PD Insurance is a New Zealand pet insurance specialist launched in 2020 and underwritten by Pacific International Insurance. With three plan tiers, no co-payments, no age-based loadings, and claims paid within two business days, we have analysed ratings from Trustpilot, Google, and Canstar to give you the full picture.
In This Review
What is PD Insurance and who's behind it?
PD Insurance is a New Zealand pet insurance specialist that launched in August 2020. Unlike general insurers that offer pet cover alongside car and home products, PD Insurance focuses exclusively on insuring dogs and cats. The company is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, which has operated in New Zealand for over 20 years.
PD Insurance is a division of Pacific International Insurance and wholly owned by Badger International, a South Africa-based insurance group. Its sibling brand dotsure.co.za is South Africa's leading pet insurer. CEO Brad Hogan founded Badger International over 25 years ago, bringing extensive global pet insurance experience to the NZ market.
Headquartered in Auckland, PD Insurance operates primarily through a digital model with a local team providing sales, marketing, and customer support. The company is registered with the Companies Office NZ and is a member of the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) Scheme. PD Insurance is also regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).
PD Insurance has won several industry awards, including the 2022 Canstar Most Satisfied Customers Award for Pet Insurance (the only provider to earn 5 stars for Overall Satisfaction) and the 2024 Reader's Digest Quality Service Silver Award. The company also has a partnership with Dogs New Zealand (DogsNZ) and supports the Department of Conservation (DOC). PD Insurance offers:
PD Insurance sells cover directly to consumers via pdinsurance.co.nz. Claims can be submitted online 24/7 through their claims portal and are typically paid within two business days. The company offers month-to-month billing with no lock-in contracts, and new customers who buy online receive their first month free. A 5% multi-pet discount applies when insuring two or more pets under the same policy. Learn more on their About Us page.
How customers rate PD Insurance across major review platforms
Note on ratings: PD Insurance maintains strong ratings across both consumer review platforms and industry awards. The Trustpilot score of 4.0/5 from 142 reviews and Google rating of 4.4/5 from 200+ reviews reflect generally positive customer experiences, particularly around claims speed and the no co-payment model. The Canstar 5-star rating for Overall Satisfaction is a notable achievement. We weight ratings by review volume and consider all available data sources. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Common themes from 340+ reviews across Trustpilot, Google, and industry award data
Our dog needed emergency treatment after being hit by a car. PD Insurance paid the full claim within two days with no excess fuss. Genuinely impressed.
The no co-payment feature is a game-changer. With other insurers we were paying 20% on top of the excess. PD covers 100% of eligible costs which gives real peace of mind.
We had a claim declined because of a pre-existing condition we did not even know about. The appeals process felt slow and one-sided. Check your pet's full history before signing up.
Signed up online in minutes, first month free, and the Deluxe plan even includes dental. Great product at a fair price for our two cats.
The 180-day waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions is frustrating. Our dog needed surgery at month four and we had to pay out of pocket. Read the fine print.
Have had PD for three years now across two dogs. Claims are always quick and the team is responsive when we have questions. The multi-pet discount is a nice bonus.
Reviews are paraphrased summaries of verified customer feedback. Theme percentages are based on our analysis of the most recent 200 reviews across Trustpilot and Google as of March 2026.
PD Insurance is a pet-only insurer offering three plan tiers for dogs and cats
Covers treatment for accidents plus third party liability with a $5,000 annual benefit limit. This is PD Insurance's most affordable option, covering injuries such as choking, being hit by a car, and other unforeseeable incidents. Does not cover illness.
PD Insurance's most popular plan, covering everything in the Accident plan plus treatment for a wide range of illnesses including hereditary conditions after a 180-day waiting period. $10,000 annual benefit limit.
The most comprehensive plan from PD Insurance, covering everything in the Classic plan plus $500 dental cover at no extra cost. $20,000 annual benefit limit provides the highest level of financial protection.
The good and the not-so-good based on customer reviews and our analysis
How much does PD Insurance cost? Indicative examples based on market analysis
PD Insurance pricing varies by species, breed, age, and the plan level you choose. As a pet-only specialist, their plans are competitively priced with the key advantage of no co-payments and no age-based loadings. You also choose your excess level ($100, $150, or $200) - a higher excess means a lower monthly premium. Here are indicative examples:
Disclaimer: These are indicative estimates based on publicly reported data and market comparisons, not official PD Insurance quotes. Your actual premium will vary based on your pet's species, breed, age, and location. Get an accurate quote at pdinsurance.co.nz. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Dogs generally cost more to insure than cats. Larger breeds and breeds with known health predispositions (e.g. Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels) typically attract higher premiums than mixed breeds or smaller dogs.
Older pets cost more to insure due to higher veterinary risk. PD Insurance covers pets from 6 weeks old. While there are no age-based loadings on payouts, premiums are still influenced by your pet's age at sign-up.
Three tiers from Accident ($5,000 limit) through Classic ($10,000) to Deluxe ($20,000). Higher tiers cost more but cover illness and dental in addition to accidents.
Choose $100, $150, or $200 excess per condition. A higher excess reduces your monthly premium but increases your out-of-pocket cost when making a claim. The excess is a one-off charge per condition.
