5 January, 2026: Sydney, Australia – PetSure extends pet insurance coverage, regardless of policy type, for existing customers affected by severe weather events across Australia.
Extreme flooding has struck northern Queensland after the region was inundated with heavy rainfall in late December and early January. As the deluge continues, PetSure is extending its pet insurance coverage for affected customers.
The flooding is the latest in a series of extreme weather events that have impacted the nation. Last month, bushfires tore across the NSW Central Coast and the east coast of Tasmania, destroying homes and causing residents to evacuate. In November, south-east Queensland experienced severe storms with winds of more than 100km/h, while Darwin was hit by Tropical Cyclone Fina, a category four weather system which left a trail of destruction in the Northern Territory.
Such weather conditions pose serious risks to pets. It’s crucial to ensure pets receive timely medical attention and care in these situations.
Vet-approved tips for pet safety during emergencies:
- Keep your pets indoors to prevent them from getting lost or injured.
- Have your pet emergency kit essentials handy including adequate food and water, medications, vet records and their harness, carrier or crate.
- Create a calm environment for pets to help reduce stress during the event.
- Inspect your home and surrounding areas for hazards, debris and contaminants before allowing pets back outside after the event.
Vet telehealth as an option for accessing veterinary care
LiveVet telehealth provides access to experienced vets online for eligible PetSure customers as part of certain policies for no additional cost. With LiveVet, customers with access to power can connect with Australian-registered vets 24/7 via their provider’s Pet Portal within minutes for a video call.
Australians without a pet insurance policy can still access Australian-registered vets online via telehealth at leading vet telehealth provider VetChat.
What does the coverage extension include?
PetSure will temporarily extend coverage for all existing pet insurance policies until 28 February 2026.
- PetSure will provide cover for pet health complications for the insured pet, regardless of policy type or coverage level, that arise as a result of NSW and Tasmanian bushfires, Tropical Cyclone Fina and severe rain and flooding in Queensland.
- For a limited time, PetSure will also extend cover, regardless of policy type, to reimburse the full incurred cost of emergency boarding at a licenced kennel or cattery to customers who have no access to accommodation or have been displaced or evacuated. Cover for emergency boarding will be provided up to the policy annual benefit limit, but without application of the emergency boarding sub-limit, excess or benefit percentage. Extended cover for emegency boarding for your insured pets will be available until 28 February 2026.
PetSure will waive waiting periods for pet health complications occurring because of the weather event.
Underlying pre-existing conditions that occurred or worsened directly as a result of the extreme weather event will be eligible. Coverage is provided up to your annual benefit limit. All other policy terms and conditions continue to apply. If you’re unsure if your policy is administered and/or issued by PetSure, visit out partner page:
How do I know if I’m eligible?
To be eligible, customers must:
- Be an existing Australian policyholder of a PetSure issued and/or administered policy.
- Have the event or expense be in relation to the insured pet under the policy.
- Be located within or near a weather-affected zone, as assessed by the PetSure claims team.
- Provide documents, such as a fully paid invoice (for non-GapOnly® claims), indicating a pet health complication and/or emergency boarding expense in relation to the event.
Customers can submit their invoice/s and policy number to [email protected].
PetSure Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Dr Simone Maher is available to discuss the initiative and offer advice to pet owners.
ABOUT PETSURE:
PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd (“PetSure”) is Australia’s leading pet insurer. For over 20 years, PetSure has been the market leader in both size and innovation. PetSure issues and administers the pet insurance policies of over 20 partner brands.
As the category leader, and in close collaboration with members of the veterinary industry, PetSure continually seeks to extend coverage, keep pace with modern veterinary practices, and provide pet insurance policies that are transparent and operate with the highest levels of integrity.
In March 2023, PetSure obtained its own APRA general insurance license, making it the first general insurer in Australia that’s fully dedicated to pet insurance. PetSure is committed to the long-term growth and sustainability of the pet insurance category.
Disclaimer:
Insurance products are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436 (Hollard) and/or PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) (from 8th May 2023 only), administered by PetSure and promoted and distributed through their authorised representatives and distribution partners. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Cover is subject to the policy terms and conditions. You should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to decide if a product is right for you. PDS and Target Market Determination are available from the relevant partner’s website.
