Assistance Dog Insurance
Whether you maintain a dedicated savings account or have pet insurance, every dog owner should consider having a financial plan to cover unexpected veterinary expenses and potential damage or liability involving their dog.
For an assistance dog team, this becomes particularly important because your dog may regularly accompany you into public places and environments where an incident could potentially result in injury, property damage or other costs.
In-Training and Working Assistance Dogs
Whether your dog is in training or working as an assistance animal, PFA strongly recommends that handlers consider appropriate third party liability insurance.
Under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), being recognised as an assistance animal does not remove the handler's responsibility for damage caused by the animal. The DDA specifically preserves liability for damage to property caused by an assistance animal.
Insurance policies vary considerably, so it is important to check exactly what your policy covers. In particular, ask whether it covers an assistance dog while working in public places, including any activities associated with training and public access.
A GHAD accreditation or Public Access Test is not a substitute for insurance and does not automatically mean that a particular insurance policy will provide cover. Some insurers may offer different terms or premiums depending on whether a dog is recognised or accredited as an assistance animal, so it is worth checking directly with your chosen insurer.
PFA recommends that handlers undertake their own research and obtain insurance advice appropriate to their individual circumstances.
Remember: assistance dog status provides important rights and responsibilities, but it does not make a handler immune from liability if their dog causes injury or damage.
Third Party Liability Insurance
Some Australian pet insurers offer third party liability cover for dogs. At the time of writing (September 2026), providers offering this type of cover include:
Blue Badge Insurance – offers dedicated Assistance Dog Insurance with third party liability included.
Petcover Australia – offers third party liability cover with selected dog insurance policies, either included or as an optional extra depending on the policy.
Insurance products, eligibility, exclusions and levels of cover can change, so handlers should read the current Product Disclosure Statement and confirm directly with the insurer that their particular assistance dog, including a dog that is still in training, is covered while working or training in public.
PFA does not recommend or endorse any particular insurance provider. This information is provided as a starting point to assist handlers in doing their own research.
