{
  "vertical": "pet",
  "insurer": {
    "slug": "tower-pet",
    "name": "Tower Pet Insurance",
    "brand_family": "tower"
  },
  "product": {
    "slug": "pet-comprehensive-essentials",
    "name": "Pet Comprehensive + Essentials",
    "status": "active",
    "positioning_summary": null
  },
  "wording": {
    "version": "2026-05-18",
    "ingested_at": "2026-05-18T05:42:38.570662+00:00",
    "pdf_hash": "c7025db5147ada28aeb4e828195e0564e3caa5df0cb082f19a95d9ac62f7a0ba",
    "source_url": "https://www.tower.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Pet_Comprehensive_Essentials.pdf",
    "page_count": null
  },
  "confidence_tier": "verified",
  "facts": {
    "exclusions": [
      "Pre-existing conditions",
      "Any condition which first presented its signs or symptoms or which was first diagnosed during any claims waiting period",
      "Any condition where the diagnosis is inconclusive, but where the customary treatment is similar to customary treatment for any condition which is not covered, or for which any relevant sub-limit has been exhausted",
      "Hereditary conditions which first manifest before your pet's 2nd birthday",
      "Congenital conditions",
      "Brachycephalic airway syndrome (elongated soft palate, stenotic nares, everted laryngeal saccules, laryngeal collapse and tracheal hypoplasia)",
      "Any declared epidemic causing widespread illness to cats or dogs",
      "Any treatment administered or prescribed by a person who is not a qualified vet, veterinary nurse or technician, or alternative therapist",
      "Organ transplants, stem cell transplants or joint replacements",
      "Ectoparasites (such as fleas) or endoparasites (such as intestinal worms)",
      "Experimental treatment, or treatment or medication which is not approved by the Ministry of Primary Industries or the Veterinary Council of New Zealand",
      "Breeding, pregnancy, obstetrics and birth (including caesarean sections)",
      "Canine parvovirus, canine distemper, canine infectious hepatitis, kennel cough, leptospirosis, feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopaenia, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline chlamydiosis unless pet was up to date with vaccinations at the time signs or symptoms first presented",
      "Failure to provide all reasonable care for your pet's health and wellbeing or failure to reasonably protect your pet from illness or injury",
      "Malicious acts, mistreatment, deliberate injury or gross negligence towards your pet caused by you, any member of your immediate family, or any other person who normally resides with you and your pet",
      "Any amounts charged by your vet for providing information in relation to your claim",
      "Postage, courier fees or administration costs",
      "War, riot, civil commotion, terrorism, natural disaster or similar events",
      "The destruction of your pet due to any court or council order",
      "Your business or occupation, or your pet being used for the purpose of any business, occupation (with the exception of assistance dogs), hunting or sport",
      "Any treatment, expenses or events occurring after your policy end date (unless renewed without lapse)",
      "Treatment outside of New Zealand",
      "House visits unless moving your pet would endanger its life or significantly worsen its illness or injury",
      "After-hours treatment unless your vet confirms an emergency consultation was essential",
      "Treatment undertaken for cosmetic purposes or costs associated with grooming",
      "Testing or procedures to determine suitability of your pet for breeding or genealogical purposes",
      "Transport or boarding expenses (under Section 1)",
      "Food, including food prescribed by a vet",
      "Any medication, vitamins, supplements or pheromone products available over the counter without a prescription",
      "The cost to hire or purchase medical equipment including Elizabethan collars, cages, crates, housing, prosthetics or orthotics",
      "Dental treatment or treatment of oral disease except as specifically covered",
      "Post-mortem and non-essential euthanasia",
      "Working dogs (except assistance dogs)"
    ],
    "cover_types": [
      "Comprehensive",
      "Essentials",
      "Optional Benefit (Dental Care)"
    ],
    "dental_cover": "Dental treatment is excluded under Section 1 – Vet Expenses unless: (a) treatment is described in the policy definition of routine care (Comprehensive Plan only), or (b) a serious and traumatic accident occurs and the dental treatment is carried out directly to repair serious injuries to your pet's face. Optional Benefit (Dental Care) under Section 3 (additional premium required, added/removed at renewal only, 90-day waiting period, upper age limit 8 years for all breeds) covers: Gingivitis, Abscesses, Dental disease, Cavities, Tooth fracture, Retained deciduous teeth — up to $350 per period of cover (Comprehensive and Essentials), subject to 20% co-payment. Routine dental check-ups and dental scale and polish are excluded unless required to treat a listed covered dental condition.",
    "co_pay_percent": "20% mandatory co-payment for all Plans, applied to every treatment claimed under Section 1 – Vet Expenses and Section 3 – Optional Benefit (Dental Care).",
