Knose Pet Insurance vs Pet Insurance Australia — 2026 cat insurance comparison
By Catstuff Editorial · Updated 2026-05-13
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Knose Pet Insurance and Pet Insurance Australia both insure cats in Australia. Knose Pet Insurance is underwritten by PetSure; Pet Insurance Australia 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.
Owners who want to avoid out-of-pocket vet bills via direct-pay.
The verdict in one line
- Cheaper monthly: Knose Pet Insurance starts $2 less per month.
- Vet direct-pay: only Pet Insurance Australia offers vet-direct-pay. Saves $1,000+ upfront on a major bill.
Side-by-side
| Feature | Knose Pet Insurance | Pet Insurance Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Underwriter | PetSure | Hollard |
| From / month (1yo DSH) | $32 | $34 |
| To / month (1yo DSH) | $58 | $62 |
| Annual limit | Up to $15,000 | Up to $20,000 |
| Reimbursement | 60% / 70% / 80% | 70% / 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 | 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 | No upper enrolment age, but premiums steep after 9 | Up to age 9 for new policies |
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
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: 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): Pet Insurance Australia — 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.