New Zealand has a reputation for being a nation of animal
lovers, with over 4.35 million pets calling Aotearoa home.
Supporting this sentiment, Southern Cross Pet Insurance is
sharing its top 10 insured breeds. They are also revealing
the highest claims for 2023 showing some of the costs of pet
healthcare.
Renowned for their friendly temperament
and loyal disposition, Labradors, Cavoodles, and Golden
Retrievers came out on top as the most popular canine
companions insured by Southern Cross Pet Insurance in terms
of volume. Domestic Short Hair, Ragdoll, and Domestic Medium
Hair cats also placed, proving their diverse personalities
and distinctive traits ensure a top 10 ranking for our
feline friends.
Top 10 breeds of pets insured by
Southern Cross Pet Insurance by number:
- Domestic
Short Hair cat - Labrador
Retriever - Cavoodle
- Ragdoll
cat - Domestic Medium Hair cat
- Golden
Retriever - Miniature Schnauzer
- Labrador
Cross - Labradoodle
- Border
Collie
Proud pet parent to three dogs and two
cats, Southern Cross Pet Insurance Chief Executive, Anthony
McPhail said, “Looking at our numbers it’s clear New
Zealanders have firm furry favourites. Throughout 2023 we
saw a 20 per cent increase in the number of domestic short
haired cats insured last calendar year while policies for
Ragdoll cats went up by 26 per cent and coverage for
Cavoodles has grown by 19 per cent.
“As treasured
family members and constant companions, these beloved
animals bring immeasurable happiness to households
nationwide. So, it makes sense that New Zealanders would be
eager to have one of them join their family.”
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While
animals enrich our lives, they can prove costly – whether
the expense is due to routine check-ups and care or an
unexpected event. What matters most to Southern Cross Pet
Insurance is helping owners look after their pets and
ensuring our pets live longer, healthier and happier
lives.
McPhail said, “Unlike healthcare options
available to humans, there is no free public health system
or ACC for pets. Whether an animal is having a routine
treatment is ill or being cared for after an accident, the
reality is many pet parents are surprised by the costs of
veterinary treatment.
“Treatment for covered skin
conditions bites, wounds and tendon problems can often cost
much more than owners might expect and may require more than
one trip to the vet. Our records show an average visit can
cost nearly $350 for cats and $500 for dogs – highlighting
the costs that an owner can incur for even the most routine
issues.”
From 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023,
Southern Cross Pet Insurance paid out a total of $29.95
million in claims, with some claims in excess of
$10,000.
Most expensive claims paid:
| Breed | Diagnosis | Claim amount paid |
| Pug | Traumatic injury | $14,119 |
| Border Collie | Traumatic injury | $13,149 |
| Labradoodle | Cancer (Haemangiosarcoma) | $12,652 |
| Ragdoll | Traumatic injury | $12,023 |
| English Springer Spaniel | Fracture | $11,444 |
| Golden Retriever | Foreign body – ingestion | $11,091 |
| German Shepherd | Tumour | $10,733 |
| Leonberger | Kidney Stones | $10,202 |
| Dalmatian | Urinary bladder disorder | $10,192 |
“It’s
clear that when it comes to protecting the pet life, people
need to think about how they would pay for potentially high
treatment costs. Pet insurance is an excellent way to get
peace of mind and provides invaluable protection against
these unexpected expenses,” said
McPhail.
© Scoop Media
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