PDS + QUOTE WORKSHEET · AUSTRALIA
Pet Insurance Document Checklist
Capture the same fields from every current policy document, so a low premium cannot hide a high excess, narrow limit or important exclusion.
Short answer
Read the current PDS first, then use the personalised quote and policy schedule to fill in this worksheet. A marketing page or old example price is not enough to establish what your pet's policy will cover.
Reviewed 30 August 2026 · General information only · No provider ranking or current premium is stated here.
PRIMARY SOURCES / START HERE
Use the provider's current PDS, policy schedule and quote for the actual decision. These regulator and consumer-education sources explain the surrounding disclosure and insurance context.
1. Gather the right documents
For each provider, save the document title, version or effective date, and the exact quote inputs. Keep the PDS and quote together because they answer different questions.
2. Fill the same comparison fields
Write “not stated” when a field is unclear, then ask the provider before treating the policies as comparable. Do not replace an unknown with a market average.
| Field | Where to look | What to capture | Decision question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover and eligibility | PDS, quote and schedule | Accident, illness, lifetime or other cover; entry age; species, breed and location rules. | Is this policy available for this pet and the risks you intend to insure? |
| Premium and fees | Personalised quote | Premium, payment frequency, policy/admin fees and quote date. | Are you comparing the same pet, settings and payment basis? |
| Excess and co-payment | PDS and schedule | Amount, percentage, when it applies and whether it changes at renewal. | What would you pay before or alongside a claim? |
| Benefit calculation | PDS and schedule | Reimbursement percentage, eligible-bill basis and subtractions. | How is the reimbursed amount calculated on an eligible bill? |
| Annual and sub-limits | PDS and schedule | Annual limit, condition/category caps, per-item caps and remaining-limit rules. | Could a category cap be reached before the headline annual limit? |
| Waiting periods | PDS and policy start terms | Accident, illness and specified-condition waiting periods; effective date. | When would a new condition become eligible for assessment? |
| Exclusions and pre-existing conditions | PDS definitions and schedule | Definition, bilateral wording, dental/routine-care exclusions and review options. | Could the history or treatment type exclude the claim? |
| Claims and renewal | PDS, claims guide and schedule | Evidence, deadlines, renewal changes, cancellation and complaint process. | What must happen after treatment, and what can change later? |
Fit boundary
This worksheet helps you find and record policy terms; it does not calculate claim outcomes or recommend a provider. A current PDS, policy schedule and personalised quote can still require clarification from the insurer. Ask about any field that is ambiguous before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What document should I read before buying pet insurance?
Read the insurer's current Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), then check the policy schedule and personalised quote. The PDS explains definitions, limits, exclusions and claims terms; the quote and schedule show the offer for your pet.
Which quote fields should I compare?
Use the same pet details and record premium frequency, excess, reimbursement or benefit calculation, annual and sub-limits, waiting periods, co-payment, exclusions and renewal terms for each quote.
Can I rely on an old PDS or an example premium?
No. PDS versions, eligibility rules and premiums can change. Check the document date and obtain a current personalised quote for the same pet and cover settings before deciding.
Ready to compare?
Use the same fields on the main provider worksheet, then open the current documents before applying.
Open the provider worksheet →