Knose vs Bow Wow Meow — which AU pet insurer wins in 2026?
By Dogthings Editorial · Updated 2026-04-23
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Knose and Bow Wow Meow are two of the most-compared pet insurers in Australia — and for good reason. Both offer strong comprehensive cover, but they target slightly different dogs. Here's who wins, and why.
Quick verdict
- Pick Knose if your dog is under 8, you want flexible excess, and you value claim speed.
- Pick Bow Wow Meow if you have a brachycephalic breed, an older dog, or a mild pre-existing condition.
Side-by-side
| Feature | Knose | Bow Wow Meow |
|---|---|---|
| Underwriter | PetSure | Hollard |
| Starting premium (small breed) | From ~$48/mo | From ~$52/mo |
| Reimbursement | Up to 80% | Up to 80% |
| Excess options | $0 / $100 / $200 / $500 | $0 / $100 / $200 |
| Annual benefit cap | $25,000 | $20,000 |
| Routine care add-on | Yes, optional | Yes, optional |
| Waiting period — illness | 21 days | 30 days |
| Waiting period — cruciate | 6 months | 6 months |
| Pre-existing reviewable? | No | Some after 18-month symptom-free window |
| Brachycephalic premium loading | High | Moderate |
| Typical claim turnaround | 4–7 business days | 5–10 business days |
| Vet helpline | No | 24/7 included |
Where Knose wins
Knose's $500 excess tier lets you cut the premium meaningfully — useful for younger, healthier dogs where you'd rather self-insure small claims and keep cover for the big ones. Claims are consistently faster, and the three-shot puppy discount at enrolment is better than Bow Wow Meow's equivalent.
The PetSure claims platform (shared with RSPCA, Medibank, and Woolworths Pet Insurance) is genuinely streamlined — most straightforward claims are paid in under a week.
Where Bow Wow Meow wins
Bow Wow Meow is one of the only AU insurers that will sometimes cover certain mild pre-existing conditions after an 18-month symptom-free window. For Frenchies, Pugs, Cavoodles, and any breed prone to skin or ear issues diagnosed before cover starts, this can be the difference between paying vet bills out of pocket for life versus getting partial cover later.
The brachycephalic premium loading (for flat-faced breeds) is also lower than Knose's — so if you have a Bulldog, Frenchie, Pug, Cavalier, or similar, the monthly cost over a 10-year policy life is often lower with Bow Wow Meow even though the headline starting premium is higher.
Cost over 10 years — a realistic comparison
For a healthy 1-year-old Labrador insured for life, total premium paid over 10 years tends to be roughly comparable ($8,000–$12,000 depending on claims history), because premiums step up with age regardless of insurer. The real difference shows up in:
- First-year cost — Knose usually cheaper
- Year 8+ cost — Bow Wow Meow usually cheaper as PetSure policies ramp hard after age 9
- Claim ergonomics — Knose slightly faster, Bow Wow Meow more forgiving on exclusions
The call
For most Australian dogs under 8, Knose is our recommendation — flexible excess, faster claims, and the best-balanced policy we've compared. Quote time is under 2 minutes.
For brachycephalic breeds or older dogs with mild pre-existing conditions, Bow Wow Meow is the better pick.
See also
- Best pet insurance Australia 2026 — our full 5-insurer ranking
- Cheapest pet insurance Australia — if price is the priority
- Pet insurance for puppies — why timing matters