{
  "vertical": "pet",
  "topic": {
    "slug": "alternative-therapy-cover",
    "title": "Alternative Therapy Cover in NZ Pet Insurance",
    "short_title": "Alternative therapy",
    "description": "Physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic — increasingly important for rehabilitation post-orthopaedic surgery. NZ pet insurers vary from excluded entirely to covered with vet referral, often with separate sublimits ($500-$1,500/yr). This page documents each insurer's alternative-therapy stance + sublimits + which professional credentials are accepted.",
    "fact_keys": [
      "alternative_therapy_cover"
    ],
    "keywords": [
      "pet physiotherapy NZ",
      "pet hydrotherapy",
      "veterinary acupuncture",
      "alternative therapy cover"
    ]
  },
  "snapshot": {
    "generated_at": "2026-05-18T08:27:31.134Z",
    "counts": {
      "insurers": 8,
      "products_total": 11,
      "products_active": 11
    },
    "wording_date_range": {
      "oldest_ingested_at": "2026-05-17",
      "newest_ingested_at": "2026-05-18"
    }
  },
  "products": [
    {
      "insurer": {
        "slug": "aa-pet",
        "name": "AA Pet Insurance"
      },
      "product": {
        "slug": "pet-policy",
        "name": "AA Pet Insurance Policy"
      },
      "wording_version": "2025-04-05",
      "source_url": "https://www.aa.co.nz/content/dam/nzaa/02-services/insurance/pet-insurance/documents/AAPetInsurancePolicyDocument.pdf",
      "confidence_tier": "verified",
      "primary_value": "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.",
      "values_by_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": {
        "product_facts": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/aa-pet/pet-policy/facts.json",
        "product_summary": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/aa-pet/pet-policy/summary.md",
        "product_wording": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/aa-pet/pet-policy/wording.md"
      }
    },
    {
      "insurer": {
        "slug": "cove-pet",
        "name": "Cove Pet Insurance"
      },
      "product": {
        "slug": "pet-insurance",
        "name": "Cove Pet Insurance"
      },
      "wording_version": "2026-05-18",
      "source_url": "https://www.coveinsurance.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pet-Insurance-Policy-CovePet012022.pdf",
      "confidence_tier": "verified",
      "primary_value": "Training, socialisation, therapy and alternative therapies including (but not limited to) homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, laser therapy, hydrotherapy, chiropractic treatments and/or physiotherapy are excluded.",
      "values_by_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": {
        "product_facts": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/cove-pet/pet-insurance/facts.json",
        "product_summary": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/cove-pet/pet-insurance/summary.md",
        "product_wording": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/cove-pet/pet-insurance/wording.md"
      }
    },
    {
      "insurer": {
        "slug": "pd-insurance",
        "name": "PD Insurance"
      },
      "product": {
        "slug": "pet-insurance-pds",
        "name": "PD Pet Insurance (PDS)"
      },
      "wording_version": null,
      "source_url": null,
      "confidence_tier": "unknown",
      "primary_value": null,
      "values_by_key": {},
      "endpoints": {
        "product_facts": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/pd-insurance/pet-insurance-pds/facts.json",
        "product_summary": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/pd-insurance/pet-insurance-pds/summary.md",
        "product_wording": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/pd-insurance/pet-insurance-pds/wording.md"
      }
    },
    {
      "insurer": {
        "slug": "petcover",
        "name": "Petcover (Petplan NZ)"
      },
      "product": {
        "slug": "catastrophe",
        "name": "Petcover Catastrophe Plan"
      },
      "wording_version": "2026-05-17",
      "source_url": "https://www.petcovergroup.com/nz/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/12/PCNZ-PDS_SOV-SN_Catastrophe-v14112022.pdf",
      "confidence_tier": "verified",
      "primary_value": "Not explicitly covered or excluded by name. 'Cold laser treatments' are listed as an excluded procedure. No mention of physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture or chiropractic.",
      "values_by_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": {
        "product_facts": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/petcover/catastrophe/facts.json",
        "product_summary": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/petcover/catastrophe/summary.md",
        "product_wording": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/petcover/catastrophe/wording.md"
      }
    },
    {
      "insurer": {
        "slug": "petnsur",
        "name": "PetNSur"
      },
      "product": {
        "slug": "rhodium",
        "name": "PetNSur Rhodium / Standard"
      },
      "wording_version": null,
      "source_url": null,
      "confidence_tier": "unknown",
      "primary_value": null,
      "values_by_key": {},
      "endpoints": {
        "product_facts": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/petnsur/rhodium/facts.json",
        "product_summary": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/petnsur/rhodium/summary.md",
        "product_wording": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/petnsur/rhodium/wording.md"
      }
    },
    {
      "insurer": {
        "slug": "southern-cross-pet",
        "name": "Southern Cross Pet Insurance"
      },
      "product": {
        "slug": "accipet",
        "name": "AcciPet (Accident-only)"
