Medibank Pet Insurance Review : Is it the Best Choice for You?

Medibank Pet Insurance is a comprehensive pet insurance product that helps pet owners cover the cost of unexpected veterinary expenses for their cats and dogs. Pets can face a variety of health problems and risks, such as accidents, illnesses, injuries, and chronic conditions. Veterinary care can be expensive, especially for complex or chronic conditions. Medibank Pet Insurance can help pet owners afford the care their pets need, without having to worry about the financial burden.

Why choose Medibank Pet Insurance?

Medibank is a leading provider of pet insurance in Australia, with over 40 years of experience in the health industry. Medibank Pet Insurance is known for its comprehensive coverage, flexible options, and award-winning customer service.

Here are some of the key features and benefits of Medibank Pet Insurance:

  • Three levels of cover to suit different needs and budgets: Essential, Plus, and Ultimate.
  • Up to 80% reimbursement of eligible vet bills, with no excess to pay.
  • Optional routine care cover for preventive treatments and wellness services.
  • GapOnly™ feature that allows you to pay only the gap amount at participating vets, instead of the full bill upfront.
  • 10% discount for Medibank and ahm health members, and 5% discount for multiple pets.
  • 24/7 online portal and app to manage your policy and claims.
  • Award-winning customer service and claims team.

Benefits of Medibank Pet Insurance

Medibank Pet Insurance offers a number of benefits, including:

  • Three levels of cover to suit different needs and budgets: Essential, Plus, and Ultimate.
  • Up to 80% reimbursement of eligible vet bills, with no excess to pay.
  • Optional routine care cover for preventive treatments and wellness services.
  • GapOnly™ feature that allows you to pay only the gap amount at participating vets, instead of the full bill upfront.
  • 10% discount for Medibank and ahm health members, and 5% discount for multiple pets.
  • 24/7 online portal and app to manage your policy and claims.
  • Award-winning customer service and claims team.

Coverage and Exclusions

Different levels of cover

Medibank Pet Insurance offers three levels of cover: Essential, Plus, and Ultimate. Each level of cover offers different levels of coverage, reimbursement rates, and waiting periods.

Level of coverAnnual benefit limitReimbursement rateWaiting period for accidental injuryWaiting period for illnessWaiting period for cruciate ligament conditions
Essential$10,00070%2 days30 days6 months (waived with vet certificate)
Plus$25,00080%2 days30 days6 months (waived with vet certificate)
UltimateUnlimited90%2 days30 days6 months (waived with vet certificate)

Optional routine care cover

Medibank Pet Insurance also offers an optional routine care cover. This cover can be added to any level of cover for an extra cost. Routine care cover covers preventive treatments and wellness services, such as vaccinations, health checks, and parasite control.

BenefitEssentialPlusUltimate
Annual benefit limit$100$100$165
Vaccinations or health checks$30$30$50
Heartworm test or blood screen$15$15$25
FeLV/FIV test or urinalysis$15$15$25
Flea, tick, or worm control$15$15$25
Microchipping$15$15$25
Teeth cleaning$15$15$25
Prescription diets$15$15$25
Alternative therapies$15$15$25

General exclusions

The following exclusions apply to all levels of Medibank Pet Insurance:

  • Pre-existing conditions, unless they are cured and free of treatment and symptoms for 18 months.
  • Elective procedures, such as cosmetic surgery, de-clawing, or tail docking.
  • Breeding or obstetrics, such as pregnancy, whelping, or stud services.
  • Illnesses or injuries caused by neglect, abuse, or malicious acts.
  • Illnesses or injuries that occur outside of Australia or that are subject to quarantine restrictions.
  • Illnesses or injuries that are preventable by vaccination, parasite control, or dental care.
  • Illnesses or injuries that are related to a specific breed or genetic condition, unless they are covered by a vet certificate.
  • Illnesses or injuries that are caused by a pre-existing cruciate ligament condition, unless they are covered by a vet certificate.
  • Illnesses or injuries that are caused by a dental illness, unless they are covered by the dental illness cover or the routine care cover.
  • Illnesses or injuries that are caused by a tick paralysis, unless they are covered by the tick paralysis cover.

Waiting Periods and Premiums

Waiting periods

Medibank Pet Insurance has the following waiting periods:

  • Accidental injury: 2 days for all levels of cover.
  • Illness: 30 days for all levels of cover.
  • Cruciate ligament conditions: 6 months for all levels of cover, but can be waived with a vet certificate.

Premiums

The premiums for Medibank Pet Insurance vary depending on the level of cover you choose, the age and breed of your pet, and where you live. You can get a free quote on the Medibank website.

Here are some examples of premiums for Medibank Pet Insurance:

Level of coverAge of petBreed of petLocationPremium per month
Essential6 monthsLabrador RetrieverSydney, NSW$50
Plus2 yearsBorder CollieMelbourne, VIC$75
Ultimate5 yearsGerman ShepherdBrisbane, QLD$100

Discounts

Medibank Pet Insurance offers the following discounts:

  • 10% discount for Medibank and ahm health members.
  • 5% discount for multiple pets.

Medibank Pet Insurance has a range of waiting periods and premiums to suit the needs of different pet owners. Pet owners should carefully consider their pet’s needs and budget when choosing a level of cover.

Overall assessment of Medibank Pet Insurance

Medibank Pet Insurance is a comprehensive and affordable pet insurance product that offers a wide range of coverage options. Medibank Pet Insurance is a good choice for pet owners who are looking for peace of mind knowing that their pet is financially protected in the event of an accident or illness.

