Bow Wow Meow vs Pet Insurance Australia — 2026 cat insurance comparison
By Catstuff Editorial · Updated 2026-05-13
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Bow Wow Meow and Pet Insurance Australia both insure cats in Australia. Bow Wow Meow is underwritten by Hollard; Pet Insurance 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.
Owners who want to avoid out-of-pocket vet bills via direct-pay.
The verdict in one line
- Cheaper monthly: Pet Insurance Australia starts $4 less per month.
- Stronger hereditary cover: Bow Wow Meow (Strong) — matters if your cat is a pedigree with known genetic risk.
- Vet direct-pay: only Pet Insurance Australia offers vet-direct-pay. Saves $1,000+ upfront on a major bill.
Side-by-side
| Feature | Bow Wow Meow | Pet Insurance Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Underwriter | Hollard | Hollard |
| From / month (1yo DSH) | $38 | $34 |
| To / month (1yo DSH) | $72 | $62 |
| Annual limit | Up to $25,000 | Up to $20,000 |
| Reimbursement | 80% | 70% / 80% |
| Excess options | $100 / $200 | $100 / $200 |
| Illness waiting period | 30 days (illness), 0 days (accident) | 30 days (illness), 0 days (accident) |
| Hereditary cover | Strong | Standard |
| Routine care | Optional add-on | Optional add-on |
| Vet direct-pay | No | Yes |
| Accepts kittens from | From 8 weeks | From 8 weeks |
| Senior new enrolments | Reduced caps after 9 | Up to age 9 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
Pet Insurance Australia — what it does well
Pet Insurance Australia is the AU-owned Hollard policy. The standout feature is GapOnly vet direct-pay — your vet claims and you only pay the gap on the spot. Cuts out the wait between paying $2,000 upfront and receiving the reimbursement.
- GapOnly direct-to-vet payment (avoid upfront vet bills)
- AU-owned and AU-staffed claims team
- No age cap on continuing existing cover
- Up to 80% reimbursement on top tier
Which one wins for your cat?
- Young domestic shorthair, healthy, indoor-only: Pet Insurance Australia — 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: Pet Insurance Australia.
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.