Gap only pet insurance

Gap only pet insurance lets you claim on the spot and is available with a handful of insurers in Australia.

Key takeaways

  • Gap only pet insurance processes your claim at the vet.
  • It is intended to ease the strain on your bank account if your pet needs treatment.
  • Insurers including RSCPA, Everyday and Pet Insurance Australia all offer gap only cover.

What is gap only pet insurance?

Gap only pet insurance is designed to make claiming more convenient. Rather than paying the full vet bill, submitting your claim and waiting to be reimbursed, gap only cover calculates your pet insurance claim on the spot while you're still at the vet. All you need to do is pay the gap – that is, the difference between the vet bill and how much your pet insurance covers.

Savings
Kinder on the wallet
For example, if you have to pay $1,000 for your pet's surgery and your policy covers 80% of vet bills. With a gap only policy, you'll only need to pay $200, rather than wait on the insurer to reimburse you for $800.

How does gap only work?

Gap only pet insurance removes a couple of steps from the claims process you would ordinarily have to go through if you had a standard pet insurance policy. Here's how it works:

Pet insurance

Get a pet insurance policy

You'll need to take out a pet insurance policy that includes GapOnly cover. Say you have to pay $1,000 for your pet's surgery and your policy covers 80% of vet bills.

Vet hospital

Visit a GapOnly vet

If your pet needs to go to the vet, you'll need to take them to a GapOnly vet. The GapOnly website lets you search your location for a nearby one.

Gap payment

Pay the gap

This is where things differ to a standard policy. Once your pet has received treatment, you only need to pay the gap. You don't need to pay the full bill and wait to be reimbursed.

What does it cover?

Gap only pet insurance covers the same things as any other pet insurance policy. The difference is the claims process. In that sense, it works more like many extras health insurance policies where you generally only need to pay for upfront treatment costs. The insurer and the vet take care of the rest.

Who offers gap only pet insurance?

Here's a list of pet insurers currently offering gap only cover:

