Budget Direct Pet Insurance

Have been a customer of Budget Direct house and car insurance for over 10 years. Got pet insurance a couple of years ago for two pets and to date had never made a claim. The first claim we just did was knocked back stating that it was routine care. Apparently we had to have a different level of cover for this so I rang to arrange it. They say… Read more

you cant change your insurance until the renewal. Then the woman puts me through to some dude and they must think I'm on hold as they're having a good old moan about this guy they have on the phone wanting his insurance fixed.

I told them I could hear them and I didn't want their help anymore. Cancelled.

To be clear, never had problems with the other insurance streams, just this one.

If I could give a lower rating I would. They take excess for everything that is discovered even if you are not looking to treat that ailment found through imaging as it isn’t of concern. They use every possible loophole to avoid paying out any claims Worst pet insurance. Never had any issues with Pet insurance Australia Show details

Worst pet insurance in the market. Every single claim is denied no matter what. They always find a excuse to deny or make the process very difficult so you give up. Do not waste your money! Show details

Re assessment of Budget Direct – Super fast settlement outcome from my claim Our Groodle swallowed something he shouldn’t have blocking his bowel. VRH Dandenong did the surgery and removed the problem item $8500 invoice and budget direct were so quick to settle ( 24hrs ) 80 percent payment in bank acc next day. Show details

There when your paw baby needs it most – Cannot speak highly enough of their claims team, our dog needed major back surgery and luckily we had coverage with our Budget Direct Pet insurance. Highly professional and dedicated claims team who were empathetic and genuinely cared. Claim's paid out quickly and were easy to lodge. No wait times either when I have had to phone them. Thank you to everyone from the Pet team who has helped us along the way, Minnie is recovering well at home :) Show details

Easy and exactly what it said it would be – My dog Winston ended up in and out of hospital for ingesting a bone. There was three different claims made in total and I was only charged the excess once. I also got back 80 percent of everything and there was no arguments needed to get this. They also sent me updates of the progression of the claim whilst it was happening. It is the first time… Read more

I've had pet insurance and I was up and down about if I should keep it or not but I definitely will now for both my dogs.

After being their customer for a year had to follow up 3 times to received the payment for my claim and hearing they saying they are busy as an excuse didn’t receive the payment unless I had to send emails and call them think twice before signing up to them Show details

Competitive price but refuse to pay out on any claims. Keep linking to pre-existing condition even though vet stated it wasn’t linked and refuse to pay. Dont waste your money. Show details

I should’ve read the reviews first as stated by everybody. The claim time is ridiculous. Then they want a disclosure of full medical history even though my dog had nothing wrong and just vaccinations. I am now cancelling it and going to another insurance company. Show details

I've had nothing but a great experience with Budget pet insurance. They always accept my claims without issue, and when my dog passed away, they were very responsive, and cancelled my policy from the date of my dogs passing, whilst sharing their condolences alongside my claims. Thought I should share a positive experience!! Show details ·  1

I stronglly not recomanded this insurance.it's really pathetic service for pet insurance.what they promise me when u claim on they not fulfilled their promise.firstly,lodge a claim process timeframe is more than 3 weeks and then they tell us whatever expense you did it just miscellanious so we not reimburse ur expense. Show details

STAY FAR FAR FAR AWAY FROM THIS PET INSURANCE PROVIDER! This is the worst pet insurer I have ever come across. I have submitted a straight forward claim on the 25/09/25 and still haven’t received the money from this so called insurer. Today is the 09/11/25!! 6,5 weeks later and still NOTHING! No communication, no response to my enquiry as to why… Read more

this is taking so long. Incompetence and disinterest in customer care! With other companies the money was in my account within a few days. They don’t even allow for the vet practice to put the claim in directly, so you have to put the claim in yourself and then WAIT WAIT WAIT! I will be changing to another pet insurer once the claim is finalised(if these incompetent people ever do get it done). Do yourself a favour and find a pet insurance that actually looks after their customers and has competent staff.

My dog got a skin infection, both bacterial and fungal after staying for a few weeks in a boarding place. My vet first thought it was an allergic reaction to plants; this had happened before. Based on this Budget Direct declined my claim that I made after visiting a vet dermatologist stating that my dog had the condition before I insured the dog. I immediately cancelled my policy because this is just a money grabbing insurance. Please avoid. Show details

made me fill out all details . told me they had $12000 limit and they covered snake bite. Once I had signed up they sent Product Description saying $1000 limit on snake bite. Useless since any treatment will be more than $4000. Fraudulent and makes me unwilling to use their car insurance Show details

Lacking communication points on so many levels, takes weeks to find out the outcome of a claim which you are out of pocket for in the mean time. They also have so many loop holes so you can't even successfully claim anything anyway it just gets rejected. They also do not support Gap Only like other insurances do. It's 'budget' for a reason. Leaves… Read more

me feeling uncomfortable thinking about if I ever needed to claim for a serious issue, I have no faith I would be successful. I will be cancelling all policies with Budget Direct.

DO NOT GET THIS PRODUCT One of the worst company's I have had to deal with. we signed up one year ago and the monthly fee comes out on time every time. So, we try and make a claim, well what a mistake that was, it is very clear they would never pay the claim, and it was only a blood test, so after a few months of trying we cut our losses and canceled our polices. I do not recommend this company Show details

Terrible, please choose another insurance. I've had a lot of issues with them only for claiming one ear infection with them. We have been waiting for so long that I really dont care about the money anymore. They are awful Show details

The worst by far, claims take months to be processed if your lucky to get an outcome. Budget request ridiculous amounts of information for your first claim only despite there being no way issues could be pre existing. Honestly would recommend trying woolworths insurance or somewhere else who actually help and pay out claims quickly. There is a… Read more

reason vets dont accept budget insurance as claimable upfront so please make sure you dont get ripped off like we did.

