Petcover (formerly Petplan NZ) is a specialist pet insurance provider in New Zealand, offering 9 plan options across three tiers for dogs, cats, horses, and exotic pets. Winner of Canstar's Most Satisfied Customers Pet Insurance Award 2025, Petcover covers over 250,000 pet owners and provides annual vet fee limits up to $20,000.
In This Review
What is Petcover and who's behind it?
Petcover is a specialist pet insurance provider operating in New Zealand since 2008, originally under the Petplan brand. In October 2021, the Petcover Group absorbed the Petplan NZ business and relaunched under the Petcover name with an expanded product range.
Founded by international pet industry experts Doug and Gwen Ford, the Petcover Group combines decades of insurance expertise with a focus on animal welfare. The company is registered as Petcover NZ Limited (FSP614229) and headquartered at 101D Station Road, Penrose, Auckland 1061. Policies are underwritten by Sovereign Insurance Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 342516).
Petcover serves over 250,000 pet owners across the group and reports that 93% of claims are paid out (June 2023 to March 2024), with 9 out of 10 claims processed within 5 days. The company won Canstar's Most Satisfied Customers Pet Insurance Award 2025, earning four 5-Star ratings and being the only brand to receive a 5-Star rating for Overall Satisfaction.
Unlike most NZ pet insurers that cover only dogs and cats, Petcover also insures horses, ponies, birds, reptiles, and small mammals. The company offers:
Petcover sells pet insurance directly to consumers via its website and over the phone (0800 255 426). Claims can be submitted online, and Petcover can pay your vet directly if you elect this option on the claim form. The company also partners with HealthCarePlus to offer pet cover through selected employers. Learn more about their company history and team.
How customers rate Petcover across major review platforms
Note on rating differences: Petcover shows a significant gap between its Canstar award (Most Satisfied Customers 2025, the only brand to earn 5-Star Overall Satisfaction) and its Trustpilot rating (2.3/5 from just 19 reviews). The very small Trustpilot sample may not be statistically representative. Canstar's methodology surveys a larger pool of actual customers. We weight ratings by review volume and methodology rigour. 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 42+ reviews across Trustpilot, Facebook, and Canstar data
Claim was processed in under a week and Petcover paid the vet directly. The online form was straightforward. No issues at all with our golden retriever's surgery claim.
The range of plans is impressive. We started on the Core plan and upgraded to Superior when our dog was diagnosed with a chronic condition. Umbrella for life cover gave us peace of mind.
Premiums have increased substantially year on year. Started at around $60 per month and now paying over $180 for our 9-year-old staffy. The age excess on top is frustrating.
Love that we can insure our cat and our two guinea pigs through the same provider. No one else in NZ covers exotic pets like Petcover does.
Submitted a claim and heard nothing for two weeks. Had to chase them multiple times via email and phone. When they finally responded, they only paid part of the claim.
Been with them since the Petplan days. The transition to Petcover was seamless and the product is broadly similar. Canstar award winner for a reason.
Reviews are paraphrased summaries of verified customer feedback. Theme percentages are based on our analysis of available Trustpilot, Facebook, and Canstar customer satisfaction data as of March 2026.
Petcover offers 9 plans across three tiers for dogs and cats, plus cover for horses and exotic pets
The most comprehensive cover with the lowest excess and "umbrella for life" continuous coverage. Three levels - Entry ($10,000), Mid-point ($15,000), and Superior ($20,000) annual limits. Includes alternative therapy, third-party liability up to $5 million, death benefits, and boarding fees. Full details at petcovergroup.com.
Flexible plans with a choice of co-payment (10%, 20%, or 30%) and excess ($0, $100, or $200). Three levels - Core ($5,000), Vital ($10,000), and Key ($15,000) annual limits. Includes cruciate ligament cover and cancer treatment sub-limits.
Lower-cost options for basic cover. Economy ($7,000 annual limit) covers vet consultations and alternative treatment. Catastrophe 1 ($5,000) and Catastrophe 2 ($10,000) offer higher excess options ($450 or $900) for reduced premiums.
Cover for horses and ponies aged 30 days to 29 years. Includes vet fees, mortality cover, and optional extras such as saddle and horse float insurance. Full details at petcovergroup.com.
Cover for birds, reptiles, turtles, guinea pigs, goats, rats, mice, and chinchillas. One of the few NZ pet insurance options for non-traditional pets. Full details at petcovergroup.com.
The good and the not-so-good based on customer reviews and our analysis
How much does Petcover pet insurance cost? Indicative examples based on market analysis
Petcover pricing varies by species, breed, age, plan level, excess, and co-payment percentage. With 9 plans and multiple excess/co-payment combinations, there is a wide range of price points. The Catastrophe plans are among the cheapest pet insurance options in NZ, while the Superior plan sits at the premium end. Here are indicative examples:
Disclaimer: These are indicative estimates based on publicly reported pricing and market comparisons, not official Petcover quotes. Your actual premium will vary based on your pet's breed, age, location, and selected plan options. Get an accurate quote at petcovergroup.com/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 than cats. Certain breeds (e.g. French Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels) are classified as "select breeds" with higher premiums and earlier age restrictions due to higher veterinary costs.
Premiums increase with your pet's age. Additionally, age-based co-payments apply - 20% once your pet turns 8 (or 4 for select breeds) and 35% once they turn 10 (or 7 for select breeds).
