Turns out that you do not need to panic sweat every time you see your pet insurance debit order come off because it will be an amount you can afford - if you follow these tips.

Most pet owners have contemplated the various ways in which they can get the most out of their pet insurance. And I totally get it. If a certain amount of money will be coming out of your account every single month you want to know that it’s worth it. Thankfully there are a number of ways that you can make a big difference with your insurance.

Alright, now that we’ve got the dramatic introduction out of the way, let’s not waste any more time.

Limit your pet’s exposure to risk

Okay okay, I know what you’re probably thinking, that this is an impossible task. I get it. Pets are naturally inquisitive and bound to get themselves into trouble. That being said, that doesn’t mean that we cannot put certain things in place to minimise their ability to get into harm’s way.

This means keeping up to date on foods that are poisonous for pets, keeping the bin securely closed and stowing away any sharp objects.

By reducing the number of risks in your household you are actively ensuring fewer veterinarian care claims which will, in turn, keep you away from higher premiums. By following this tip you’ll have a happy pet and a happy wallet and I’m not sure what more you could ask for.

Do your part

As a pet owner, it’s easy to put the responsibility of pet care on your vet. However, the onus is actually on you to actively help your pet lead a happy and healthy life. Taking care of your pet goes beyond frequent visits to the vet (although this is still crucial) because a lot of it actually happens in your home.

Help your pet insurer help you by adequately taking care of your pet. That means opting for healthy, nutritious, age-appropriate food for your pet. This means engaging them in both physical and cognitive activities and that includes your cat too! It means prioritising regular wellness activities like dental care and grooming, all of which can easily be done in the comfort of your home!

By keeping your pet holistically healthy you’re guaranteed to get the most out of your insurance as most policies include wellness cover. This means that you will work in tandem with your policy to enforce preventative care strategies which is undoubtedly the best form of care - and you can quote me on that!

Talk to your insurer

This too may seem rather odd if not completely misplaced, but just hear me out. When discussing small changes that make a big difference to your pet insurance policy, we cannot ignore the importance of having a good relationship with your insurer.

If you are going to be entrusting a business with your pet’s life, health and well-being, you need to trust them wholeheartedly. Far too often I see policyholders begrudgingly calling their insurance company with the feeling that the person on the other side of the line would rather be anywhere else.

The issue here is that not only are you wasting time and money but would rather risk misunderstanding certain parts of your policy than calling and double-checking. If you are even parting with a single Rand, you deserve to know EXACTLY where it is going. Signing a contract that you do not fully understand is a costly mistake.

In fact, the internet is filled with a number of heart-wrenching horror stories where pet parents were hit with medical bills they had assumed would be covered by their insurer.

Always remember that pet insurance shouldn’t be merely transactional. It is a relationship, and you should always feel comfortable asking questions about your policy, requesting advice and having all of the Ts & Cs carefully explained to you. This will save you from future arguments, debt and frustration.

Choose the right vet

Now just because your pet insurer is covering the cost of your vet bills doesn’t mean that you need to overdo it. When shopping around for your ideal veterinarian you should not only consider their proximity to your house, or medical accolades but assess their pricing structures too!

More often than not, pet owners will skip out on taking their pets to the vet because the costs are too high, so we do what we always do, chalk up their symptoms to it being “a bad day” or something that we will “monitor”. Even those with pet insurance become fearful of logging such exorbitant claim amounts, so once again, their pet’s medical health is put off for a few more days.

It truly is in your best interest to keep the excessive claims to a minimum. I do, however, think that it's worth noting that “cheap” isn’t always better. When exploring your various vet options make sure to do a deep dive into their various offerings and match it against the price tag!

Choosing the correct vet for you and your pet is seemingly a pretty small choice but the final outcome is major. Your pet insurer will put the work into covering those costs, the least you could do is find the right vet to walk this journey with you … at a price that doesn’t have you clutching at your chest.

Should you ever need additional guidance on the small things you can do to make a big difference with your pet insurance just click here. I’ve linked my personal pet insurer and their team is ready to answer any questions you may have - so shoot away!

Until next time,