The worst of all time as pet insurance goes have had the policy for over a year dog tore his acl due to an accident and such a struggle to get money out of these people. Have already changed insurance companies and will never be back… Show details

Have had a policy with these guys for a number of years. Have to say that the service has gone down as the price of premiums has gone up. We pay about $87 per month. Most recently dog had a tooth pulled unexpectedly owing to an infection. You would have thought relatively minor and easy, right? Wrong. They have now requested my dog’s entire… Read more

medical history. Appalling conduct. Likely to get out of paying out on the claim, I assume. This is exceedingly disappointing. This has made the process rather laborious, less than simple, and in addition to my dog being sick, very stressful. We will now move him to a different provider. Would not recommend. Avoid.

They didn’t accept the claim for my puppy’s ears infection which happens to any pet at any time. they excused as pre-existing condition which is not true he had one time ear infarction before and treated by Vet. That was another type of infection, did not pay anything. That was really clear an excuse to avoid paying. Show details

Definitely not what they claim – Absolutely disgusting to deal with. Had to follow up the claim and forward information to them myself. Then wouldn't pay the benefit as stating that the illness was covered as was preventable if desexed! Too young to desex! Then sent a screenshot off all illnesses that weren't covered if not desexed. Please don't fall for this pet insurance. Show details

Budget Pet Insurance - A Complete Waste of Money – If I could give zero stars, I would. Budget Pet Insurance is nothing but a scam—they take your money every month and then find every possible excuse to deny your claims. They market themselves as an “affordable” option, but the reality is you’re just throwing money away for a policy that covers absolutely nothing. I submitted multiple claims for… Read more

legitimate, vet-recommended treatments, only to receive rejection after rejection. Every time, they came up with some ridiculous excuse, either claiming it was a “pre-existing condition” (even when my vet confirmed it wasn’t) or simply stating the treatment “isn’t covered under their policy”—which, by the way, is full of hidden loopholes and vague wording designed to protect them, not your pet.

Their customer service is just as bad. Long wait times, unhelpful representatives who repeat the same scripted responses, and zero accountability. They are only interested in collecting premiums, not actually providing coverage.

If you care about your pet’s health, do yourself a favor and avoid Budget Pet Insurance at all costs. You’ll end up paying out of pocket anyway when they refuse to honor your claims. Absolute rip-off.

Terrible claims process – Have had the policy for approx 6 months. Put in first claim on the 2nd Jan 2025. They requested further clinical information from Vet and previous Vet. I have confirmed with both Vets that information have been emailed. Budget direct deny they have the information, claim is still just sitting under submitted despite phoning and emailing budget… Read more

direct.

I am updating my review and changing the star rating from 1-3. After posting this I was contacted by a customer service representative who quickly followed up my concerns. I received an email stating my claim would be processed within 5 business days. Within 3 business days I was notified by email that my claim had been accepted.

You won’t be covered for general check ups – Good morning, From 24th to 26/11/2024 my toy poodle Bella went in for general check up to the Green Cross Vet Kippa Ring and ER North Lakes veterinary due to vomiting and loss of strength in the legs, the vet confirmed onsite that she just may not be feeling well or eaten something that doesn’t fit her diet, It took us to the 28/11/2024 for the… Read more

VET to understand that my dog requires a further check up, that they found a tick in the ear which I have paid around $5000 out of pocket fees and having fool confidence that budget direct pet insurance could at least cover something for my poor dog who she really required there help or could have died,

Today I can confirm via Budget direct email they could careless of your animals well being they won’t even cover the pre general check up they have emailed me today at 8:34am confirming all my invoices are all related to Tick paralysis and you won’t be receiving any cover from us

I’ll be sharing my post for new meme era to know not to join, the the money and join RSPCA pet insurance there expensive but they really care for your pets

Kind regards James

Claims process is ridiculous – Made a claim on 24/12/24, still no sign of being processed. Other pet insurances do instant claims, definitely changing companies. Show details

Horrible when it matters – Actually terrible. They need to assess every VET claim including consults and tests and so far we’ve had no resolution in nearly a month! Honestly, don’t waste your money. Show details

Do not recommend Budget Direct Pet Insurance – Definitely would not recommend Budget Direct Pet Insurance. A pure waste of money and not a policy that offers good value for money. Budget Direct Pet Insurance is very good at rejecting claims even when the claim is in compliance with ' not ' falling into the category of 'pre-existing conditions. Show details

Horrible experience with Pet Insurance – Do not waste your money and insure your pet insurance with budget direct. They will find someway not to pay you, absolute rogues. I had a combined bill of $1500. Received $28 back as they came with feeable excuses and mind you my dog issues were not existing but new issues. I have also cancelled my home and contents insurance a few days ago because it had gone up well over $100. Shop around people!!! Show details

Terrible mistake moving to Budget direct Pet insurance – Was advised by the sales team that an infection that my dog had a year ago which had been treated would be convered and was told pre existing condition is something that has not been cured yet. Turns out every condition that he previously had is a pre existing condition. My claim for an ear infection that he had 4 years ago was rejected based on… Read more

the fact that its a pre existing condition. I wouldn't have moved from my current insurer had I known this. Obviously, I got conned into switching from my insurer to budget direct.