Nine plans across three tiers - Safety-net (Economy, Catastrophe 1, Catastrophe 2), Mid-range (Core, Vital, Key), and Superior (Entry, Mid-point, Superior). Higher tiers cost more but provide higher annual limits and broader cover.
Choose from $0 to $900 excess depending on the plan. Higher excess means lower monthly premiums. Superior plans have a fixed $175 excess; Catastrophe plans offer $450 or $900.
Mid-range plans let you choose 10%, 20%, or 30% co-payment. A higher co-payment reduces premiums but means you pay more of each claim. Superior plans have no standard co-payment (age excess still applies).
Discount available when insuring 3 or more eligible pets with Petcover. This can make a meaningful difference for households with multiple animals.
Petcover vs. other NZ pet insurance providers
| Feature | Petcover | PD Insurance | Southern Cross Pet | Cove | AA Pet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 7.2/10 Editorial | 4.6/5 Trustpilot | 3.5/5 | 4.7/5 Trustpilot | 3.8/5 |
| Number of Plans | 9 plans | 3 plans | 3 tiers + FreeCover | 1 plan | 1 plan (flexible) |
| Max Annual Limit | $20,000 | $20,000 | $15,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Excess Options | $0 - $900 | $100 - $200 | $0 - $500 | $0 - $500 | $0 - $500 |
| Co-payment | 10-30% (plan dependent) | No co-payment | 10-30% | 20% | 20% |
| Animals Covered | Dogs, cats, horses, exotics | Dogs, cats | Dogs, cats | Dogs, cats | Dogs, cats |
| Starting Price (Dog) | ~$29/mo | ~$30/mo | ~$30/mo | ~$25/mo | ~$46/mo |
| Claims Speed | 90% within 5 days | Within 2 business days | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Canstar Awards | Most Satisfied 2025 | Canstar rated | Canstar rated | N/A | Canstar rated |
| Umbrella for Life | Superior plans | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available |
Disclaimer: Ratings are aggregated from Trustpilot, Canstar, Facebook, and other publicly available sources. Features and pricing may change - verify directly with the insurer. Cove is an insurance brand, not an 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
Fast claims (within 2 business days), no co-payment, and no lock-in contracts. Three straightforward plans - Accident ($5,000), Classic ($10,000), and Deluxe ($20,000). Commonly chosen by pet owners who value simplicity and speed. Get a quote at pd.co.nz.
Part of NZ's largest health insurer. PetCare (comprehensive), AcciPet (accident-only), and FreeCover (6 weeks free for puppies/kittens 6-26 weeks). May suit those who already have Southern Cross health insurance.
Digital-first insurance brand with strong Trustpilot ratings. Simple plans with no lock-in contracts and monthly billing. May suit pet owners who value a streamlined digital experience.
One flexible plan with annual limits of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. Includes complimentary VetChat membership for video consultations with NZ vets. AA member discounts apply. Get a quote at aa.co.nz.
Petcover may suit some pet owners more than others
Petcover is one of the few NZ providers insuring horses, birds, reptiles, and small mammals alongside cats and dogs. Pet owners with non-traditional animals have very few alternatives. The multi-pet discount (3+ pets) adds further value for larger pet households.
The Superior plan offers up to $20,000 annual vet fees with "umbrella for life" cover for ongoing conditions. This is among the highest coverage available in the NZ pet insurance market, and the continuous cover means chronic conditions remain covered for life.
The Catastrophe plans start from around $15/month with higher excesses ($450 or $900), making them some of the most affordable pet insurance options in NZ. The Economy plan at $20/month for cats offers no age limit for first-time cover.
Pet owners wanting no co-payment (PD Insurance offers this), those concerned about age-related premium increases and additional co-payments at age 8+, or owners of select breeds who face earlier age restrictions. Also not ideal for those wanting a purely NZ-based underwriter, as Petcover is underwritten by an Australian company.
Compare.org.nz's editorial assessment of Petcover
With 9 plans across three tiers and the ability to insure dogs, cats, horses, birds, reptiles, and small mammals, Petcover offers the widest range of pet insurance options in New Zealand. The Canstar Most Satisfied Customers Pet Insurance Award 2025 - where Petcover was the only brand to earn 5-Star Overall Satisfaction - is a strong endorsement from a large surveyed customer base. The 93% claims payout rate and 5-day processing for 9 out of 10 claims are solid operational metrics.
The flexibility of Petcover's plans is a notable advantage. From Catastrophe plans starting around $15/month through to Superior plans with $20,000 annual limits and umbrella for life cover, pet owners can find a price point and coverage level to match their circumstances. The range of excess ($0 to $900) and co-payment (10-30%) options adds further customisation. The ability to insure exotic pets through the same provider is unmatched in NZ.
However, the low Trustpilot rating of 2.3/5 (albeit from a small sample of 19 reviews) and customer reports of steep premium increases over time are concerns worth noting. The age-based co-payments (20% at age 8, 35% at age 10) can significantly increase out-of-pocket costs for older pets. The Australian underwriter means dispute resolution may involve the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) rather than a local body, though the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) may also be available for NZ-based complaints.
Common questions about Petcover
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 Petcover and consider seeking professional advice for your specific situation. Pet insurance is regulated by the FMA. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
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