Pet Insurance could save you a ton of money if something were to happen to your family pet
Anyone who has a pet might have heard that you can get pet insurance for your furry friends. However, you may be asking yourself, what is pet insurance? What does it cover? Why does my pet need it? So, to help you consider whether it is right for your family and pet, we have put together a rundown of what you need to know about pet insurance!
First, things first – what is pet insurance?
Pet insurance will cover either the full or partial cost of Veterinary services for injuries and illness on your beloved friend.
What does it cover?
This will all depend on the plan that you go with, however in general pet insurance can cover consultations, specialist care, surgery, diagnostic and post-operative treatment, imaging, prescription medicines and drugs. The specific details of your insurance cover will be in the policy so be sure to read and understand it before you sign up fully.
How much will this cost me?
The cost of pet insurance will all depend on the policy you apply for and the type of animal and breed it is. Other factors that can influence the cost is the age of your pet, size, whether they are desexed or not, spend more time indoors or outdoors or is an active or inactive pet. Discuss the options with your chosen provider.
Why should I get pet insurance?
We all know vet bills can be huge! Pet insurance can make it more affordable to get your pet the help they need especially in an emergency or unexpected health issue.
What pets can be covered?
Most pet insurances are just available for dogs and cats. It is best to apply for pet insurance when your friend is between the age of 8 weeks and 6 years old (some breeds need to be insured earlier). Just like human life insurance pet insurance can become more expensive as your pet ages.
Is there anything pet insurance will not cover?
Yes, each plan is unique to your circumstances, however, in general, most pet insurances will not cover the following:
- a pre-existing condition (known or not), including conditions that develop during the stand down period, unless specifically agreed when applying for cover
- any illness in the first 21 days or cruciate ligament claims in the first 90 days
- maltreatment of your pet or failure to protect your pet
- some infectious diseases (e.g. flu, distemper, calicivirus, herpes, feline leukemia, etc.)
- treatment related to elective procedures, cosmetic, congenital conditions, breeding or psychiatric care
- organ transplant, joint replacement
- pandemic diseases or failure to vaccinate
- euthanasia (voluntary or related to exclusions)
To be on the safe side always refer to your pet insurance policy wording for full details on all exclusions.
Who offers pet insurance in New Zealand?
Three leading providers offer pet insurance in New Zealand:
Southern Cross Pet Insurance (previously Ellenco)
Pet-n-sure
Petplan. Petplan policies are underwritten in New Zealand by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited (Incorporated in Australia) trading as Allianz New Zealand, which is part of the global insurance provider Allianz Group.
Does it expire?
Pet insurance won’t expire unless you choose not to renew it annually.
Is it really worth it?
This is entirely up to you and your families personal financial situation. It could save you a ton of money if something were to happen to your family pet. We recommend crunching some numbers to see if a pet insurance plan fits within your budget!
We never expect anything bad to happen to our furry little friends. Life, in general, is expensive. Therefore pet insurance can be a lifesaver in last minute unexpected pet emergencies. It can allow you to make a quick decision on your pet’s health without the worry of the financial cost. Overall, we recommend checking it out and seeing if it is something your family and pet could benefit from!