      },
      "wording_version": "2023-12-01",
      "source_url": "https://www.southerncross.co.nz/society/-/media/Southern-Cross-Pet-Insurance/Member-collateral/Plan-documents/Policy-docs/AcciPet-Policy-Doc.pdf",
      "confidence_tier": "verified",
      "primary_value": "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.",
      "values_by_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": {
        "product_facts": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/accipet/facts.json",
        "product_summary": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/accipet/summary.md",
        "product_wording": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/accipet/wording.md"
      }
    },
    {
      "insurer": {
        "slug": "southern-cross-pet",
        "name": "Southern Cross Pet Insurance"
      },
      "product": {
        "slug": "freecover",
        "name": "FreeCover (Trial)"
      },
      "wording_version": "2025-09-01",
      "source_url": "https://www.southerncross.co.nz/society/-/media/Southern-Cross-Pet-Insurance/Member-collateral/Plan-documents/Policy-docs/freecover-policy-Doc.pdf",
      "confidence_tier": "verified",
      "primary_value": "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.",
      "values_by_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": {
        "product_facts": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/freecover/facts.json",
        "product_summary": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/freecover/summary.md",
        "product_wording": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/freecover/wording.md"
      }
    },
    {
      "insurer": {
        "slug": "southern-cross-pet",
        "name": "Southern Cross Pet Insurance"
      },
      "product": {
        "slug": "petcare",
        "name": "PetCare (Comprehensive)"
      },
      "wording_version": "2023-12-01",
      "source_url": "https://www.southerncross.co.nz/society/-/media/Southern-Cross-Pet-Insurance/Member-collateral/Plan-documents/Policy-docs/PetCare-Policy-Doc.pdf",
      "confidence_tier": "verified",
      "primary_value": "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.",
      "values_by_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": {
        "product_facts": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/petcare/facts.json",
        "product_summary": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/petcare/summary.md",
        "product_wording": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/southern-cross-pet/petcare/wording.md"
      }
    },
    {
      "insurer": {
        "slug": "spca-pet",
        "name": "SPCA Pet Insurance"
      },
      "product": {
        "slug": "big-stuff",
        "name": "Big Stuff Cover"
      },
      "wording_version": "2026-05-17",
      "source_url": "https://www.spcapetinsurance.co.nz/documents/spca-pet-insurance-big-stuff-cover-policy-document.pdf",
      "confidence_tier": "verified",
      "primary_value": "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.",
      "values_by_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": {
        "product_facts": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/spca-pet/big-stuff/facts.json",
        "product_summary": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/spca-pet/big-stuff/summary.md",
        "product_wording": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/spca-pet/big-stuff/wording.md"
      }
    },
    {
      "insurer": {
        "slug": "spca-pet",
        "name": "SPCA Pet Insurance"
      },
      "product": {
        "slug": "the-works",
        "name": "The Works (Comprehensive)"
      },
      "wording_version": "2026-05-17",
      "source_url": "https://www.spcapetinsurance.co.nz/documents/spca-pet-insurance-the-works-cover-policy-document.pdf",
      "confidence_tier": "verified",
      "primary_value": "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.",
      "values_by_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": {
        "product_facts": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/spca-pet/the-works/facts.json",
        "product_summary": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/spca-pet/the-works/summary.md",
        "product_wording": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/spca-pet/the-works/wording.md"
      }
    },
    {
      "insurer": {
        "slug": "tower-pet",
        "name": "Tower Pet Insurance"
      },
      "product": {
        "slug": "pet-comprehensive-essentials",
        "name": "Pet Comprehensive + Essentials"
      },
      "wording_version": "2026-05-18",
      "source_url": "https://www.tower.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Pet_Comprehensive_Essentials.pdf",
      "confidence_tier": "verified",
      "primary_value": "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.",
      "values_by_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": {
        "product_facts": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/tower-pet/pet-comprehensive-essentials/facts.json",
        "product_summary": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/tower-pet/pet-comprehensive-essentials/summary.md",
        "product_wording": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/api/product/tower-pet/pet-comprehensive-essentials/wording.md"
      }
    }
  ],
  "canonical_url": "https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz/topics/alternative-therapy-cover/",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0 — attribute https://petinsurancecomparison.co.nz",
  "citation_note": "Each product.primary_value is a verbatim excerpt from the cited insurer wording PDF (source_url). For the authoritative answer in any specific case, refer to the source PDF."
}