Last updated 5th July 2023
Taking 5 minutes to compare dog insurance could not only save you thousands over the life of your dog, but it could also ensure that you have a policy that covers everything you need it to!
Read our guide below on how to compare dog insurance in New Zealand.
Hey there, fellow Kiwi dog lovers! We all know how much our fur babies mean to us, right? They’re like family! That’s why it’s time to talk about how to compare dog insurance – which we feel is the ultimate way to make sure our pups get the care they deserve without breaking the bank.
Picture this: your adorable pooch suddenly falls sick or has a little accident. Yikes! With dog insurance, you don’t have to worry about those vet bills piling up. It’s like having a safety net for your furry best friend! From check-ups and vaccinations to those unexpected emergencies, insurance has got your back. So, you can focus on giving belly rubs and treats instead of stressing about the costs.
The problem is, dog insurance isn’t always cheap! (Read our cheap dog insurance guide here if you’re after a bargain!)
Start your comparison process with some of the dog insurance providers listed below. These aren’t all the dog insurance companies in NZ, but they are some of the main ones, and getting quotes from these companies will get you off on the right foot.
Nearly all these companies can do everything online, so getting a quick dog insurance quote from each of them will take about 2 minutes per quote. These brands aren’t listed in any particular order, so pick and choose the brands that sound best to you.
Important Note: Please review our transparency statement in the footer of every page on this website. No brands above are a recommendation from Compare.org.nz or an indication that a brand or product is the best in its category. We do not compare all pet insurance brands available in New Zealand, so it is important for you to do thorough research and compare all options and find the right product for you, based on your own personal circumstances.
Get your own quotes as these quotes are only a snapshot in time. Pet insurance prices can change frequently, so you might find different prices for these scenarios if re-done today.
When you start to compare dog insurance you’ll quickly realise that each brand names their own policies something different.
You’ll notice some brands keep it straightforward and talk about their ‘Comprehensive’, ‘Essential’, or ‘Major’ policies, which are all pretty self-explanatory or at least give a hint as to what sort of policies it is (thanks Tower and Cove!).
Whereas others name their policies after rocks (looking at you, Pet-n-Sur!)
However, in general, there are two distinct types of dog insurance in NZ: accident only, and accident and illness.
Before you even start comparing dog insurance, think about what type of dog insurance policy it is that you actually want.
Do you want to have cover for only those nasty accidents, such as your dog getting hit by a car? If so, you’ll want to look at an accident-only policy. (Check out Cove or Pet-n-Sur)
But if you want coverage for illness as well, then you should look at a policy that covers this – but be aware that you will pay higher premiums!
So now you know what type of dog insurance policy you want, you need to understand what you’ll be looking at when actually comparing different dog insurance brands.
The two main things (besides the policy itself) is the price you’ll pay, which is also called the premium, and the excess.
The “excess” is the amount you’ll pay when you make a claim. For example, if you have a $500 excess, and you take your pet to the vet and get a bill for a few thousand dollars, you’ll still have to pay whatever excess you have on the policy.
Let’s take a closer look at these two factors below, since they are pretty important to understand when you compare dog insurance.
The most popular dogs in NZ are the Labrador Retriever, Huntaway,Border Collie, New Zealand Heading Dog, Jack Russel Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the German Shepherd.
Since these dogs are so common, most pet insurance companies in NZ are well set up to insure them and manage the claims on them.
In saying that, most of the brands have over 500 breeds listed (if you include cross-breeds), so you should have no trouble insuring most breeds of dogs. If your dog isn’t on the drop-down list of breeds you can select, it is probably because it is one of the few excluded breeds.
There is no “best” dog insurance in NZ. All brands have good policies, but it does pay to shop around to ensure you are getting bang for buck. There are many pet insurance reviews all around the web, so take a minute to read not just this site, but to read some social media reviews as well as Google reviews.
For your reference we’ve done a range of quotes and prepared a ‘menu’ of sorts, so you can see what each dogs will cost to insure. We’ve tried to include the most popular and common dogs in NZ, along with some small dogs and large dogs. These quotes are from the pet insurance brands listed on this page – mainly Southern Cross Pet Insurance.
Labrador retievers are the most common dog breed in NZ. They care relatively cheap to insure compared to some other large dogs, and most pet insurance brands in NZ will happily cover them (unless they are too old). Labradors can suffer from a range of hereditary eye disorders, as with many other breeds. They can also suffer from hip and elbow dysplasis which can be both painful for them, and also lead to mobility issues.
The Huntaway is generally a very healthy breed, which is partly why it is such a common dog breed in New Zealand. A few conditions to keep on your radar are hip dysplasia and cancer. You'll find every pet insurance company in NZ is happy to insure a Huntaway, assuming it meets their other underwriting guidelines such as within the age limits.
Border Collies are good safe breeds and generally have few health problems. If you're looking for a breed that won't cost you a fortune in vet visits, then consider a Border Collie. However, as with other breeds, Border Collies can suffer from hereditary eye disorders. Epilepsy is also a bit more common for Border Collies.
The New Zealand Heading Dog was made to be a working dog - so be careful when insuring yours at a pet insurer as many exclude working dogs from being able to be insured in the first place. They are active dogs and will keep you busy with plenty of walks, but keep in mind they can be sound sensitive.
The Jack Russel Terrier is a favourite with many Kiwis - it's a small playful dog which comes in a few varieties. They are energetic and playful, and a favourite with the kids,.
There isn't a huge amount to worry about when considering a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They are a strong breed which have few issues to worry about should you be considering adopting one. There are a few things to keep an eye out for, as with every dog, and these include some hereditary eye disorders.
Overall the Miniature Schnauzer is a healthy breed which you shouldn't have too much trouble insuring. There are a few health issues to keep an eye out for however, such as diabetes and bladder stones. Miniature Schnauzers can also suffer from high blood fat levels.
There are a range of health problems known to affect German Shepherds. These include gastrointestinal diseases and a disease of the spinal cord. When adopting a German Shepherd be sure to have a good talk with the breeder and have a discussion around any DNA testing they have done, or plan to have done.
The Chihuahua has a number of known health issues that you should be aware of before choosing this breed. Due to the shape of their head they can be prone to hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and eye problems. Additionally, as with many small dog breeds, their kneecaps may temporarily slip out of place (patella luxation).
In writing this article we reviewed other websites throughout NZ that also compare pet insurance, social media posts related to pet insurance, and recent news articles about pet insurance. Some of these sources we used are below:
