Knose Pet Insurance vs Bow Wow Meow — 2026 cat insurance comparison
By Catstuff Editorial · Updated 2026-05-13
Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we'd use with our own cats.
Knose Pet Insurance and Bow Wow Meow both insure cats in Australia. Knose Pet Insurance is underwritten by PetSure; Bow Wow Meow by Hollard. Different underwriters, so the cover wording, hereditary stance, and claims experience differ meaningfully.
Most domestic shorthairs under 8 — flexible cover at a good price.
Pedigree cats — Ragdoll, Maine Coon, Persian, Sphynx, British Shorthair.
The verdict in one line
- Cheaper monthly: Knose Pet Insurance starts $6 less per month.
- Stronger hereditary cover: Bow Wow Meow (Strong) — matters if your cat is a pedigree with known genetic risk.
Side-by-side
| Feature | Knose Pet Insurance | Bow Wow Meow |
|---|---|---|
| Underwriter | PetSure | Hollard |
| From / month (1yo DSH) | $32 | $38 |
| To / month (1yo DSH) | $58 | $72 |
| Annual limit | Up to $15,000 | Up to $25,000 |
| Reimbursement | 60% / 70% / 80% | 80% |
| Excess options | $0 / $200 / $500 | $100 / $200 |
| Illness waiting period | 21 days (illness), 0 days (accident after 24hr) | 30 days (illness), 0 days (accident) |
| Hereditary cover | Standard | Strong |
| Routine care | Optional add-on | Optional add-on |
| Vet direct-pay | No | No |
| Accepts kittens from | From 8 weeks | From 8 weeks |
| Senior new enrolments | No upper enrolment age, but premiums steep after 9 | Reduced caps after 9 |
Knose Pet Insurance — what it does well
Knose is the most customisable insurer in Australia. Pick your excess, reimbursement %, and annual limit — premium adjusts in real-time. Great for owners who know their budget and want to shape cover around it. Underwritten by PetSure (the dominant AU pet underwriter).
- Customise excess ($0–$500), reimbursement (60–80%) and annual limit
- Optional routine care covers vaccinations, desexing, microchip
- Fast app-based claims (most paid in 3–5 days)
- No age cap on continuing cover once enrolled
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
Which one wins for your cat?
- Young domestic shorthair, healthy, indoor-only: Knose Pet Insurance — 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.