What’s the best pet insurance for labradors?

You’ll be hard pressed to find a cuter and more loving puppy than a labrador. While other breeds of dog move up and down in the popularity stakes, labs are a constant on the top ten list. These goofy, happy, easy-to-train dogs make great companions.

If you’ve been lucky enough to have one of these ever-hungry balls of energy join your family recently and are wondering whether it’s worth buying a pet insurance policy to help with the vet bills, read on. 

Labradors aren’t notorious for expensive illnesses like brachycephalic breeds, but they are predisposed to a few conditions and, given their size and energy level, they definitely have the capacity to get into a bit of trouble.

The last thing you want is to have to choose between your bank account and your dog’s health, so it’s essential to consider how you might cover a large vet bill, should it arise. 

On this page:

• What problems can labradors have?
• Do you need pet insurance for a labrador?
• How much does pet insurance for a labrador cost?
• What is the best pet insurance for labradors?

What problems can labradors have?

Ear infections

A lab’s floppy ears can trap wax and moisture, especially after swimming, leading to ear infections. In 2024, ear infections cost an average of $439 to treat, and roughly 16% of labrador owners made a claim for an ear infection.  

Joint issues

Labradors are about 1.6 times more likely to develop lameness and arthritis than dogs overall. Hip and elbow dysplasia – where the hip or elbow joint doesn’t develop properly – are also common inherited conditions in this breed.

These conditions can lead to arthritis and may require surgery. Joint problems are exacerbated by overweight and obesity, to which these dogs are also prone.

Mass lesions

These dogs have a 50% higher risk of developing mass lesions than other breeds, particularly mast cell tumours.

Mass lesions are abnormal growths or lumps on or under the skin. They can be a number of different things from benign warts, cysts or hematomas to malignant tumours, and their treatment (and its cost) will depend on what it is.

The average cost for the treatment of mass lesions was $961 in 2024 with a maximum claim of over $31,000.

Swallowing things they’re not meant to

Everyone knows that labs love to eat. Unfortunately this can include foods that are toxic to dogs like garlic, chocolate or raisins and even things that aren’t food like poisonous plants, socks, toys – you name it. In 2023, the average cost to treat these mishaps ranged from $1000 without surgery, to $5000 when surgery was required. 

Note that some insurers class this as an accident while others insure it as an illness, so read your PDS to make sure you’re covered. 

Do you need pet insurance for a labrador?

While labradors aren’t a breed that racks up the highest vet costs, a wisely chosen pet insurance policy can give you peace of mind and save you money at the vets. 

If you’re buying insurance for an adult dog, it’s important to be across the rules for pre-existing conditions. Many policies restrict cover for illnesses if your dog has suffered from them previously. So if you have a lab that already has hip issues, allergies or recurrent ear infections, make sure you read the fine print.

And if you’re considering insurance for a young healthy dog, it might be wise to sign up before they experience any issues. Read more about how to choose a pet insurance policy in our buying guide.  

Be aware that even if you have pet insurance you will often need to pay upfront for treatment before claiming it back from your insurer. This means that you may need thousands of dollars handy if your pet requires complex treatment.

If this is likely to be difficult for you, check with your vet to see whether they have agreements with any insurers that allow you to claim on the spot so you only have to pay the gap. 

What about self-insurance?

Sometimes self-insurance can work out cheaper in the long run – that’s when you save up or invest what you would otherwise pay in insurance premiums and use this to fund your pet’s treatment.

The beauty of self insurance is that there are zero restrictions on what you can spend these savings on. But this only works out cheaper when your treatment costs are lower than the balance of your savings account.

If you can afford to set aside a decent sum of money each month (probably a little more than standard pet insurance premiums), and you’re reading the PDS and are worried about what you will and won’t be covered for, self-insurance could be for you.

How much does pet insurance for a labrador cost?

On average, premiums for a 3-month-old labrador are $76 per month, and $88 for a 3-year-old. This is about 30% more expensive than insuring a cavoodle on the same policy. 

We analysed 17 different pet insurance policies to find those that provide a good level of cover for labradors. We looked for over $20,000 of cover per annum with at least an 80% benefit. When an insurer offers more than one policy we chose the policy with the closest limit to $20,000.

What is the best pet insurance for labradors?

Below, we reveal the best pet insurance policies for labradors. These policies all include cover for hereditary specific to labradors, orthopedic and joint conditions, as well as some cover for ear infections and swallowing foreign objects, and an annual benefit limit of at least $20,000, but make sure you read the PDS to understand the ins and outs of the cover on offer before purchasing a policy.

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Jane Bardell

Jane Bardell is a Content producer in the Insurance and utilities team. She writes about home, car, pet and health insurance. Previously at CHOICE, she checked facts, figures and statistics as a Verifier with the Editorial and investigations team. Jane has a Bachelor of Science from the University of New South Wales.  Find Jane on LinkedIn.

Jane Bardell is a Content producer in the Insurance and utilities team. She writes about home, car, pet and health insurance. Previously at CHOICE, she checked facts, figures and statistics as a Verifier with the Editorial and investigations team. Jane has a Bachelor of Science from the University of New South Wales.  Find Jane on LinkedIn.