# Alternative therapies (physio, hydrotherapy, acupuncture) — clause matrix across NZ pet insurers > Non-traditional therapies prescribed by a vet — physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, laser therapy, chiropractic. Often used post-surgery or for chronic conditions. **Why it matters:** Some policies cover; some don't. When covered, sub-limits typically apply and a vet-referral may be required. **Vertical:** pet · **Condition:** alternative-therapy · **Species:** both · **Snapshot:** 2026-05-18T08:27:31.134Z **Source:** Each product's policy wording PDF (linked per row). License: CC BY 4.0 — attribute https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz. --- ## AA Pet Insurance — AA Pet Insurance Policy **Wording version:** 2025-04-05 · **Confidence:** verified · **Key:** `alternative_therapy_cover` > Training, socialisation, alternative and complementary medicines and therapies including (but not limited to) homeopathy, naturopathy, Chinese medicine, Ayurveda and cannabinoids, acupuncture, physiotherapy, laser therapy, light therapy, shockwave therapy, hydrotherapy, massage and chiropractic treatments are excluded under Section 4 – General Exclusions. **Endpoints:** - Structured facts: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/aa-pet/pet-policy/facts.json - Full wording: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/aa-pet/pet-policy/wording.md - Source PDF: https://www.aa.co.nz/content/dam/nzaa/02-services/insurance/pet-insurance/documents/AAPetInsurancePolicyDocument.pdf --- ## Cove Pet Insurance — Cove Pet Insurance **Wording version:** 2026-05-18 · **Confidence:** verified · **Key:** `alternative_therapy_cover` > Training, socialisation, therapy and alternative therapies including (but not limited to) homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, laser therapy, hydrotherapy, chiropractic treatments and/or physiotherapy are excluded. **Endpoints:** - Structured facts: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/cove-pet/pet-insurance/facts.json - Full wording: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/cove-pet/pet-insurance/wording.md - Source PDF: https://www.coveinsurance.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pet-Insurance-Policy-CovePet012022.pdf --- ## Petcover (Petplan NZ) — Petcover Catastrophe Plan **Wording version:** 2026-05-17 · **Confidence:** verified · **Key:** `alternative_therapy_cover` > Not explicitly covered or excluded by name. 'Cold laser treatments' are listed as an excluded procedure. No mention of physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture or chiropractic. **Endpoints:** - Structured facts: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/petcover/catastrophe/facts.json - Full wording: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/petcover/catastrophe/wording.md - Source PDF: https://www.petcovergroup.com/nz/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/12/PCNZ-PDS_SOV-SN_Catastrophe-v14112022.pdf --- ## Southern Cross Pet Insurance — AcciPet (Accident-only) **Wording version:** 2023-12-01 · **Confidence:** verified · **Key:** `alternative_therapy_cover` > We don't cover alternative treatment. Alternative treatments are: acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic manipulation, massage therapy, osteopathy (or treatments of a similar nature). We do cover hydrotherapy provided by a member of the New Zealand Association of Canine Hydrotherapists. Physiotherapy is covered as qualifying treatment. **Endpoints:** - Structured facts: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/accipet/facts.json - Full wording: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/accipet/wording.md - Source PDF: https://www.southerncross.co.nz/society/-/media/Southern-Cross-Pet-Insurance/Member-collateral/Plan-documents/Policy-docs/AcciPet-Policy-Doc.pdf --- ## Southern Cross Pet Insurance — FreeCover (Trial) **Wording version:** 2025-09-01 · **Confidence:** verified · **Key:** `alternative_therapy_cover` > We don't cover alternative treatment. Alternative treatments are things like: acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic manipulation, massage therapy, osteopathy (or treatments of a similar nature). Note: physiotherapy is listed as qualifying treatment and is covered. **Endpoints:** - Structured facts: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/freecover/facts.json - Full wording: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/freecover/wording.md - Source PDF: https://www.southerncross.co.nz/society/-/media/Southern-Cross-Pet-Insurance/Member-collateral/Plan-documents/Policy-docs/freecover-policy-Doc.pdf --- ## Southern Cross Pet Insurance — PetCare (Comprehensive) **Wording version:** 2023-12-01 · **Confidence:** verified · **Key:** `alternative_therapy_cover` > Alternative treatments (acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic manipulation, massage therapy, osteopathy or treatments of a similar nature) are excluded from the base policy. Cover for alternative treatments can be added via day-to-day care extra, which pays up to $75 per visit up to $300 per policy period total across all day-to-day care items. No co-payment applies to day-to-day care extra; no excess applies to extra cover. **Endpoints:** - Structured facts: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/petcare/facts.json - Full wording: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/petcare/wording.md - Source PDF: https://www.southerncross.co.nz/society/-/media/Southern-Cross-Pet-Insurance/Member-collateral/Plan-documents/Policy-docs/PetCare-Policy-Doc.pdf --- ## SPCA Pet Insurance — Big Stuff Cover **Wording version:** 2026-05-17 · **Confidence:** verified · **Key:** `alternative_therapy_cover` > Excluded. Training, socialisation, therapy, and alternative therapies including (but not limited to) homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, laser therapy, hydrotherapy, chiropractic Treatments and/or physiotherapy are not covered. **Endpoints:** - Structured facts: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/spca-pet/big-stuff/facts.json - Full wording: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/spca-pet/big-stuff/wording.md - Source PDF: https://www.spcapetinsurance.co.nz/documents/spca-pet-insurance-big-stuff-cover-policy-document.pdf --- ## SPCA Pet Insurance — The Works (Comprehensive) **Wording version:** 2026-05-17 · **Confidence:** verified · **Key:** `alternative_therapy_cover` > Excluded. Training, socialisation, therapy, and alternative therapies including (but not limited to) homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, laser therapy, hydrotherapy, chiropractic Treatments and/or physiotherapy are listed as general exclusions. **Endpoints:** - Structured facts: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/spca-pet/the-works/facts.json - Full wording: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/spca-pet/the-works/wording.md - Source PDF: https://www.spcapetinsurance.co.nz/documents/spca-pet-insurance-the-works-cover-policy-document.pdf --- ## Tower Pet Insurance — Pet Comprehensive + Essentials **Wording version:** 2026-05-18 · **Confidence:** verified · **Key:** `alternative_therapy_cover` > Alternative therapy means acupuncture, behavioural therapy, Bowen therapy, herbal therapy, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, laser therapy, massage therapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) or similar therapies where they are administered by, prescribed by or supervised by a vet to treat, or to complement treatment for your pet's illness or injury. Sub-limit: $500 (Comprehensive) or $350 (Essentials) per period of cover, subject to 20% co-payment. **Endpoints:** - Structured facts: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/tower-pet/pet-comprehensive-essentials/facts.json - Full wording: https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/tower-pet/pet-comprehensive-essentials/wording.md - Source PDF: https://www.tower.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Pet_Comprehensive_Essentials.pdf --- **9** of 11 indexed products have on-file cover language for this condition. **Canonical URL:** https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/conditions/alternative-therapy/