RACQ Pet Insurance
Verified83 reviews
- <1 day
- ·
- <1 week
- ·
- 1-2 weeks
- ·
- 3-4 weeks
- ·
- 1-2 months
- ·
- 3+ months
I called the only contact number on their website because I had a query to do with my pet insurance. The first person transferred me to the Pet Insurance department. The second person said I need the Insurance Claim department. Then transferred me to the Property Insurance Department. The third person said he needs to transfer me back to the Pet… Read more
Insurance. Then ended up hanging up on me.
Call back the second time and was again transferred to the property department. Still couldn’t get hold of the correct department after 40 mins. I still haven’t got my query answered so couldn’t lodge my claim.
Really poor experience after 8 years of insurance with this company. The premium for a 9yo Westie increased 33% ($1200 > $1600) year on year, but the main problem was that renewal documents were never sent and then the premium was just auto debited with zero notification. Craziness. Cancelled immediately and moved to RSPCA for $600 less per annum. Show details
Submitted my claim before Christmas. I get that it was the holiday season, but it’s now well past that. I sent in everything they asked for. Honestly felt like my pet’s whole life story. The vet clinics replied ages ago, so there’s nothing pending from my side. Still no update. No response. Nothing. Now I’m stuck paying my credit card bill… Read more
while waiting for them to do their job. Delays are one thing, but zero communication is just frustrating.
Not a great experience at all.
Reviews with attachments
I am a loyal member of RACQ, being a Gold member of over 30 years. I have all of my insurance as well as roadside assistance through RACQ. I took out RACQ Pet Insurance when my 2 dogs were puppies. Initially, it cost less than $60 per month to insure both dogs. At the end of 2024, I was paying $155 per month, then came the big 25% increase to $206… Read more
in 2025. At the end of 2025, I was sent the renewal notice, and to my surprise, the premiums were now $311 per month - and increase of just over 50%. Yes, my dogs turned 10 in 2025, so I get that they might be more in need of veterinary care. But 50% on top of the previous year’s 25%. So I phoned RACQ. The phone person was nice - just doing her job. She confirmed there was no mistake. She checked to see if I could get a cheaper premium. She advised that if I increased my excess from $100 to $200 then the premium would be $236 per month. I tried to find out if I could expect similar increases in the future, but she could not give me an answer about this. Since I took out the policy, I have paid over $10000 in premiums. I have received just over $500 in claims. I am really angry about this. Loyalty and doing the right thing for your pets is not enough. I am at a point where it would be counterproductive to cancel the policy - I would basically have p*ssed over $10000 up against a wall, and my dogs could need expensive vet care tomorrow. Imagine if private health companies did this to old people. It’s wrong. You would be better off putting money aside in a separate “dog health insurance” account than pay it to these unscrupulous insurers.
Latest follow-ups
Insurance for dogs basically doubles when they turn 6; I believe this is standard practice amongst insurance companies that provide cover for pets. My dog's insurance was $2002 for her last policy, and it can't be paid monthly because she's… Read more
getting "older" and may befall severe health issues or drop dead before the next policy period.
One would think that is all the more reason for pet owners to be allowed to pay their policy monthly... just in case!
Every health issue is put in its own category; my dog has two categories of health issues.
Each health issue incurs a $200.00 excess.
That means that I have to pay $400.00 per year in excess, over and above the cost of the policy.
I also have a Tender Loving Care package that entitles me to $100.00 of preventative healthcare paid out at 100% of the cost of the treatment.
However, it seems that there are many preventative healthcare services and items that are NOT included in this package.
This means that I an extra $500.00 a year for things that insurance SHOULD cover but doesn't; I can't even afford health insurance for myself or my human family!
My dog is almost 8, now, and we've been insured by RACQ all that time, but I think I'll be taking my business elsewhere come time to renew our policy... at least the RSPCA will let you pay the policy by direct debit every month.
Or maybe I'll forego insurance for my beloved Dobermann and suck up the entire expenses without all the arguing to get value for money.
Follow-up · For those people who want to know more about RACQ's pet insurance policies, and what is covered and what is excluded, I suggest that you either go to their website or ring them with your own specific questions. I can tell you that natural treatments, such as 4-Cyte and other joint preparations, are not covered, nor are orthopaedic braces.… Read more
Positive reviews
I have had very positive experiences with RAC pet insurance- RACQ. Recently my dog had a bad eye injury and had to see a veterinary eye specialist- emergency surgery to repair her eye and subsequent treatment. The claims process was incredibly easy and we were reimbursed very promptly. Couldn’t fault them. After umming and ahing about whether we… Read more
really needed it. I’m SO glad we had it. Our dog had been insured from 12 weeks old. And she’s five now. Would definitely recommend them.
