Petplan Australia — 2026 review for cat owners

By Catstuff Editorial · Updated 2026-05-13

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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.

What Petplan Australia actually covers

Petplan Australia is underwritten by Hollard. Hollard underwrites Bow Wow Meow, Pet Insurance Australia, Petplan, Petsy and Budget Direct. Hollard policies typically have stronger hereditary-condition cover than PetSure-underwritten brands, which matters for pedigree breeds with known genetic risk.

For cats specifically, the line items that matter most: vet consultations, diagnostics (bloods, urinalysis, ultrasound), surgery, dental (often a separate optional cover), prescription medication, hospital stays, and emergency overnight care.Petplan Australia reimburses 80% of eligible costs up to Up to $20,000 per condition annually per year.

Pros

• 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

Watch out for

• Among the most expensive AU policies
• Strict pre-existing exclusions on first enrolment

Waiting periods & age limits

• Illness waiting period: 21 days (illness), 5 days (accident)
• Accepts kittens from: From 6 weeks
• Seniors / new enrolments: Up to 9 years for new policies

Pre-existing exclusions are universal across AU pet insurance. Anything diagnosed or showing symptoms before enrolment (and the relevant waiting period) is excluded for life. The most common gotcha: vet notes a "grade 1 heart murmur, monitor" at the kitten check — anything cardiac is now excluded. Enrolling early matters.

Is Petplan Australia right for your cat?

Cats with a likely chronic-disease trajectory — Burmese (diabetes), seniors, breeds prone to CKD.

The cleanest sanity-check: get a quote from Petplan Australiaand one alternative from the opposite underwriter (PetSure ↔ Hollard). If the premium gap is < 10% and you don't have specific breed-hereditary concerns, take the cheaper. If you have a pedigree with known hereditary risk, default to the Hollard product even at a 15–20% premium.

Compare Petplan Australia head-to-head

Updated 2026-05-13 · Not financial advice — always read the PDS.