Cat Insurance Policies NZ
When you’re the loving owner of a furry feline, it’s only natural that you’ll want the best for them and do everything in your power to make sure they’re happy and healthy. Due to their often adventurous and daring nature, cats are sometimes at risk of getting lost or injuring themselves - which is where pet insurance comes in. If your cat just came home from the store or shelter, all ready to become part of the family, you would be forgiven for forgetting about cat insurance in all the excitement - but just remember, for your and your cat’s sake, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
What Is Cat Insurance?
Cat insurance is a bill you pay at an agreed rate every week, month or year that keeps your pet covered in case anything happens to them. If your furry friend gets in a fight, takes a fall, gets lost or falls ill, you can rest easy knowing that the insurance company will cover you for any and all expenses relevant to your insurance plan. That way, when the unexpected happens, you can file a claim to your pet insurance provider and make sure your feline family member gets the care they deserve right when they need it.
Why Get Cat Insurance?
Cat insurance is a great way to avoid any nasty surprises when your pet gets hurt or ill. Vet bills can get pricey, so it means that you won’t have to front thousands of dollars when the time comes that your pet gets themselves in a pinch. It happens - cats will be cats, and that sometimes involves climbing, jumping, getting underfoot, fighting and eating strange and unmentionable ‘food’ items. Cat insurance is your fallback for the day your cat comes home a little worse for wear - so you can give them the care they need.
Types of Cat Insurance
There are several different types of insurance, all with their own pros and cons. The most popular are comprehensive cat insurance, dental cover cat insurance and accident only cat insurance. Read on to find out a little more about each.
Comprehensive Pet Cover
Comprehensive pet cover does what it says on the tin - protects your pet from any and all unavoidable harm including broken bones, illness, fighting and other ailments. It means you can rest easy knowing that your cat is in safe hands if anything goes wrong.
Dental Cover For Pets
Hate going to the dentist? We bet your cat does too - but that doesn’t mean it’s not important and sometimes vital for the health of your furry friend. Dental cover means you’ll never be met with any nasty surprises when your can chips a tooth or bites something a little harder than expected.
Accident Only Insurance
This is a good option for pet owners who want to work to a budget, but still have great insurance cover for their pet should anything unexpected happen. This way you can pay a little less, but still have the right care when an accident befalls the family feline.
Which Providers Offer Cat Insurance?
There are several providers throughout New Zealand who provide cat insurance, the most notable of which are PetPlan, Southern Cross, AA, Pet-N-Sur and Countdown. Read more about each of these providers below.
PetPlan Cat Insurance
PetPlan is a great option for your pet insurance because, unlike other providers, it is a company focused solely on your household pets. PetPlan has a number of plans that range from basic to comprehensive cover - you can get Essential cover for one year of insurance, or Ultimate insurance for your pets entire life.
Southern Cross Cat Insurance
Southern Cross makes it nice and simple to get pet insurance cover, offering two distinct plans to meet all your pet insurance needs. PetCare is Southern Cross’s comprehensive pet insurance, covering everything from illness to injury. AcciPet, as the name would suggest, covers accidents only.
AA Cat Insurance
It’s quite obvious to most that cars and cats don't mix - despite this (or perhaps because of it), AA offers cat insurance plans to suit every eventuality (car related or not). There are three plans that AA offers - Essentials for those on a budget, Accident for accidents only, and Comprehensive for any and every eventuality.
Pet-N-Sur Cat Insurance
Pet-N-Sur cat insurance is another pet-specific insurance provider, making sure you're covered when something happens to your beloved furry family member. Pet-N-Sur has lots of plans starting at Surgery-only cover to Silver, Gold and Platinum - the works, as you’d expect.
Cat Insurance FAQs
Is it Worth it to Get Cat Insurance?
When you’ve just dropped lots of money on an expensive pet, insurance is probably the last thing on your mind. But the fact is, sometimes things happen that you least expect where your pets are concerned, and those who’ve had something happen will tell you it’s better to be safe than sorry!
How Much Does Cat Insurance Usually Cost?
It all depends on your breed of cat, the age of your cat and the length of time you’re getting insured for. Usually, though, cat insurance costs anywhere from $1000 to $9000.
Can I Get Insurance For All My Pets?
Yes - in fact, it’s quite a good idea.Pet insurance means you’re not going to be out of pocket when your cat gets in a fight or takes a fall, and it means your feline friend will get the care they need at the time when it’s most crucial.