Happy with RSPCA – Very happy with RSPCA Pet Insurance. They have been prompt & reimbursed nearly all claims we have made under our Economy Cover. Gives us the ability to ensure our pets can receive optimum vet care. Highly recommend. Show details · 1
Very Happy with RACQ Pet Insurance – I have summitted a few receipts for both my dogs and been well informed all the way with the payments etc. I have received a very fair payment from RACQ to cover these bills. Show details
Negative reviews
Would advise anyone looking for insurance for their beloved family member to look ANYWHERE ELSE than RACQ. They are the most unethical company I have ever experienced. The time it takes for claims to be looked at and finalised post vet visit is absurd. Currently in an administrative nightmare situation after their vet advisor had read/perceived… Read more
our dogs clinical notes incorrectly. Have taken further measures and cancelled policies. Worst experience ever
Absolutely the worst pet insurance I have ever had. Make you pay excess more than once on the same condition, take ridiculous amounts of time to finalise claims (had one that took over a month) and don’t even provide a breakdown of their payments to you…. Seems very disingenuous. They love keeping your money to themselves! If I could change… Read more
provider I would but my dog is older with pre existing conditions. My other pets are with different insurer and it’s worlds apart.
Rac rip off – Policy up by 40% this year, no claims last year. Same applied to our car and house insurance plus excess went up massively. Keep well away from this company. Show details
Recent reviews
a 70% price rise - outrageous! – So after being insured for 2 years, and currently paying $75 a month for my dog, I just got my renewal.... for $124 a month. That is obscene!!! A nearly 70% price rise. That's the last the RAC will see of me. Show details
Find out how RACQ Pet Insurance compares to other Pet Insurance
Know better, choose better.
Pet insurer who actually cares about your pet – I have had different pet insurers for my extra large dog. While other insurers find all sort of excuses to refuse my claims, RACQ actually found one case when I forgot to submit a visit and asked me to resubmit. The online claim was fast and easy, and I usually have a response within a week. So far they have not rejected my claims. Highly recommended, one of the best insurers I have dealt with. Show details
RIP OFF - 2023 - Appalling 25% renewal increase with no claims and low risk breed – Happily RIP OFF long-standing clients!! I have kelpie x 7.5yo with no pre-existing conditions - RAC have increasingly disappointed across the board with insurance premiums skyrocketing unjustifiably over the past few years but this year they’ve outdone themselves. Don’t bother trying to get a honest answer out of them about why either .. I’ll… Read more
save you the 1HR wait time - apparently it’s all about the algorithms and no human at RAC has a clue what that actually means or can provide any advice (aka customer service) outside of that. A job for AI in future perhaps? Save your time and money and look elsewhere!
Held To Ransom – I have had pet insurance with RACQ for 3 years. I have made only 1 claim ever which was in September 2023. And on it they only paid out $175. So over the years I have paid nearly $3000 for insurance. Immediately after that 1st claim my policy renewal became due and was hit with a 30% increase in premiums. Can’t change because of the age of my dog.… Read more
Completely held to ransom otherwise I would change insurers just as I did with 2 cars I had with Racq and they hiked premiums when even no claims had been made.
RACQ and Ruby Tuesday – I have found this policy to be of great value. I took it out when I got my pup, Ruby Tuesday, at 6 weeks of age, so I have had it for 10 years. During this time, she has been attacked, while on the lead, by large dogs, off the lead, 3 times, and as she is a small dog, she came off second best each time. RSPCA Pet Insurance has resolved each claim very quickly, and I was surprised at how well covered I was. Thank you for your amazing help, RACQ. Show details
Impressive service – After 7 years we had our first claim on Maxwell’s pet insurance. We were sceptical give the reviews but in only a few days all was sorted and the claim paid. Great service. Highly impressed Show details
New member for pet insurance – Quick and easy sign up. I have house and car insurance with RAC plus road assistance and the service I have received on those policies has been excellent. So when the time came to insure my recently adopted dog I had no hesitation in choosing RAC Show details
Charged excess twice for procedures conducted at the same time – Charged twice for excess for separate procedures on our claim despite the procedures being conducted at the same time and listed in the same invoice for claim. Immediately cancelled our policy because of this ridiculous stipulation. Show details
Absolute Waste of Money – We got our dog insured at 12 weeks old and she is now over 3 years. We tried lodging our first claim (related to her ear infection) and were rejected and told that her list of exclusions/'prior conditions' include her heart, her urinary incontinence, her gastrointestinal tract and her ears. She was never prescribed anything for her ears until she… Read more
was several months older, but they will claim there was 'early signs' of any condition you attempt to make a claim in relation to. Our dog developed urinary incontinence from getting desexed (the vet even told us this was why and symptoms only occurred after this surgery), so how could they possibly have seen 'early signs' of this condition several months before she got desexed? You're better off going elsewhere or putting money aside for your dog in your own bank account.
Negatively impacts my perception of RAC overall – The vet can't claim for you like other major insurers, so it's quite inconvenient. The online claim form almost never works, so you end up having to sit on hold answering repetitive questions every time you need to claim. RACQ's customer service is far worse than RAC WA. RAC doesn't tell you clearly that it's with RACQ, so I feel misled. I changed… Read more
over from Guide Dogs as my experience with RAC for car insurance was good and I thought it might be convenient. It was a total mistake. The annual price hikes are very significant. I just adopted a second dog and they'll definitely not be with RAC. Considering changing my car insurance too.
