Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Pet Protect underwritten by?
   Pet Protect is underwritten by one of New Zealand’s most reputable insurers, IAG New Zealand Limited which is also part of Australasia’s largest general insurance group, IAG. IAG New Zealand owns well-known and respected insurance brands NZI and State. It also carries a Standard Poor’s rating of ‘AA- very strong’.
   IAG New Zealand was also the recipient of the 2008 Best Plain English Document Award designed to eliminate confusing jargon and fine print from insurance policies.
2. Why do I need to insure my pet?
   Pet Protect provides the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing that if your pet has an accident or falls ill, you can afford to give them the care they deserve.
   Many people have no idea that if their dog is hit by a car it could cost thousands to treat the resulting injuries, or if their cat jumped from a great height and displaced its hip, it could cost $2000 to treat. These are unexpected costs that many pet owners have not budgeted for and, unfortunately, some people are forced to put their pets down, simply because they cannot afford the necessary treatment.
3. What are Pet Protect’s products?
   Pet Protect has three primary care plans that cater for most budgets and breeds: Value Care, Regular Care and Extra Care.
   Our website features a full breakdown of each plan complete with details on maximum cover, minimum excess, monthly and annual premiums and the percentage of cover provided by Pet Protect.
4. How do I know which product is best for me?
   There are four key factors you need to consider when selecting a Pet Protect plan:
   • What proportion of the total cost of treatment are you prepared to meet yourself?
   • How much are you able to claim within each treatment category?
   • Is your pet a Select Breed of dog?
   • How old is your pet? (pets above a certain age attract a higher premium)
5. How much of my vet fees will Pet Protect pay?
   This differs depending on the plan that you choose, however, Pet Protect will pay between 70 to 80 per cent of your vet bills.
   Our website features a full breakdown of each plan complete with details on maximum cover, minimum excess, monthly and annual premiums and the percentage of cover provided by Pet Protect.  
6. What is Pet Protect’s maximum veterinary pay out per year?
   Pet Protect pays to the full value of the policy limit that you choose. Once you have claimed the maximum cover of your policy, a new policy needs to be taken.
   Our website features a full breakdown of each plan complete with details on maximum cover, minimum excess, monthly and annual premiums and the percentage of cover provided by Pet Protect.
7. What is the no-claims bonus on these policies?
   A no-claims bonus of 10% is paid as a discount on the following year’s premium on Pet Protect’s three primary care plans which include Value, Regular and Extra.
8. Does Pet Protect provide insurance cover for all pets?
   No, we currently provide insurance for cats and dogs only.
9. Does Pet Protect provide cover for ongoing medical conditions?
   In most cases, Pet Protect provides up to six months of cover for an illness or accident. However, we are currently considering reviewing our existing policies to extend this beyond six months.
10. Does Pet Protect have any hidden insurance exclusions?
    Pet Protect has no hidden exclusions – what you see is what you get. For example our Extra Care Plan total cover may only be $6000, but $6000 is exactly what you can claim. The only time we impose a limitation on cover is when your dog requires treatment for cruciate ligament problems.
    In addition, Pet Protect doesn't artificially distinguish between the cost of diagnosis and the cost of treatment. We treat these items separately, which means you could be able to claim more under one of our policies.
11. Are there any situations where Pet Protect will not provide cover?
    Pet Protect will not approve a claim that relates to congenital or hereditary conditions, or relating to those conditions that particular breeds have shown a predisposition towards. We strongly advise our customers to find out what, if any, conditions particular breeds can suffer from before they purchase a pet. A good resource for this can be found at Canada’s Guide To Dogs.
    We will also not insure some select breed dogs over 8 years old (a list of these breeds is also available on our website www.petprotect.co.nz)
12. Does Pet Protect cover alternative medicine/treatment?
    No, we only cover treatment under referral from a registered vet. However, this does include rehabilitation such as physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and hyperbaric treatment.
13. Can Pet Protect make payment directly to the vet?
    Pet Protect cannot pre-approve claims because of cost variations between clinics and regions, so we do require you to pay the full costs of veterinary care first. However, at Pet Protect we provide a swift claims service, with payment direct credited into your bank account within 15 working days for approved claims.
14. What’s involved in making a claim?
    Making a claim couldn’t be easier and customers just need to follow 5 simple steps.
1. After the consultation, ask your vet for a copy of the clinical records relating to this visit.
2. Download a claim form
3. Complete the form
4. Attach original invoices for your vet and clinical records
5. Send it in to Pet Protect
15. How quickly can Pet Protect make pay outs? At Pet Protect we aim to provide a swift claims service, with payment direct credited into your bank account within 15 working days for properly completed and approved claims.