Insure two or more pets under the same policy and receive a 5% discount on your base premium. This can make a meaningful difference for multi-pet households.
Vet costs vary across New Zealand. Urban areas (especially Auckland and Wellington) tend to have higher veterinary fees, which can influence your premium compared to regional areas.
PD Insurance vs. other NZ pet insurance providers
| Feature | PD Insurance | Southern Cross Pet | Cove | AA Pet | Petcover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 7.6/10 Editorial | 7.8/10 | 4.7/5 2,381 reviews | 4.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Plan Tiers | 3 plans | 2 plans + FreeCover | 3 plans | 3 plans | 3 plans |
| Max Annual Limit | $20,000 | $15,000 | $15,000 | $12,000 | Unlimited (top plan) |
| Co-Payments | None - 100% covered | 10-30% co-payment | 20% co-payment | 20% co-payment | 20% co-payment |
| Age-Based Loadings | None | Yes - reduces payouts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Excess Options | $100 / $150 / $200 | $100 / $250 / $500 | $150 / $300 | $100 / $200 / $300 | $100 / $200 |
| Dental Cover | Deluxe only ($500) | Optional add-on | Not included | Top plan only | Included (top plan) |
| Claims Speed | 2 business days | 5-10 business days | 3-5 business days | 5-10 business days | 5-10 business days |
| Free Puppy/Kitten Cover | Not offered | FreeCover (6 weeks) | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Awards | Canstar 2022, RD 2024 | RD Most Trusted 8yr | 4.7/5 Trustpilot | AA brand trust | Canstar rated |
Disclaimer: Ratings are aggregated from Trustpilot, Google, Canstar, and other publicly available sources. Features and pricing may change - verify directly with the insurer before purchasing. Cove is an insurance brand, not a traditional insurer. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Other NZ pet insurers worth considering, depending on your priorities
Part of NZ's largest and most trusted insurer. Offers PetCare and AcciPet plans plus FreeCover (6 weeks free for puppies and kittens 6-26 weeks). May suit those wanting a brand backed by NZ's biggest not-for-profit health insurer.
Digital-first insurance brand with competitive pricing and a strong 4.7/5 Trustpilot rating from 2,381 reviews. Also offers car insurance. Monthly billing with no lock-in contracts.
Backed by the trusted AA brand. Part of a full insurance suite including car and home. May suit those who want all their insurance products under one brand with AA Membership benefits.
Offers an unlimited annual benefit limit on its top plan, which is rare in the NZ market. Part of the Petcover Group operating across Australasia. May suit those prioritising the highest possible cover limits.
PD Insurance may suit some pet owners more than others
PD Insurance is one of the few NZ pet insurers that pays 100% of eligible vet bills with no co-payment on any plan. This is commonly chosen by pet owners who want to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs beyond the fixed excess.
Unlike most NZ pet insurers, PD Insurance does not apply age-based loadings that reduce your payout percentage as your pet gets older. This may suit owners of senior pets who want consistent coverage levels throughout their pet's life.
PD Insurance pays claims within two business days on average - faster than most competitors. The 24/7 online claims portal and streamlined process are commonly praised in customer reviews.
Pet owners wanting insurance bundled with car or home cover, or those needing cover for exotic pets (PD only insures cats and dogs). The 180-day waiting period for hereditary and cruciate conditions may also not suit owners of breeds prone to these issues.
Compare.org.nz's editorial assessment of PD Insurance
PD Insurance has carved out a strong position in the NZ pet insurance market since launching in 2020. The no co-payment, no age-based loading approach is a genuine differentiator - most competing products apply a 20% co-payment and/or reduce payouts as pets age. The 2022 Canstar Most Satisfied Customers Award (with 5-star Overall Satisfaction) and the 2024 Reader's Digest Quality Service Silver Award provide third-party validation of their customer experience.
Claims processing speed is a standout - two business days is significantly faster than the industry average of 5-10 business days. The three-tier plan structure (Accident, Classic, Deluxe) is straightforward to understand, and the choice of $100, $150, or $200 excess gives flexibility. The Deluxe plan's inclusion of $500 dental cover is a useful addition that many competitors charge extra for or do not offer at all.
However, the 180-day waiting periods for cruciate ligament, patella luxation, hereditary conditions, and dental illness are long compared to some competitors. Congenital conditions are excluded entirely. As a pet-only insurer, PD Insurance cannot offer the convenience of bundling pet cover with car or home insurance. The company is also relatively new to NZ (since 2020), which may concern those who prefer established heritage providers, though the parent group Badger International has over 25 years of global insurance experience.
Common questions about PD Insurance
How we research and rate insurance companies
This review is based on data collected from the following sources, last verified in March 2026:
Our editorial scores (out of 10) are calculated using a weighted methodology that considers:
Disclaimer: Nothing on this page constitutes financial advice. Scores are editorial opinion based on publicly available data. Always verify details directly with PD Insurance and consider seeking professional advice for your specific situation. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
See how PD Insurance stacks up against other NZ pet insurers. Compare plans, pricing, and features in minutes.
Compare Now →