Find out how RACQ Pet Insurance compares to other Pet Insurance
Know better, choose better.
I Never acpected that from RAC! Christmas Emergency cost $3,450 resulted in a payout of $322.92 No value for money!! – Unbelievable, we have all our insurancees with RAC for 15 years. Therefore, when we decided to get a Basset Hound puppy; it was clear that we get thr RAC pet insurance. Of course, we wanted the best so we signed up for the highest cover.... Now, over Christmas our puppy Pebbles got really sick. She had diaria and was womating all the time. She… Read more
was not even drinking water which made her really week. We had to take her to the vet emergency. She was just 11 month old and had always received her prevention medication against worms and other nasties. However, she nearly past away from dehydration and as it turned out she tested positiv vor GIARDIA which was thankfully treated with antibiotics . The biggest cost was the 24 hour stay at the vet emergency. $3,450 later I lodged the claim with our RAC pet insurance. Pebbles had no prior issues at all. Therefore, I thought we will get 80% of the costs reimbursed. FORGET IT- APPERANTLY IT IS EXCLUDED! I ask the doctor what we could have done to prevent it and she said:" Nothing, there is no prevention!" As a result we received a payout of $322.92. I don't know but in my books $ 322.92 out of $3,450; that is not 80% of the cost. RAC pet insurance: "We don't need you! You lost a long term client forever; especially as we thought we are actually supporting Western Australia. But it turns out that the decision about our money are made by the underwriter RACQ in Queensland. So much for wrong advertising....wasn't there a nice RAC slogan like if you have your insurance with RAC you will deal with support teams here in Perth and the money will stay in WA....????
Very happy – Wow after a wobbly start and an unhappy outcome. Follow up by a very friendly guest services agent with the outcome being one happy client. Thank you RACQ. Kerrie Boodle Show details
Disappointed – Claims process took longer than expected - waited 20+ days to hear about an outcome. Paid over $1000 to treat a bad ear infection for our pup (needed sedation). Claim was rejected because he had skin allergies 6 months prior and they have assumed ear infection is linked when there is no actual evidence to suggest this - vet didn't notice or mention any allergies at all when treating the ear infection. Show details
Terrible reward for loyalty, 40% increase in premium – Hi all, we took out RACQ Pet Insurance in late 2020, and had an uneventful 12 months, with no drawdowns on the policy. When it came time for renewal RACQ sent us a renewal for $200 more than our original price, a 40% increase. We looked on their website and got a quote for a new policy, rather than renewal, and it worked out even cheaper than our… Read more
policy of a year ago. The fact is RACQ rewards your loyalty by massive premium increases, and new customers are more valuable to them. Enjoy.
Lacks basic payment options – Pretty disappointing that you are penalised for being a monthly client and excluded from being able to pay via Bpay. It's such a simple service that a supposedly big company like this is unable to provide. If you're like me and want to pay via BPay each pay week to ensure you have no outstanding bills at the end of the month don't use RACQ. … Read more
According to the RACQ representative I just spoke with it's too difficult for RACQ to track monthly clients accounts if they pay via Bpay - how embarrassing for you RACQ. At least they are open and honest about their short comings.
Poor customer relations – Took our dog in for a stomach complaint(she had underlying tooth issue and ear issues)which were been managed. Examination and blood test...$400 later.Tried to claim the vet examination and blood test. No renumeration, they related the stomach illness to the tooth decay ....after anti biotics she is fine .Teeth are not affecting her in any way. Go with another insurer. Show details
Gotta be the slowest responder on the planet – Policy entrapped me. Poor value because the hiked the premiums up on renewal. I lodged a claim with them and I was forced to enter into a complaint. Rubbish Service Show details
Consistently slow claim service – The actual insurance product seems as good as you will get anywhere however EVERY time I make a claim, even just ongoing medication top ups, we are required to telephone RACQ. EVERY time I am on hold and don't actually speak to a human for minimum 15-20minutes. Why isn't there an online claim service?!! The most basic claim takes around half an… Read more
hour out of my day but the actual talk time is only about 5 minutes - understaffed?! Just get the online claim service going RAC!!
Best Pet Insurance – RACQ Pet Insurance is great value. Multiple clams made for same incident. All claims resolved and paid within 10 days. Previous claims for other incidents have all been paid without question.Have been with RACQ for five years. Show details
Slow, unrealiable and no transparency – They will do whatever it takes for you not able to make a claim successfully. Very slow with processing and requires few follow ups for 3 weeks still with poor results. I cancelled my pet insurance immediately. Show details
Two claims paid without an issue – Two claims submitted for one of my Golden Retrievers. Both claims paid as per the policy. Fast settlement. Great communication. Highly recommend considering RACQ when insuring your pet. Happy to say my dog is now fit and well!!! Show details
Extra Information
ProductReview.com.au has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ProductReview.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links.