What to look for in pet insurance

Pet insurance gives your pets the care they need, when they need it, without leaving you worrying about the cost. Choosing the right policy can protect against unexpected vet bills, cover chronic conditions, and provide peace of mind for every stage of your pet’s life.

Jump to:

• Why compare
• Key things to compare
• Common mistakes
• Key questions to ask

Why comparing pet insurance really matters

Not all pet insurance policies are created equal and choosing a policy isn’t as simple as picking the cheapest option or the first one you see. Policies can differ in what they cover, how long they cover it for, and what they exclude.

Two policies might look similar on the surface but offer very different levels of protection when your pet actually needs care. That’s why comparing pet insurance matters. Taking the time to look at the details now can help make sure your pet gets the best possible care later without unpleasant surprises or gaps in cover when it matters most.

The key things to compare when choosing a policy

When you’re comparing pet insurance in NZ, price is only one part of the picture. Here are the most important things to look at before you decide.

The type and scope of cover

Most pet insurance policies fall into one of these categories:

• Accident-only cover is the most basic option. It usually helps if your pet is injured in an accident, such as breaking a leg. It won’t cover illnesses, infections, or long-term health issues.
• Accident and illness cover goes a step further. It covers injuries as well as common illnesses like ear infections, stomach issues, or skin conditions. For many pet owners, this offers a better balance between cost and cover.
• Comprehensive cover is the highest level of protection. It generally includes accidents, illnesses, and ongoing conditions, making it a popular choice for pets that may need long-term care.

You’ll also see different benefit styles, which affect how long claims can be made:

• Lifetime cover means your pet can be covered for the same condition year after year, with the benefit limit resetting annually. For example, if your dog develops arthritis, treatment can continue to be covered every year, not just once.
• Maximum benefit cover sets a total amount you can claim per condition. Once that limit is reached, that condition is no longer covered.
• Time-limited cover allows claims for a condition only for a set period, often 12 months, starting from the date your pet is first diagnosed or shows symptoms.

Always check the annual benefit limit, along with any sub-limits or caps. A policy might look generous at first, but limits on specific treatments can reduce how much you can actually claim. For example, even with a $15,000 annual limit, a surgery sub-limit of $3,000 could mean you pay the rest yourself.

Hereditary, congenital, and breed-specific conditions

Some pets are more likely to develop certain conditions because of their breed or genetics. Unfortunately, many insurers place exclusions or limits on these issues.

That’s why lifetime cover is so important. Without it, cover for things like hip problems or heart conditions may run out even though your pet still needs treatment.

Chronic and recurring conditions

Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or ongoing skin issues don’t usually go away. They often need treatment for life.

Policies without lifetime cover may only help for a short period. With lifetime cover, your pet can keep getting the care they need year after year, as long as the policy stays active.

Pre-existing conditions and waiting periods

A pre-existing condition is any illness or symptom your pet had before the policy started (or during a waiting period). These usually aren’t covered. These conditions are usually excluded from cover, even if they come back later or need ongoing treatment.

Waiting periods are short timeframes at the start of a policy when certain claims can’t be made yet. For example, accidents may be covered after a few days, while illnesses often have a longer waiting period.

This is why insuring your pet early is a smart move. The earlier you take out cover, the less likely your pet is to have exclusions, giving you broader protection as they get older.

How claims are handled and paid

When your pet needs care, you want claiming to be quick and stress-free. Look for policies that let you:

• Submit claims online with minimal paperwork
• Get reimbursed fast so you’re not waiting weeks
• Use direct-to-vet payment, so you don’t have to pay the full bill upfront

A simple claims process makes it much easier to focus on your pet, not the paperwork.

Excesses, co-payments, and real value

Cheaper premiums can be tempting, but they often come with trade-offs that affect how much help you actually get when your pet needs care. Common catches include:

• Higher excesses – the fixed amount you pay each time you make a claim. A low premium might mean you pay more out of pocket per visit.
• Co-payments – this is where you pay a percentage of the vet bill. Many policies increase the co-payment as your pet gets older.
• Lower benefit limits – some policies cap how much you can claim for certain treatments or per year, which could leave you covering large bills yourself.

Instead of focusing only on the monthly cost, look at the overall value and how much support you’ll actually get when you need it.

Age limits and lifetime renewability

Some policies reduce cover or stop offering certain benefits as pets age.

Choosing a policy with lifetime renewability helps make sure your pet stays covered at the same level, year after year, even as they get older.

Transparency and customer service

Clear policy wording matters. So does being able to talk to a real person when you need help.

Before choosing a policy, check:

• How easy it is to contact the insurer
• Whether the policy documents are easy to understand
• Reviews from other pet owners

Good service makes a big difference when you need support quickly.

Common mistakes pet owners often make

It’s easy to overlook key details when comparing pet insurance, and small mistakes can cost you later. Some common pitfalls include:

• Choosing based on price instead of cover – a cheaper policy might save you money now but could leave you paying big bills for certain treatments.
• Skipping the fine print – exclusions, waiting periods, and sub-limits are often buried in the policy wording. Missing these can lead to denied claims.
• Assuming benefits stay the same every year – some policies reduce cover as your pet gets older or stop covering certain conditions.
• Not checking sub-limits or excess amounts – even if the overall annual limit looks high, there may be caps on surgery, diagnostics, or specialist care that affect what you can actually claim.

Taking a little extra time upfront to read the details and ask questions can save a lot of stress (and money) later on.

The key questions to ask before buying or switching

Before you sign up or switch policies ask yourself:

• Are hereditary and chronic conditions covered for life?
• Are there any breed or age restrictions?
• What is the annual benefit limit, and are there sub-limits?
• How easy is it to make a claim and get paid?
• Will cover stay the same as my pet gets older?
• What exclusions and waiting periods apply at the start?

If these answers aren’t clear, it may be worth looking elsewhere.

What sets Petcover apart

Petcover is designed to give long-term confidence, not short-term fixes. Some key benefits include:

• Lifetime continuity through Umbrella for Life cover
• No breed-specific condition exclusions, if symptoms weren’t pre-existing
• Cover for dogs, cats, horses, and exotic pets
• Up to $20,000 in annual cover on eligible plans
• Direct-to-vet payment options and fast claims processing
• Backed by a global brand with a dedicated New Zealand-based team

The right pet insurance means peace of mind knowing your pet can get the care they need, whenever they need it, throughout their life.