At Ruff’n’Tumble, we like to make a big fuss about how we’re purely accident cover. On the surface it’s simple: dog ‘spills the milk’, we help clean it up.

But there’s much more to it. What if that dog has a cold when it ‘spills that milk’? What if they’re old and have arthritis? What if they’re allergic to milk?!

Every dog is different, and we believe an insurance policy should fit like a couture collar. But accidents and illnesses don’t discriminate. Whoever you or your dog is, vet bills can arise when you least expect them.

If you have the wrong cover, you could be paying for unnecessary features...or paying even more for not having the necessary ones.

Take a look into your dog’s eyes and ask yourself: what’s the right cover for you? A good way to answer means weighing the benefits of comprehensive coverage versus a streamlined accident-only policy, so let’s do it.

WHAT IS COMPREHENSIVE PET INSURANCE?

The pet insurance landscape is mostly made up of comprehensive policies. These are generally designed to provide broad protection against both accidental injuries and eligible illnesses. They aren’t all the same, but there are some golden oldies would-be purchasers can expect.

These may include cover for eligible illnesses and accidental injuries, prescription medication benefits, surgery and hospitalisation benefits and diagnostics. Then there are the optional extras or add-ons that allow buyers to customise their cover to suit their circumstances: dental care, specialised therapies or routine care are often among the options.

Comprehensive policies tend to be comprehensively priced. Premiums are higher because they cover more scenarios, and they can vary even further depending on your pet. It’s not unusual for premiums to increase year on year as your pet ages.

WHAT IS ACCIDENT-ONLY PET INSURANCE?

Accident insurance narrows the coverage to eligible injuries caused by (you guessed it) sudden and unexpected accidents. It’s a simpler, lower-cost option because it doesn’t cover illnesses.

The lower price point, or in Ruff’n’Tumble’s case, the $40 per month flat fee, still goes a long way. Accidents happen, but what happens next can hurt just as much: emergency treatment, surgery and ongoing medication.

But for that flat monthly fee (and $500 excess per claim), eligible accidents and their treatment are covered without breaking the bank. While you do sacrifice the illness cover and other benefits offered by comprehensive policies, the trade-off is a no-frills package that makes insurance claims for accidents simple.

HEAD TO HEAD

Here’s the breakdown:

Comprehensive insurance:

• Covers eligible accidents and illnesses
• May offer optional preventative-care benefits
• Broader protection across a wider range of veterinary needs
• Generally costs more because it covers more
• Premiums generally increase year on year, and may vary based on pet details and cover selections
• The age and breed of a dog can affect coverage; after a certain age (typically nine years old) many insurers will no longer offer cover for new policies

Accident-only insurance

• Covers eligible accidental injuries only
• Does not cover illnesses such as cancer, diabetes or arthritis.
• Focused on unexpected injury events
• Often has a lower cost entry point due to the narrower scope of coverage
• Some products, like Ruff’n’Tumble, use a simplified flat-fee structure that doesn’t increase as your dog ages
• In Ruff’n’Tumble’s case, age and breed are not a factor. Any dog can be covered

WHICH ONE’S RIGHT FOR YOU?

Accident insurance may appeal to those on a tighter budget or whose dogs are very young, very old or very accident-prone. Comprehensive cover often excludes dogs of a certain age (usually older dogs), but Ruff’n’Tumble is available to dogs of all ages and breeds.

If you’re thinking of going the accident-only route, there are some questions worth considering:

• Could you comfortably pay for a serious illness out of pocket?
• Do any benefit limits apply?
• Are there waiting periods, exclusions or sub-limits?
• What optional extras are available, and do they matter to you?
• Is your dog more likely to have an accident or experience illness?

A higher energy dog, or dogs on either end of the age spectrum could be more at risk of an unexpected accident, while many older dogs are excluded from most insurance policies on the market.

YOUR PET, YOUR POLICY

Insurance is never a one-size-fits-all proposition. Your needs, and those of your pet, should come first. The options are out there now, so it pays to look around and find out which policies or features will suit you best.

That said, some broader truths of pet ownership are worth keeping in mind. Accidents happen when pets are in your life, and they’re not easy to plan for. An accident-only policy can help keep eligible injury-related expenses under control and give you confidence when the unexpected happens.

FAQs

What is the difference between accident-only and comprehensive dog insurance?

Accident-only dog insurance covers eligible injuries from sudden events like falls or swallowed objects, while comprehensive dog insurance also covers eligible illnesses such as cancer or arthritis. Ruff'n'Tumble is accident-only cover, so it protects against injuries rather than illness.

Does accident-only dog insurance cover illnesses?

Ruff'n'Tumble's accident-only cover does not include illnesses such as cancer, diabetes or arthritis, because it's designed purely for sudden injuries. Comprehensive policies are the ones that cover eligible illnesses, usually at a higher premium.

How much does Ruff'n'Tumble dog insurance cost each month?

Ruff'n'Tumble charges a flat $40 per month, no matter your dog's age or breed. That fee doesn't rise as your dog gets older, unlike many comprehensive premiums which increase year on year.

Can I insure an older dog with Ruff'n'Tumble?

Yes, Ruff'n'Tumble covers dogs of any age or breed, with no upper age limit on new policies. Many comprehensive insurers stop offering new cover once a dog turns nine, but age isn't a factor for Ruff'n'Tumble's accident-only cover.

What is the excess on a Ruff'n'Tumble claim?

You pay a flat $500 excess per eligible claim with Ruff'n'Tumble, rather than a percentage of the vet bill. This flat amount stays the same no matter the size of the claim.

Which dogs benefit most from accident-only cover?

High energy dogs and those at either end of the age spectrum often benefit most from accident-only cover, since they're more prone to unexpected injuries. Ruff'n'Tumble suits these dogs well because age and breed never affect eligibility or price.

How do I pay vet bills with dog insurance?

Every Ruff'n'Tumble policy is GapOnly® ready as standard, so an eligible claim can be assessed at the vet and you pay only the gap instead of the full bill upfront. GapOnly® works at participating vet clinics, so it's worth checking whether your vet offers it.