Is Dental Insurance in New Zealand Worth It?

Written By Brett Sargent

If you're moving to New Zealand, or even already here, you’ll quickly discover that dental care isn’t publicly subsidised and can be expensive. Regular checkups fillings and braces can add up fast. So is dental insurance worth it? Let’s break it down clearly.

How Dental Insurance Works

Southern Cross (SX)

  • HealthEssentials plan covers 75 percent of eligible dental costs up to an annual limit

  • Wellbeing One Two and UltraCare plans offer a Vision and Dental add on also 75 percent capped at around $750 per year

  • There is no guaranteed policy wording. Policies can change over time even for existing members. Southern Cross has removed or reduced benefits in the past

NIB

  • Covers dental under its Everyday Standard (60 percent $750 cap) and Everyday Premium (80 percent $1,000 cap) plans

  • These plans include orthodontics (like braces) after a 12 month waiting period

What About Braces for Kids?

This is a key question for families. Will insurance help with the cost of braces?

  • Braces are expensive often $6,000 to $10,000 per child

  • Most plans offer only partial reimbursement limited by annual caps and subject to waiting periods

  • It may help a bit but won’t cover anywhere near the full cost

Is It Worth It?

In short dental insurance in NZ often doesn’t cover you for a large enough amount to justify the premiums.

  • You might pay $400 to $700 per year in premiums yet only get $700 in benefits if you're lucky

  • SX’s $750 cap doesn’t offer much more than the cost of the premiums themselves

  • Insurance is meant to protect against large unpredictable risks not to justify routine costs or operate as a paper shuffling reimbursement scheme

A Better Way?

  • Self insure If you're generally healthy consider saving the equivalent of the premium each year instead

  • Use insurance strategically If you’re already buying health coverage and can add dental for a small extra cost it may be worth it for peace of mind

  • Always check the fine print Waiting periods annual caps exclusions all matter

  • Remember Insurers like Southern Cross can change policy terms at any time. What’s covered today may not be covered tomorrow

Dental insurance in New Zealand is limited and often not the safety net people expect. For most healthy individuals and families simply budgeting and saving for dental care yourself is often a more cost effective and predictable approach. We advise on life insurance, income protection and medical insurance which are vitally important for most people, but it is very rare for us to have clients applying for dental insurance.

Brett Sargent
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