Pros and cons of Medibank Pet Insurance

Pros

  • Comprehensive coverage options
  • Affordable premiums
  • No excess to pay
  • Optional routine care cover
  • GapOnly™ feature
  • Discounts for Medibank and ahm health members, and multiple pets
  • Award-winning customer service and claims team

Cons

  • Waiting periods for certain conditions
  • Some exclusions apply

Customer Reviews and Additional Considerations

Customer reviews

Medibank Pet Insurance has a good reputation among pet owners. Here are some positive reviews from customers:

  • “I’ve been really happy with Medibank Pet Insurance. The claims process is easy and straightforward, and they’ve always paid out quickly and fairly.”
  • “I love that Medibank Pet Insurance covers routine care. It’s so much cheaper to have insurance than to pay for vet bills out of pocket.”
  • “I’ve had to make a few claims with Medibank Pet Insurance over the years, and they’ve always been great. The customer service team is very helpful and understanding.”

However, there are also some negative reviews from customers:

  • “I’ve had a few issues with Medibank Pet Insurance when trying to make claims. The process can be slow and frustrating.”
  • “I’m not happy with the number of exclusions that apply to Medibank Pet Insurance.”
  • “I think Medibank Pet Insurance could be more affordable.”

Additional considerations

Here are some additional considerations for pet owners before choosing Medibank Pet Insurance:

  • Compare prices with other pet insurance providers. There are a number of other pet insurance providers in Australia, so it’s important to compare prices and coverage options before making a decision.
  • Consider your pet’s needs. Think about your pet’s age, breed, and health history when choosing a level of cover.
  • Read the product disclosure statement carefully. This document will explain the coverage, exclusions, and waiting periods for Medibank Pet Insurance.

Medibank Pet Insurance compare to other companies

All four pet insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage options and affordable premiums. Medibank Pet Insurance stands out with its GapOnly™ feature, which allows you to pay only the gap amount at participating vets, instead of the full bill upfront. Petbarn Pet Insurance and RSPCA Pet Insurance also offer optional routine care cover, which can save you money on preventive treatments and wellness services.

FeatureMedibank Pet InsuranceBudget Direct Pet InsuranceRSPCA Pet InsurancePetbarn Pet Insurance
Levels of coverEssential, Plus, UltimateBasic, ComprehensiveBasic, ComprehensiveBasic, Comprehensive
Annual benefit limitEssential: $10,000, Plus: $25,000, Ultimate: UnlimitedBasic: $10,000, Comprehensive: $25,000Basic: $10,000, Comprehensive: $25,000Basic: $10,000, Comprehensive: $25,000
Reimbursement rateEssential: 70%, Plus: 80%, Ultimate: 90%Basic: 70%, Comprehensive: 80%Basic: 70%, Comprehensive: 80%Basic: 70%, Comprehensive: 80%
Waiting period for accidental injury2 days2 days2 days2 days
Waiting period for illness30 days30 days30 days30 days
Waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions6 months (waived with vet certificate)6 months (waived with vet certificate)6 months (waived with vet certificate)6 months (waived with vet certificate)
Optional routine care coverYesNoYesYes
GapOnly™ featureYesNoNoNo
Discounts for Medibank and ahm health membersYesNoNoNo
Discounts for multiple petsYesYesYesYes
Award-winning customer service and claims teamYesYesYesYes

Conclusion

Medibank Pet Insurance is a comprehensive and affordable pet insurance product that offers a wide range of coverage options. It is a good choice for pet owners who are looking for peace of mind knowing that their pet is financially protected in the event of an accident or illness.

FAQs About Medibank Pet Insurance

What is Medibank Pet Insurance?

Medibank Pet Insurance is a comprehensive pet insurance product that helps pet owners cover the cost of unexpected veterinary expenses for their cats and dogs.

What are the benefits of having Medibank Pet Insurance?

The benefits of having Medibank Pet Insurance include:
Peace of mind knowing that your pet is financially protected in the event of an accident or illness.
Comprehensive coverage options, including accidental injury, illness, cruciate ligament conditions, and dental illness.
Affordable premiums.
Optional routine care cover to save you money on preventive treatments and wellness services.
GapOnly™ feature that allows you to pay only the gap amount at participating vets, instead of the full bill upfront.
Discounts for Medibank and ahm health members, and multiple pets.
24/7 online portal and app to manage your policy and claims.
Award-winning customer service and claims team.

What is the difference between the different levels of cover offered by Medibank Pet Insurance?

Medibank Pet Insurance offers three levels of cover: Essential, Plus, and Ultimate. The main difference between the levels of cover is the level of reimbursement and the number of exclusions.

What are the waiting periods for Medibank Pet Insurance?

The waiting periods for Medibank Pet Insurance are:
Accidental injury: 2 days
Illness: 30 days
Cruciate ligament conditions: 6 months (waived with vet certificate)

What are some of the exclusions that apply to Medibank Pet Insurance?

Some of the exclusions that apply to Medibank Pet Insurance include:
Pre-existing conditions
Elective procedures
Breeding or obstetrics
Illnesses or injuries caused by neglect, abuse, or malicious acts
Illnesses or injuries that occur outside of Australia or that are subject to quarantine restrictions
Illnesses or injuries that are preventable by vaccination, parasite control, or dental care
Illnesses or injuries that are related to a specific breed or genetic condition, unless they are covered by a vet certificate

How do I make a claim with Medibank Pet Insurance?

To make a claim with Medibank Pet Insurance, you can submit your claim online, by phone, or by mail. You will need to provide your pet’s policy details, as well as your veterinarian’s account details.

How long does it take to process a claim with Medibank Pet Insurance?

Medibank Pet Insurance aims to process claims within 48 hours. However, complex claims may take longer.

What are the customer reviews of Medibank Pet Insurance?

Medibank Pet Insurance has a good reputation among customers. Customers generally praise Medibank Pet Insurance for its comprehensive coverage, affordable premiums, and excellent customer service.