    "species_covered": [
      "dog",
      "cat"
    ],
    "behavioural_cover": "Alternative therapy as defined includes behavioural therapy where administered by, prescribed by or supervised by a vet to treat, or to complement treatment for your pet's illness or injury, covered up to $500 (Comprehensive) or $350 (Essentials) per period of cover under the alternative therapy sub-limit.",
    "annual_benefit_nzd": {
      "Essentials": 7000,
      "Comprehensive": 15000
    },
    "excess_options_nzd": [],
    "multi_pet_discount": "No multi-pet discount terms are stated in this policy wording.",
    "pre_existing_rules": "Pre-existing condition means any conditions, or, any medical or physical signs, symptoms or circumstances in relation to your pet: (1) which you are aware of, or which a reasonable person in your circumstances ought to have been aware of; or (2) for which veterinary advice, care, treatment or medication has been sought, given or recommended; or (3) which has been diagnosed as a condition, or which are indicative of a condition; or (4) which are of such a nature to require, or may potentially require veterinary attention; or (5) which are of such a nature as would have caused a prudent, reasonable person to seek veterinary attention for their pet, prior to the start date of your policy, or prior to the date any applicable claims waiting period ceases. Any new condition, or any sign or symptom of a new condition which first presents within the claims waiting period will be treated in the same way as a pre-existing condition and will not be covered.",
    "entry_age_max_years": {
      "select_breeds": 5,
      "standard_breeds": 8
    },
    "entry_age_min_months": 2,
    "waiting_periods_days": {
      "illness": 14,
      "accident": 0,
      "routine_care": 14,
      "dental_optional_benefit": 90
    },
    "renewal_age_cap_years": "No upper age cap on renewal; cover continues for life provided the policy is renewed without any lapse. Upgrades and new policies are not available after the pet reaches the upper age limit (8 years standard breeds, 5 years select breeds).",
    "boarding_kennel_benefit": "Section 2.2 Owner Hospitalisation (Emergency Boarding Fees): If you are unexpectedly hospitalised during your period of cover, we will pay emergency boarding fees for your pet provided that you are hospitalised for at least three consecutive days and nights, and you are the sole carer of your pet. Maximum: $700 (Comprehensive) or $350 (Essentials). Excludes: pregnancy; cosmetic or elective surgery; foreseeable hospitalisation prior to policy start date; costs where another household member can reasonably look after your pet.",
    "per_condition_limit_nzd": "No separate per-condition limit; sub-limits apply for: Cruciate ligament surgery ($1,500 Comprehensive / $800 Essentials), Patella surgery ($1,500 Comprehensive / $800 Essentials), Specialist treatment non-life threatening ($4,000 Comprehensive / $2,000 Essentials), Alternative therapy ($500 Comprehensive / $350 Essentials), Routine care ($100 Comprehensive only, max 2 claims x $50). Ongoing conditions are capped at the benefit limit of the plan in force when the condition first presented.",
    "death_by_illness_benefit": "Section 2.1 Funeral Costs: If your pet passes away within your period of cover, we will contribute $100 towards the cost of cremation or burial (both Comprehensive and Essentials), provided clinical notes from your vet regarding the cause of death and a receipt for cremation or burial are supplied. Will not pay if the cause of death would otherwise be excluded under the policy. Post-mortem and non-essential euthanasia are excluded under Section 1.",
    "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.",
    "bilateral_conditions_rule": "The policy defines 'Condition' as: any injury or illness suffered by your pet, and for the purpose of this definition, any presentation of an illness with the same diagnosis, signs or symptoms, or resulting from the same disease process, regardless of the number of incidents or areas of your pet's body affected shall be considered a single condition (e.g. all occurrences of otitis (ear infection) will be classified as the same condition). No explicit bilateral condition rule is stated, but this definition implies both sides of a bilateral condition are treated as a single condition.",
    "hereditary_congenital_rules": "Hereditary conditions which first manifest before your pet's 2nd birthday are excluded. Congenital conditions are excluded entirely. Hereditary condition means a genetic condition which is passed down through your pet's bloodline, and which is commonly breed specific. Congenital condition means a congenital anomaly or developmental defect which is present at birth but may not manifest until later in your pet's life."
  },
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    "history": "/api/product/tower-pet/pet-comprehensive-essentials/history.json"
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  "generated_at": "2026-05-18T08:27:32.143Z",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0 — attribute https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz"
}