Compare pet insurance policies in Australia

Product Finder Score Accidental Injury Illness Paralysis Tick Yearly Sub-Limit Maximum yearly benefit Reimbursement rate Reimbursement Rate
Finder Score
tick
tick
$3,000
$25,000
80%
80%
Apply online and get 15% off your first year's premium. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Finder Score
tick
tick
No sub-limit
$30,000
90%
90%
Get two months free. Sign up to Medibank Pet Insurance using promo code 2FREE and get two month's premium free. Offer ends 3 September 2025. T&Cs apply
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Finder Score
tick
tick
$25,000
$25,000
90%
90%
⭐Finder Exclusive: Get 10% off your first year. Sign up using promo code FINDER10. T&C's apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance  logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
No sub-limit
$30,000
70%, 80% or 90%
70%, 80% or 90%
Get your first 2 months free by using the promo code: 2MFREE. T&Cs apply. Enjoy GapOnly claiming and complimentary use of myPetPass with 24/7 access to Live Vet Care. Also, policyholders are entitled to a free ID tag.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Fetch Pet  logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$30,000
$30,000
80% or 90% or 100%
80% or 90% or 100%
Get dental, physio and behaviour cover included and skip wait periods by following our in-app journey.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Pet Insurance Australia logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$3,000
$30,145
80%
80%
Covers specified accidents and illnesses, with Routine Care Cover included. Get 3 months free when you sign up using the code PIA303. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
PD Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Not yet rated
Finder Score
Not yet rated
tick
tick
$15,000
$20,000
100%
100%
Apply online and get your first 1 month free. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Vets Choice Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$2,500
$15,000
80%
80%
Get a 5% discount when you insure more than one pet.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Guardian Pet Insurance  logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$1,200
$12,000
80%
80%
Lifetime cover for cats and dogs, up to 80% covered.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Real Pet Insurance  logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$1,200
$12,000
80%
80%
Claim up to a maximum of $12k per year, with no excess to pay.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
PetsOnMe Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Not yet rated
Finder Score
Not yet rated
tick
tick
$20,000
$20,000
80%
80%
Get 2 months free (for pets under 1 year old) or 1 month free (for pets over 1 year old) with promo code FINDER2MF. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Real Pet Insurance  logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$1,000
$12,000
75%
75%
Covers specific accidents and illnesses for your pet. Get 10% of premiums back in the first 12 months.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Pet Insurance Australia logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$1,000
$30,000
80%
80%
Covers your vet bills for specified accidents and illnesses, including cruciate ligament and cancer treatment. Get 3 months free when you sign up using the code PIA303. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Guardian Pet Insurance  logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$2,000
$12,000
60%
60%
No joining fee to pay.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Medibank Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
No sub-limit
$25,000
80%
80%
Get two months free. Sign up to Medibank Pet Insurance using promo code 2FREE and get two month's premium free. Offer ends 3 September 2025. T&Cs apply
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Guide Dogs Pet Insurance  logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$2,000
$15,000
80%
80%
Get 1 month free pet insurance when you sign up for cover with Guide Dogs. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Guide Dogs Pet Insurance  logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$1,500
$15,000
75%
75%
Get 1 month free pet insurance when you sign up for cover with Guide Dogs. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Budget Direct Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$1,000
$12,000
80%
80%
Apply online and get 15% off your first year's premium. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Real Pet Insurance  logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$2,000
$12,000
60%
60%
Basic level of cover for injuries such as falls, car accidents, burns and snake bites. Get 10% of premiums back in the first 12 months.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Australian Seniors Pet Insurance  logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$1,200
$12,000
80%
80%
Benefits include overseas cover when in NZ or Norfolk Island for your pet, plus an optional routine care add-on.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Coles Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$3,500
$40,000
80% or 100%
80% or 100%
Earn 10x Flybuys points per $1 spent on pet food at Coles Supermarkets. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Vets Choice Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$2,500
$12,000
80%
80%
Get a 5% discount when you insure more than one pet.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Australian Seniors Pet Insurance  logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$1,000
$12,000
75%
75%
If you're over 50 get 10% off.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Coles Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$3,500
$10,000
80% or 100%
80% or 100%
Earn 10x Flybuys points per $1 spent on pet food at Coles Supermarkets. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Knose Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$12,500
$12,500
70%
70%
⭐Finder Exclusive: Get 10% off your first year. Sign up using promo code FINDER10. T&C's apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
PD Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Not yet rated
Finder Score
Not yet rated
tick
cross
$5,000
$5,000
100%
100%
Apply online and get your first 1 month free. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Australian Seniors Pet Insurance  logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$2,000
$12,000
60%
60%
If you're over 50 get 10% off.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Medibank Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$4,000
$10,000
70%
70%
Get two months free. Sign up to Medibank Pet Insurance using promo code 2FREE and get two month's premium free. Offer ends 3 September 2025. T&Cs apply
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
PD Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Not yet rated
Finder Score
Not yet rated
tick
tick
$10,000
$10,000
100%
100%
Apply online and get your first 1 month free. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Guardian Pet Insurance  logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$1,000
$12,000
75%
75%
No joining fee to pay.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
PetsOnMe Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Not yet rated
Finder Score
Not yet rated
tick
tick
$10,000
$10,000
80%
80%
Get 2 months free (for pets under 1 year old) or 1 month free (for pets over 1 year old) with promo code FINDER2MF. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Budget Direct Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$1,500
$15,000
80%
80%
Apply online and get 15% off your first year's premium. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
Pet Insurance Australia logo
Finder Score
Finder Score
tick
tick
$1,000
$6,000
90%
90%
Highest reimbursement rate out of PIA's policies. Get 3 months free when you sign up using the code PIA303. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
PetsOnMe Pet Insurance logo
Finder Score
Not yet rated
Finder Score
Not yet rated
tick
cross
$5,000
$5,000
80%
80%
Get 2 months free (for pets under 1 year old) or 1 month free (for pets over 1 year old) with promo code FINDER2MF. T&Cs apply.
Get quote More info
Compare product selection
loading

Finder Score for pet insurance

We designed Finder Score to make comparing pet insurance easier, assessing more than 20 products for their price and features. Finder Score assigns each product a score out of 10.

Read the full Finder Score methodology

Gary Ross Hunter's headshot
Journalist

Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise
Gary Ross has written 590 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
  • Managing the cost of living

Ask a question

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms Of Service and Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

More guides on Finder

Go to site
OSZAR »