — most other AU policies stop reimbursing for the same condition after 12 months. For cats developing diabetes, IBD, hyperthyroidism or CKD, this is the difference between cover that compounds and cover that drops away.
- True lifetime cover for chronic conditions (most AU policies cap at 12 months)
- No age cap on continuing existing policies
- Generous dental cover on top tiers
Which one wins for your cat?
- Young domestic shorthair, healthy, indoor-only: Bow Wow Meow — the small premium gap matters more than hereditary cover for a low-risk cat.
- Pedigree with hereditary risk (Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Persian, Sphynx, Burmese, British Shorthair): Bow Wow Meow — the stronger hereditary cover usually pays for itself by year 5.
- Older cat (8+) being newly enrolled: Whichever still accepts new enrolments at this age. Check current rules — the answer drifts year-to-year.
- Big upfront vet bill is your worry, not the monthly premium: Neither — both reimburse after you pay.
More cat insurance comparisons
Updated 2026-05-13 · Not financial advice — read each insurer's PDS before buying. Premium snapshots are mid-2026 indicative quotes for a 1-year-old domestic shorthair, metro postcode.