Catstuff

Best Cat Insurance Australia 2026

Updated 2026-04-24 · Independently ranked

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.

We reviewed every major pet insurer operating in Australia in 2026. Below is our ranked shortlist — the three we'd personally recommend depending on your cat's age, breed, and your risk tolerance.

#1

Knose Pet Insurance

Best overall

Flexible accident + illness cover for cats with an optional routine care add-on. Underwritten by PetSure.

Starting premium
From $32/mo (domestic shorthair)
Reimbursement
Up to 80%
Excess options
Customisable $0, $100, $200, $500

Best for: Most cats under 8 years old — especially Ragdolls, British Shorthairs, domestic shorthairs.

#2

Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance

Best for pedigree hereditary cover

Despite the name, covers cats equally. Long-running AU brand, easy online claims app. Underwritten by Hollard.

Starting premium
From $38/mo
Reimbursement
Up to 80%
Excess options
$0, $100, $200

Best for: Maine Coons, Persians, Sphynx, older cats with mild pre-existing conditions.

#3

Pet Insurance Australia

Best for vet direct-pay

AU-owned. Pays vet direct option available. Comprehensive accident + illness tiers for cats.

Starting premium
From $30/mo
Reimbursement
Up to 80%
Excess options
$100, $200, $300

Best for: Multi-pet households; anyone who hates out-of-pocket wait.

How we ranked them

  1. Claim speed — based on publicly-reported average claim turnaround (4–14 days across the market).
  2. Value — premium divided by annual benefit cap, adjusted for the breed-specific exclusions in the PDS.
  3. Flexibility — excess options, reimbursement %, optional routine care (dental, vaccinations).
  4. Real-world reputation — ProductReview ratings above 3.8/5 and fewer than 1% AFCA complaints.

What to ignore

"Best pet insurance" articles that rank Woolworths, Coles, or big-bank-branded policies are almost always padding — these are all underwritten by PetSure with the same PDS as Knose or RSPCA Pet, just with a different front-end brand and marketing budget. Compare on price and claim experience, not the sticker.

Our pick if you just want to decide and move on

Start with a free Knose quote — flexible excess, direct online claims, and the best-balanced policy we found for cats under 8. Takes under two minutes to price.