One of the most important things to understand about cat insurance is waiting periods — the gap between when your policy starts and when you're actually covered.
Standard Waiting Periods in NZ (2026)
| Coverage Type | Typical Waiting Period |
|---|---|
| Accidents | 0 days (immediate) |
| Illness | 14 days |
| Dental illness | 6 months |
| Hereditary conditions | 6 months |
| Orthopaedic conditions | 6 months (some insurers) |
Why Waiting Periods Exist
Waiting periods prevent people from taking out insurance only after their cat is already sick. Without them, the entire insurance model would collapse as people would only insure sick animals.
What Happens if My Cat Gets Sick During a Waiting Period?
If your cat develops a condition during the waiting period, that condition will likely be excluded as a pre-existing condition. This is why it's critical to insure your cat while they are healthy.
Key Tip: Don't Delay
The longer you wait to take out insurance, the more opportunity there is for a new condition to develop and be excluded. Take out cover now — even basic accident cover — to start your waiting periods.
Emma is a retired NZ veterinarian with 20 years of experience in small animal practice. She contributes expert veterinary perspective to help cat owners understand what insurance really covers.
