Bow Wow Meow vs RSPCA Pet Insurance 2026
By Dogthings Editorial · Updated 2026-05-13
Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we'd use with our own dogs.
Both are long-running, household-name AU insurers — but underwritten by different companies with very different PDS treatments. Bow Wow Meow is underwritten by Hollard. RSPCA Pet Insurance is underwritten by PetSure (same as Knose, Woolworths Pet, Medibank Pet). The choice comes down to one big difference and a brand preference.
Quick verdict
- Pick Bow Wow Meow if your dog has a mild pre-existing condition, is brachycephalic, or is older — Hollard's PDS is more flexible.
- Pick RSPCA if you want your premium to support rescue work, and you accept identical-to-Knose PetSure terms.
Side-by-side
| Feature | Bow Wow Meow | RSPCA Pet Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Underwriter | Hollard | PetSure |
| Starting premium (small breed) | From ~$52/mo | From ~$50/mo |
| Reimbursement | Up to 80% | Up to 80% |
| Excess options | $0 / $100 / $200 | $100 / $200 |
| Annual benefit cap | $20,000 | $20,000 |
| Pre-existing (mild) review window | 18 months symptom-free | Not reviewable |
| Vet helpline | 24/7 included | Not included |
| Multi-pet discount | 5–10% | 5% |
| Donation built into premium | No | Yes — portion goes to RSPCA |
| Premium ramp after age 9 | Steep | Steeper |
| Typical claim turnaround | 5–10 business days | 4–7 business days |
Where Bow Wow Meow wins
The pre-existing review window is the killer feature. If you took on a rescue with a known mild skin condition, or your puppy had one ear infection before the policy started, Bow Wow Meow may cover that condition after 18 months symptom-free. RSPCA (and every other PetSure-backed brand) treats pre-existing as a permanent exclusion.
Brachycephalic loading is also lower at Bow Wow Meow — meaningfully better long-term cost for Frenchies, Pugs, English Bulldogs, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
The 24/7 vet helpline is bundled at no extra cost. It sounds gimmicky but if you've had a midnight "is this an emergency?" moment, it pays for itself.
Where RSPCA wins
RSPCA Pet Insurance directs a portion of every premium to RSPCA Australia's rescue and animal welfare work. If brand alignment matters to you, that's a real reason to pick it.
The PetSure claims platform also tends to be slightly faster than Hollard's, and the same system that runs your claim runs Knose, Woolworths Pet, and Medibank Pet — meaning if you ever switch within that family (or your vet partners with one of them) the operational experience is consistent.
What's identical between them
Both have 80% reimbursement, $20k annual cap, and 6-month cruciate waiting periods. The PDS exclusion lists are also broadly similar — dental disease cover is limited on both unless you buy the optional add-on, and behavioural conditions are excluded.
The call
For an older dog, brachycephalic breed, or any dog with prior mild illness, Bow Wow Meow's PDS flexibility makes it the better choice.
For owners who want their premium to do double duty supporting rescue work, and where the dog is young and healthy, RSPCA is a solid call.