No insurance policy can cover you for every eventuality. Anything that is not covered by your pet insurance is referred to as an 'exclusion'. Your policy booklet and 'schedule' will indicate which exclusions apply to your insurance. These two documents are given to you by your insurer when you take out a pet insurance policy. Ensure you read them carefully, so that you fully understand how your insurance works.
Pet insurance companies will not cover pre-existing conditions or any routine treatments, such as neutering or flea control. Pre-existing conditions are those that existed before you took out the policy; this rule usually applies to all areas of cover. You will often find that many insurers will only cover your pet if it is between a certain age range; if it is younger than eight weeks, or older than eight years, an insurer may refuse to insure it.
Typically, your pet insurance will not cover the following:
> Illnesses that arise within the first 10, 14 or 30 days of the start of the policy
> Pre-existing Conditions - where illness or symptoms or signs of illness or other conditions exist prior to commencement of the insurance policy
> Illnesses or conditions that arise as a result of pregnancy or giving birth
> Some dogs or animals listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act or Dangerous Wild Animals such as a Pit Bull Terrier or Wolfdog
> Dental treatment*
> Behavioural problems*
> Hereditary conditions
> Any pet that is destroyed under a court order
> Loss of pet where Australian animal health or import laws were broken
> Travel outside of Australia (unless you took out Travel Cover)
> A claim as a result of a disease that should be reported to authorities, such as rabies
> Racing, guarding or working pets, such as police dogs
* some insurers provide this cover for an extra charge
