You may have heard tales of pet insurance that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Heck, you might even have such a deal.
Even though pet insurance is optional, it's hard to imagine not having some additional support in place if your pet has an unexpected injury or illness. Yet the majority of Australian pet owners are not yet on the pet insurance train; it’s other assets, such as property, vehicles and health that see more people locking in coverage.
So why not our pets? One of the biggest barriers between pet owners and insurance for their furry friends is cost. It's either too much, or they don't think they're getting enough for the price.
When Ruff'n'Tumble debuted its low-cost $40 per month accident insurance for dogs, it was a direct answer to that age-old question: does a cost-conscious pet insurance option exist? Now you can insure your dog, whatever their breed or age, against unexpected accidents for a flat monthly fee, and a flat $500 excess per accident.
No rising premiums based on your pets age, excess that doesn’t inflate according to the number of claims lodged, dogs of all ages and breeds welcome. That's a lot of consistency for an insurance product; yeah, we were surprised too.
Is there a catch? Well, more of a trade-off. Accident insurance is just that: only accidents are covered. No illness, no pre-existing conditions, no hereditary illnesses. But for owners of energetic pups or golden oldies wanting to keep costs down, sticking to accidents can make a lot of sense.
Illnesses and their treatment can be easier to prepare for. Accidents can strike without warning, leaving you with a big vet bill out of the blue. How big? PetSure 2025 claims data* shows the average cost of paralysis tick treatment was $1,389, while the highest topped out at an eye-watering $59,147.
With Ruff'n'Tumble, you pay the $500 excess to cover eligible treatments, such as accidents like snake bites or falls. It’s the same for any other eligible accident covered by Ruff'n'Tumble. Just $40 per month, a $500 excess per accident and no payout limits.
But what is an eligible accident? You may be surprised. Along with paralysis ticks, here are some of the sudden, one-off canine calamities covered by Ruff'n'Tumble, as well as what vet treatment cost in 2025*:
- Toxicity (plants, chocolate etc) - average cost of treatment in 2025: $848. Highest: $41,657.
- Swallowed foreign objects – average cost: $1,033. Highest: $41,657.
- Snake bites – average cost: $1,260. Highest: $25,077.
- Falls or motor vehicle incidents – average cost for fractures, lacerations and abrasions in 2025: $515. Highest: $21,124.
- Rough play injuries – average cost: $618. Highest: $14,437.
Treatment can include emergency vet visits, tests and diagnostics, surgery and medication, hospital stays and follow-up care. That can be less weight on your mind should something bad happen.
Low-cost insurance is a term that can trouble those in the market for coverage. Are you going to get less for your money? Is the fine print working overtime against you? Will you be left high and dry when you need help?
We designed Ruff'n'Tumble in response to these concerns. Our pets deserve to be covered against accidents at least as much as our cars. If price is the barrier preventing greater pet insurance take-up, we made the obvious move. That we're backed by PetSure, Australia's largest pet insurer, adds an extra layer of comfort.
Cost-conscious pet insurance does exist, and it's available for your dog right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the catch with low-cost pet insurance?
Low-cost pet insurance that's accident-only, like Ruff'n'Tumble, covers sudden injuries such as snake bites or swallowed objects, not illness, pre-existing conditions or hereditary conditions. Comprehensive pet insurance costs more but covers those ongoing conditions too.
What counts as an accident for dog insurance?
Ruff'n'Tumble covers eligible accidents such as paralysis tick bites, toxicity from plants or chocolate, swallowed foreign objects, snake bites, falls or motor vehicle incidents and rough play injuries. Eligible treatment can include emergency vet visits, surgery and hospital stays.
Why do pet insurance premiums increase as a dog ages?
The older a dog gets, the more prone it is to injury and illness, which makes it costlier to insure under typical age-based pricing. Ruff'n'Tumble's accident-only cover lets it charge a flat monthly fee that doesn't rise with a dog's age or breed.
Is there a limit on dog accident insurance payouts?
Ruff'n'Tumble has no payout limits on eligible accident claims, so there's no cap on the amount paid toward a covered injury's treatment. You pay a flat $500 excess on each eligible accident regardless of the total treatment cost.
Can I cancel dog insurance at any time?
Ruff'n'Tumble has no lock-in contract, so you can cancel dog insurance cover whenever you like. If you take out cover again later, the policy terms and conditions apply again.
*Based on 2025 PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd (‘PetSure’) claims data as at Oct 2026. Amount claimed per policy over a 12-month period.
