{
  "vertical": "pet",
  "topic": {
    "slug": "behavioural-cover",
    "title": "Behavioural Cover in NZ Pet Insurance",
    "short_title": "Behavioural cover",
    "description": "Anxiety, aggression, compulsive behaviours, separation anxiety, noise phobia — most NZ pet insurers historically excluded behavioural conditions entirely. The market is shifting: some now cover veterinary-behaviourist consultations + behaviour-modifying medication, often with separate sublimits. This page documents each insurer's behavioural-cover stance + which professional credentials are required for claims (veterinarian vs veterinary behaviourist vs trainer).",
    "fact_keys": [
      "behavioural_cover"
    ],
    "keywords": [
      "behavioural cover",
      "pet anxiety insurance",
      "veterinary behaviourist NZ",
      "pet aggression 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": "Behavioural conditions including (but not limited to) anxiety disorders, phobias or chemical imbalances are excluded under Section 4 – General Exclusions.",
      "values_by_key": {
        "behavioural_cover": "Behavioural conditions including (but not limited to) anxiety disorders, phobias or chemical imbalances 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": "Behavioural conditions including (but not limited to) anxiety disorders, phobias or chemical imbalances are excluded.",
      "values_by_key": {
        "behavioural_cover": "Behavioural conditions including (but not limited to) anxiety disorders, phobias or chemical imbalances 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 described as a named benefit. 'Condition' is defined to include 'deviant behaviour'. No specific behavioural cover sublimit or veterinary behaviourist requirement is stated.",
      "values_by_key": {
        "behavioural_cover": "Not explicitly covered or described as a named benefit. 'Condition' is defined to include 'deviant behaviour'. No specific behavioural cover sublimit or veterinary behaviourist requirement is stated."
      },
      "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 any behavioural or psychological conditions, which are things like anxiety disorders, depression, aggression, excessive barking. We also don't cover treatment related to behavioural or psychological conditions, such as products or medications, training, socialisation, behavioural therapy, psychological therapy.",
      "values_by_key": {
        "behavioural_cover": "We don't cover any behavioural or psychological conditions, which are things like anxiety disorders, depression, aggression, excessive barking. We also don't cover treatment related to behavioural or psychological conditions, such as products or medications, training, socialisation, behavioural therapy, psychological therapy."
      },
      "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 any behavioural or psychological conditions, which are things like: anxiety disorders, depression, aggression, excessive barking. We also don't cover treatment related to behavioural or psychological conditions, such as: products or medications, training, socialisation, behavioural therapy, psychological therapy.",
      "values_by_key": {
        "behavioural_cover": "We don't cover any behavioural or psychological conditions, which are things like: anxiety disorders, depression, aggression, excessive barking. We also don't cover treatment related to behavioural or psychological conditions, such as: products or medications, training, socialisation, behavioural therapy, psychological therapy."
      },
      "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": "Behavioural or psychological conditions are not covered. This includes anxiety disorders, depression, aggression, excessive barking, and treatment related to behavioural or psychological conditions such as products or medications, training, socialisation, behavioural therapy, and psychological therapy.",
      "values_by_key": {
        "behavioural_cover": "Behavioural or psychological conditions are not covered. This includes anxiety disorders, depression, aggression, excessive barking, and treatment related to behavioural or psychological conditions such as products or medications, training, socialisation, behavioural therapy, and psychological therapy."
      },
      "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. Behavioural Conditions including (but not limited to) anxiety disorders, phobias, or chemical imbalances are not covered.",
      "values_by_key": {
        "behavioural_cover": "Excluded. Behavioural Conditions including (but not limited to) anxiety disorders, phobias, or chemical imbalances 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. Behavioural Conditions including (but not limited to) anxiety disorders, phobias, or chemical imbalances are listed as general exclusions.",
      "values_by_key": {
        "behavioural_cover": "Excluded. Behavioural Conditions including (but not limited to) anxiety disorders, phobias, or chemical imbalances 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 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.",
      "values_by_key": {
        "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."
      },
      "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/behavioural-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."
}