There’s nothing quite like the welcome you get from a pet. Whether it’s a dog wagging its whole body when you walk through the door, or a cat curling up on your lap with that low, contented purr, they have a way of making a house feel like a home. But as every pet owner knows, with all the joy comes a certain responsibility – not just emotional, but financial too. That’s why more Kiwis are turning to pet insurance to help with unexpected costs, and why Cove has made it simple for families to get peace of mind.
Why vet bills can surprise you
Anyone who’s ever had a midnight dash to the emergency vet knows the sinking feeling of worrying about both your pet’s wellbeing and the bill that comes with it. Unlike people, our pets don’t have ACC or public healthcare in New Zealand. When something goes wrong, the cost falls directly to the owner.
Routine visits – vaccinations, worming, check-ups – are usually affordable. But accidents and illnesses can quickly mount up. A broken bone from a misjudged leap might cost several thousand dollars. Cancer treatment for a beloved cat can also run into the thousands. Even common issues like skin allergies often mean months of medication and follow-up visits.
“I often hear from people who talk about the cost of the basics when considering pet insurance,” says Andy Coon, CEO of Cove. “But just like us, pets can develop complex health conditions or have serious accidents. You can’t predict when it will happen – and that’s what catches people out.”
When pet emergencies become reality
Across New Zealand, vets regularly treat emergencies that start with something simple – a dog swallowing a sock or a cat injured in a late-night fight. The treatment for these kinds of mishaps can run into the thousands. It’s a reminder of how quickly pets can get into trouble, and why many owners now see pet insurance as an important part of being prepared.
And these aren’t rare, one-off situations. New Zealanders adore their animals – around 63% of households have at least one pet – yet only a fraction insure them. That means many families are still paying large vet bills out of pocket.
A recent survey found that almost one in four New Zealand pet owners are constantly struggling with the cost of caring for their animals, while another third say it’s a challenge from time to time. With the vet industry now worth more than a billion dollars a year and treatments becoming more advanced – from knee reconstructions to MRI scans – costs are only heading in one direction.
Why insurance offers peace of mind
For many, pet insurance feels a bit like car insurance. You hope you’ll never need it, but you’re grateful when you do. Cove, which started out offering car insurance before expanding into pets, sees the same pattern play out time and again.
“When people are weighing up whether to insure, I usually ask how they’d respond at the vet faced with a big bill.” adds Coon. “You don’t buy insurance expecting something bad to happen. You buy it so you’ll never have to make an impossible choice between your financial health and your best mate.”
Being a prepared pet parent
Part of loving a pet is being practical. That might mean setting aside a little emergency fund, knowing the location of your nearest 24-hour clinic, and keeping up with routine check-ups. But the bigger step is having cover in place for the unexpected.
Because while our pets can’t tell us when they’re in pain, they rely on us to act quickly – and the last thing you want is to hesitate because of the cost.
In the end, owning a pet is one of life’s great joys. Protecting them with insurance is simply another way of saying: “I’ve got your back, no matter what.”
Find out more about pet insurance from Cove.
Images supplied by sponsor
